A ramble round the Church of
St Mary in Beverley
By Chris Hairsine
I have researched various aspects of the recent history of St Mary's and it is an on going project as time allows; this is just an appetite whetter for things to come. Sources have been the University Library, our own Reference Library and the Archives in Beverley together with the Borthwick Institute at York.
The origin of St Mary's according to the work "History and Antiquities of the Town and Minster of Beverley" by G Oliver in 1829.
"The increasing population of the town, now demanded a further accommodation for administering the sacred services of religion; and for this purpose, the chapel or oratory of Saint Mary was erected. The original buildings partake equally of the Norman and Early English styles, and were doubtless constructed about the present period, before the former was altogether abandoned, or the use of the latter fully established. There is little hazard in the conjecture, that this edifice owes its origin to the active benevolence of Thurstan.
In the year 1325, an arrangement was made for endowing the Church of Saint Mary, and elevating it into a parochial establishment. On the 4th of May, Robert de Northburgh, prebendary of the prebend of Saint Martin; and Nicholas de Sigglesthorne, vicar of the chapel of Saint Mary, submitted themselves to the award and decree of William de Melton, archbishop of York, concerning the portion as well of the vicar as of the prebendary, and the following ordinances were made binding on them and their successors. First, that the altar and chapel of Saint Mary be used for the sacred services of religion for ever; that the vicar shall have cure of souls, and be at the presentation of the said prebendary, and be canonically admitted by the archbishop when the see is full, and in its vacancy by the dean and chapter of York. Secondly, the vicarage shall have these proportions, viz. the tithes of all crofts and lands and gardens within the town of Beverley, and which belonged to the prebend of Saint Martin, or his chapel of Saint Mary; all the customary fees for marriages and burials; the tithe of eggs, geese, ducks, fowls, pigeons and pigs; the tithe of wool and lamb, goats and calves, and the oblations of principal festivals as far as they may be lawfully claimed by the prebendary or the vicar. The prebendary and his successors were also commanded to allow the vicar five marks per annum. In consideration of these profits the vicar of Saint Mary was bound to provide two chaplains to celebrate divine service daily, one at the altar of Saint Martin and the other at the chapel of Saint Mary; and be present with his priests in a regular habit in all other processions of the prebendal church of Beverley, whether on Sundays of Festivals. This decree was confirmed by the king in the year 1329, and by the dean and chapter of York, 17th June 1335."
The altar of Saint Martin was part of the Minster from where Saint Mary's was staffed with Clergy.
It is interesting to note that at this time Beverley was a very important town, even more important than today.
The important position which Beverley still held among the English towns of the fourteenth century is indicated by the returns of the levy of the poll tax of 1377 which show that in respect of population Beverley ranked as eleventh in the whole of England, the number of persons who paid the tax being 2,668 against only 1,557 in Hull. The 10 bigger were London, York, Bristol, Plymouth, Coventry, Norwich, Lincoln, Salisbury, Lynn and Colchester. Newcastle upon Tyne closely followed with 2,667.
The poll tax at this time was levied at one groat (4d) per head of population over the age of 14.
In 1520 during divine service the tower collapsed into the nave roof killing several members of the congregation. The tower and nave were re-built in a very short space of time and seems to have been completed by 1524 using much of the old stone cut down to make smaller blocks with which to make much more substantial supports for the roof and tower.
Oliver says of the collapse:
"In the 4th year of the reign of Henry VIII during the performance of divine service in Saint Mary's Church the upper part of the tower gave way and fell through the roof of building with a tremendous crash. The alarm necessarily attending an occurrence of this kind would excite a universal confusion, and each would provide for his own safety with all possible expedition. The ruin however was too sudden and unexpected for everyone to escape and several individuals lost their lives on the occasion. The structure did not long remain in ruins, for Sir Richard Rokeby and others entered into a private subscription for its restoration."
There is a carving in one of the old pews which we still have part of in the priests rooms which has been translated by various notable scholars some of whom say the tower fell in 1513, however the most popular view is that it fell in 1520.
The inscription reads thus:
"Pray God have marce of al the sawllys of the men and wymen and ccheldryn whos bodys was slayn at the faulying of thys ccherc whych fown +++++++++ thys fawlwas the XXIX day of Aperel in the yere of owr Lord A MVC. and XIII (XX) and for al the sawls of them whyth haws hyn +++++++++++ ys +++++++++++ schal be gud benefactors and helppers of the sayd ccherc up a gayn and for al crystyan sawllys the whyth god wold have prayed for and for the sawllys of ser Recherd Rokkysbe knycht a n daym Jone his wife whych gave two hundreth poundes to the building of thys ccherc and for the sawllys of Willm Hall cooper and his wife."
