to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Planning a trip to St. Mary’s? Here’s all the information you’ll need for a magical trip into the heart of Nottingham’s legendary past.
St Mary’s has been the heart of religious action in Nottingham since it was founded in the kingdom of Mercia under the Danes. Although first recorded in the Domesday book of 1086, the current church was built much later, dating to around 500 years ago. When you visit the church, there are many hidden gems you won’t want to miss!
To make sure you don’t miss out, we’ve compiled a list of all the must see items within the church…
1. The Chantry Door
The chantry door is the oldest door in Nottingham dating way back to the 1370s!
2. The South Porch Doors
These beautiful bronze doors were designed by architect Henry Wilson in 1905! They depict the New Testament in ten ornate scenes. The doors depict God in relation to the virgin Mary - to whom the church is dedicated. In the spandrels above the door, life and death is symbolized by the doves, who enter weary and leave strongly - symbolizing eternity and the regeneration of the soul.
3. Scout Window
Keep an eye out for the three panels of stained glass dedicated to the 1929 Scout Movement - watchout for the scouts on camp, cooking over their fire.
4. The Lion and the Unicorn
Within the church, you should find sculptures of the English lion and Scottish unicorn, placed in the church after the 1707 alliance of England and Scotland. Originally used to decorate an organ, they now sit at the foot at The Nave.
5. Norman Church floors
By the north side of the nave there is a glass panel surrounding a base of one of the pillars, when a new floor was being laid in 2013, the remnants of stones from the original Norman church were discovered. They can be glimpsed through the glass!
6. The Crossing
In this area, it is believed Robin Hood - who was devoted to the virgin Mary - once knelt on the rood screen to pray. The Church Robin Hood visited has been replaced by the current church, but the crossing is the same area he would’ve heard mass. According to lore, a monk told the Sheriff of Robin Hood’s presence at the church, who rushed to arrest him on the porch as he tried to escape. Robin hit the Sheriff’s helmet with so much power his sword snapped into two.
7. The Lady Chapel
This space was created in 1912 to make space for a new organ. Above the altar is a very fine stained glass window celebrating Nottingham’s historic lace making past. On the 23rd of October 1918, Katherine Wade-Dalton was married in St. Mary’s, but just a week later, she sadly passed away. The window depicts her wearing an intricate lace wedding dress and veil.
8. Medieval Tombs
In the north and south transepts are the church’s last two medieval tombs - Thurland and Samon. Thurland is made up of three different medieval tombs and made from carved alabaster stone. The Samon tomb contains the effigy of a man with a sword - potentially depicting John Samon - Lord Mayor of the City. He died in 1416.
9. Henry Plumptre
A very sad monument in St Mary’s is dedicated to a young boy, who died at just 10 years old in 1719. A plaque hanging on the west wall of the north transept records Henry’s academic achievements.
10. St Mary’s and the Slave Trade
There are two monuments within the church dedicated to the impact of the slave trade. In the churchyard lies the grave of George Africanus, who was transported to England from Sierra Leone as a child slave. He managed to win his freedom and became a successful merchant in the city before he died in 1834. Another plaque within the church is dedicated to a young man from Nottingham who died in service to the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Pheasant whilst attempting to prevent ships from transporting Slaves across the Atlantic.
Be sure to keep an eye out for other gems within St. Mary’s, such the 37 stained glass windows and the bells of St. Mary’s, some bells date back to the 14th Century!
We hope you have a wonderful visit and enjoy unlocking a hidden piece of Nottingham’s historic past.
This blog was written by Anwen Williams, Marketing Intern at Visit Nottinghamshire.
Related
t Mary’s Church – Grade 1 Listed and the largest medieval building in the city of Nottingham - is an iconic example of Nottingham’s prosperity during the 15th century. Its magnificent architecture - massive tower, slender columns, huge windows and alabaster monuments – testifies to the wealth poured into its construction by the guilds, merchants, and gentry of Nottingham society.
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