The stops to the hood-moulds of the north arcade are sculptured with the busts of little figures of men or women bearing scrolls on which are inscriptions recording gifts towards the re-building of this part of the nave, and in Latin of similar purport on the aisle side.
The two west most piers and the western respond (two pillars and a half) were given by John Crosley and his wife; the next two piers by the good wives of Beverley; and the eastern most, by the minstrels. On the east side of this pillar are corbels with characteristic 16th century leafage and moulded capitals, on which stand 5 little figures of minstrels with their instruments. The instruments they are represented as playing upon are a Tabor or side drum, a Crouch or bass flute, a Guittern and a Treble Flute. Some of these have been lost and the figures damaged and defaced. It is thought that the original colours may have been red and green.
One of the most detailed descriptions of the figures given since the rebuild of the mid-19th century is by R. C. Hope F.S.A. in 1894.
"On the first pillar from the tower on the North side, the scroll on the nave side reads THYS PYLLOR MADE THE MEYNSTYRLS and on the North side in the aisle ORATE PRO ANIMABVS HYSTERIORVM. Attached to the east face of the pillar are figures of the five "meynstyrls" each about twenty inches in height, standing on carved brackets. The first figure wears a pleated shirt with embroidered collar, a belted doublet with puffed sleeves and a full skirt, a gorget or plastron upon his breast tied with points at the upper corners, hose and broad shoes. Round his neck is a chain or collar of plain square links, with pendant shield. Over the left forearm is strung a tabor which he is beating with his right hand; the sleeve is turned up to the elbow; he is blowing a pipe which he holds and fingers with his left hand. The tabor and pipe was the necessary accompaniment of rustic dances.
The second figure is dressed similarly to the first but has no gorget. On the right hand side hangs an ample pouch with two pendant tassels from the belt, and round the neck is a chain and scutcheon. He is holding a large viol - most probably a tenor - in his right hand and a bow in his left. The instrument has curved and hollow sides; no neck; the end is circular, without pegs; there is no bridge shown but a triangular tailpiece to which the four strings are fastened, and it has two crescent shaped soundholes, about mid way up the instrument turning outwards.
The third figure, who plays a shawm of considerable length, reaching to below the knee, wears the same costume, but the doublet is thrown open, and is much longer than that worn by the others. Instead of a shield, the chain carries a heart shaped pendant. There is no pouch.
The fourth figure resembles the first, but has the doublet girt by a chord for a belt, two ends terminating with tassels; from the chord on the left hand side hangs a pouch. He has a collar and scutcheon round his neck. He is playing on a cittern.
The fifth figure, who is performing on a wait, or hautboy, is dressed like the third, but with the addition of the gorget, which is tied on with points. He wears a chain and a scutcheon and from his belt is suspended on the right side a large pouch, on the left a sword. This figure is almost perfect.
The other figures are more or less mutilated, and the instruments gone. all are bare headed, and have long hair. They are now gaudily painted with white shirts, blue doublets, red hose, black shoes, and gold chains, but the colouring is not original.
"A fraternity of Minstrels or Gleemen had been established in Beverley during the reign of King Athelstan, and were well supported by their profession for many ages after the conquest. The minstrels seem to be the descendants of the ancient bards for they exhibited in one person the musician and the poet. It is stated that the courts of the Princes swarmed with poets and minstrels. The King and most of the Nobility retained their own minstrels who wore their respective liveries. The minstrels of Beverley were governed by stated rules and played at weddings, feasts, fairs, cross days &c. They waited for no invitation but considering admission into the halls of the nobility as an undeniable privilege due to their talents; they entered without ceremony, and seldom departed without liberal reward. The excessive privileges which the minstrels enjoyed in all parts of the kingdom, and the long continuance of public favour, with many gratuities collected by them, induced great numbers of loose and dissolute persons to join the fraternity, and its reputation became much diminished in the public estimation. These evils became so notorious , that in the reign of Edward II it was found necessary to restrain them by public edict. In little more than a century afterwards these grievances again became the subject of complaint to the King. In the reign of Elizabeth the professors of minstrelsy were ranked amongst rogues, vagabonds and sturdy beggars. The Society or Guild of Minstrels which existed in Beverley endeavoured, in the reign of Philip and Mary to restore the credit and respectability of the profession by a formal establishment of a series of regulations for their future government. In order for the re-establishment of the fraternity, the minstrels identified with Waites, and in the Town's Records of the period they are styled Histriones. This body has left a lasting memorial of their existence in Beverley in the pillar under notice, which was undoubtedly erected by them."
The inscriptions on the stops of the head moulds of the northern piers reads as follows;
No 1 pier is at the west end.
1 south XLAY
1 north ET IOHANNE
VXORIS EIVS
2 south AND HYS WYF
FE MADE THES
2 north IOHIS CROSL
AY MERCATORIS
3 south TO PYLLORS
AND A HALFFE
3 north ORATE PRO
ANIMABVS
4 south THYS PYLLO
RS MADE GVD
4 north ISTARVM
(BON)ARVM M(VLIERVM)
5 south WYFFYS GOD
REWARD THAYM
5 north (OR)ATE P(RO)
(AN)IMAB(VS)
6 south THYS PYLLOR
MADE THE
MEYNSTYRLS
6 north ORATE PRO
ANIMABVS
HISTERIORVM
"The stops to the hood moulds in the south arcade are also sculptured but with busts, but only two bear inscriptions. These are over the eastern respond on the nave side (7 north) and over the western respond on the aisle side (1 south) both of which show the date 1524. On the aisle side two represent the demi virgin issuing from the clouds of the Mercers Guild (4 south and 7 south) and two others represent a jester (3 south and 6 south) On the nave side are an official with a square cap (7 north) a civil dignitary with a square cap (6 north) a King (5 north) a cardinal (4 north). A cardinal also is represented on the stop over the eastern respond of the north arcade on the nave side and on the aisle side, a queen. An Archbishop (3 north) a civil dignitary (2 north) and a merchant or official (1 north)."
The bounding cornice of the clerestory windows of the nave rest on corbels composed chiefly of angels of large size holding shields etc. Some of them on the South side appear to have in their hands the various instruments used in the crucifixion of our Saviour. The most perfect figure at the east end has a ladder; the second a crown of thorns; the third holds the spear and reed with the sponge; the fifth figure has the chalice; the next the cross; the seventh the pincers etc.; the next the seamless garment; and the ninth represents Saint Veronica holding the napkin upon which is imprinted the features of the Redeemer.
The church seemed to have a habit of falling down because in 1604 the south aisle fell down after a great storm during which it was struck by a "Lightening bolt". The same storm affected the Minster and Holme Church. St Mary's and the Minster received superficial damage whilst poor old Holme Church fell down completely. A faculty from York gives permission for the stone from Holme Church to be used in the rebuilding of St Mary's and the Minster. The two parishes were amalgamated and became the Parish of Saint Mary with Saint Nicholas. Very much later Saint Nicholas Church was built again on the old Holme Church site in Holme Church Lane and the parishes once again became separate.
Gent writes, describing the ceiling of Saint Catherine's Chapel in 1733, I have purposely left the original words, spellings and punctuation as he wrote it.
"It is a Repreƒentation of her Life and Sufferings, curiouƒly painted on the Ceiling of the South Iƒle of the Chancel in St Mary's, Beverley. A South Proƒpect of this Church (which fell down in the year 1604) I here preƒent to my Reader, until a particular and greater Deƒine, with a proportionable Encouragement, may induce me to procure a better.
The Hiƒtory of St. Catharine, painted as above mentioned
Admirably is the history contrived in fourteen Square Diviƒions. In the first, this famous Alexandrian Virgin, Saint Catharine (whom the Author of a ƒurprizing Book, intitul'd, Legenda Aurea, tells us, was Daughter of Coftus, King of Cyprus) is represented in her Royal Mother's Arms, with her Nurƒe ready to receive her. In the second Partition, the young Lady is moƒt beauteouƒly depicted with a Book in her Hand, as tho proƒtrate before an altar, while the Trumpeters seem to make Uƒe of their Inƒtruments. The legend relates, That the Lords of the Realm, after ƒhe became Queen, perƒuading her to marry, anƒer'd Non but our Saviour, ƒhould be her Spouƒe: That the Virgin Mary appear'd to the Hermit Adrian, Sent him to Alexandria, where he confirm'd her in the Faith; and by whom after a wonderful vision, being baptiz'd ƒhe had the Courage to reprove the perƒecuting Idolators. This leads to the third diviƒion where Tormentors ƒeem to guard her, as ƒhe ƒtood before the Tribunal of the Emporors who was ƒurpriz'd at her Beauty, and captivated by her Charms: So much indeed, that he ƒent for his Orators to diƒƒuade her from the Chriƒftian Belief Under which Diƒpute the fourth repreƒents her engag'd, in preƒence of the Tyrants when ƒhe baffled their weak Arguments, and by the power of iriƒiƒtable Truth made them Converts and Martyrs. Being order'd to be whipt with Scorpions (ƒuppofing her to have ƒuffer'd the most cruel Stripes, and commanded to Prison) in the Fifth Diviƒion ƒhe ƒeems confined in a Caƒtle where at Midnight ƒhe was viƒited by the Emprefs, accompany'd by Porplryrus, a noble Perƒon whom ƒhe converted, with one hundred knights, of whom he was principal. The Sixth ƒhews, how ƒhe was carry'd again before the Emperor, who vainly offer'd her the enticing Splendours of living as a Queen; which ƒhe reƒuƒed for the Sake of Christ. She was, as it seems here to be tormented. The Tyrant order'd a Rack be made, environ'd with ƒharp inƒruments: Which Crudely the kind Empreƒs abhorring, not only blam'd the Emperor for, but owning the Chriƒtian Faith, was, by this unnatural Wretch, commanded to be beheaded: Whoƒe Royal Corpƒe was interr'd by the noble Porphyrus, who like wiƒe ƒuffer'd with his converted Knights. In the seventh ƒhe is painted with her Executioner: For Maximinus, after he had accuƒed St. Catharine of Magic in deceiving his Empreƒs, would ƒtill have pardon'd her, upon her submiƒƒion to Idolatry. The eighth division repreƒents her as if put alive into her Coffin by way of Terror: Which I take to be a further Addition of the Painters becauƒe I cannot find it expreƒƒed in any Hiƒtory. In the ninth ƒhe is depicted on her bended Knees, as preparatory for the bloody Execution. In the tenth two frightful Tormentors ƒeen ƒcourging her delicate Body while flow Streams of pureƒt Blood, as it were, add Luƒter to her beautiful Skin Where we are led in the Eleventh Division, to behold the inƒpired Virginity led by murdering Ruffians to a Racking Wheel, the Cords of which ƒeem, as they were ƒaid to be, cut aƒunder by ƒhining Angels. This Deliverance occaƒion'd be repreƒented in the Twelfth, to have been brought, as tho' the laƒt Time before the Emperor, whoƒe deluding Offers ƒhe finally rejected, The Thirteenth Division compleats the Execution, by describing her lovely Head, tho' in Death, ƒeperated from her no leƒs admired Body: Both which (as this Author writes) ƒeem in the Fourteenth diƒplay'd borne away by Angels in glorious Manner to Mount Sinai, on which Eminence the Lord had appeared to Moƒes."
Gent then spends some time exalting the various Saints and their sufferings before getting back to Saint Mary's Church in Beverley.
"At the falling of this Church of St. Mary's BEVERLEY, ƒeveral Men, Women and children were ƒlain; ƒome of the names are mentioned: So Likwiƒe are thoƒe of its Benefactors; particularly John Croƒley, and Joan his Spouƒe who were at the Charge of two Pillars and a half, and helped to make good two decay'd ones, for which God was implor'd to reward them. The Roof over the North Iƒle was made by William Penter; who has left us this truly pious Admonition, "Man in thy Living love God above all Things: Ever think of thy beginning, and what ƒhall become of thy Ending" Near the steeple (from which to the Weƒt End, there are 6 Pillars on each Side, N and S.) is a representation of Judgement, the 24 Elders, on each Side a Throne plac'd as it were in the Midst of a higher Sphere; and beneath ƒuch a tremendous Appearance, is a diƒmal Proƒpect of the infernal Regions, to ƒignify the gloomy State of miƒerable Sinners after their Condemnation. In the South Croƒs, Was formerly a Chantry (perhaps dedicated to St. Michael, before mention'd) which was turn'd to a Work-Houƒe, with a Smith's Forge; the flames from whence, as I was inform'd, had once like to have ƒet the Church on fire!"
Here Gent describes the ceiling in the south transept which had Saints depicted thereon in 8 separate panels. he then goes on to describe the Chancel ceiling in what must have been close to its original form.
"The Pictures of theƒe Monarchs are placed in the Manner exhibited: but leƒt they ƒhould be too obƒcure to the reader, I have figured them, as near as I could according to the Times they lived in. Having examin'd Hiƒtory, I Find,
1 Brutus to have been King 1108 Years before the Time of our Bleƒƒed Savior; but cannot account for his being bury'd at Weƒtminster, which was then call'd Thorney, if not another name.
2 King Logrim (or Locrine) his Succeƒƒor.
3 King Ebranke was 989 Years before Chriƒt.
4 Regbardus: I know nothing of him; much leƒs, that he lies in Lichfield.
5 Eglarus.
6 Acbelardus.
7 Knondus.
8 Ludbrac.
9 Ethelwulf, (the son and succeffor of the renowned King Egbert, that in the Year 828, put a Period to the Heptarchy beginning the Monarchy of the English Saxons, to that of the Danes, under King Canute) who had four Sons, that were Kings, two of them, that ƒucceeded him, named Ethelbald and Ethelbert. The time of Ethelwulf's reign agrees with the account of a famous Hiƒtorian but who alas contradicts the King's having been interr'd in York, telling us he dy'd at Stamrige, the 13th of Jan. 857 and was buried in Wincheƒter Cathedral.
10 Ethelred I (3d Son to King Ethelwulf) expired thro' the Wounds he had been given by the Danes in Battle at Wittingham and was buried at Winburne in Dorƒetƒire upon whoƒe Tomb, as Mr Camden writes, was this Inƒcription. "In hoc Loco quifeit Corpus S Ethelredi Regis Weƒt Saxonum Martyris, qui Anno Domini DCCCLXXII.xxxiii Ayrilis, per Manus Danorum Paganorum occubuit. That is as his much reverenced and moƒt learned Translatour has it, "Here reƒts the Body of Saint Ethelred, King of the Weƒt Saxons Martyr, who fell by the Pagan Danes in the Year of our Lord 872 the 23rd of April"
11 Edmund. In the aforesaid Monarch''s Reign, the King whom this Division repreƒents, was ƒlain alƒo, when he had reigned 3 Years the Place where he lies interr'd, being now call'd St Edmunds-bury
12 Alfred. The firƒt anointed King in England, and 4th Son of K Ethelwulf Was buried in Wincheƒter in 900, and not in London.
13 Edward the Elder. Reigned 24 Years, dy'd at Farendon in Barkƒhire, and was bury'd in the Monaƒtry at Wincheƒter, hard by his Father Anno 924.
14 Athelƒtan began his reign the ƒame year, died at Gloceƒter in 940, and was buried with great Pomp at Malmƒbury.
15 King Edmund. Tis true, he was interr'd at Glaƒtenbury, Anno 946, when St. Dunƒtan was Abbot. Unhappy Prince! whoƒe death was after a ƒtrange manner: For as he was keeping the Feaƒt of St. Auguƒtine at a Place now called Puckle-Church in Gloceƒterfhire, with his Attendants, he eƒpy'd a noted Robber called Leof whom he had baniƒhed ƒome time before: Enrag'd at the Villian's Boldneƒs, the King aroƒe from the Table, caught him by the Hair, and threw him on the Ground: The man expecting nothing but Death, drew forth a Dagger, and ƒtabbed the Monarch to the Heart; for which he was cut in Pieces by the Nobles; tho' before he was ƒlain, the deƒperate Wretch kill'd three or four of them alƒo.
16 Edred, firƒt call'd King of Great Britain, a virtuous Prince, Crowned at Kingston-upon-Thames, 946. reigned about ten years and might be (as mention'd) bury'd in Canterbury. Paƒƒing by Edwi, (who dy'd 959, and bury'd in Wincheƒter), we come to.
17 Edgar, who the ƒame Year became King, was a great Monarch to whom 8 other Kings owed Obedience, and row'd him in a Galley at Cheƒter on the River Dee: This little man, tho' mighty Hero, the Protector of Nations, (in whoƒe time, an Abbot of Croyland, named Turketul, adding ƒix Bells to the two Great ones that had before been in the Steeple, which became the ƒirƒt Ring of Bells in England) dy'd after fixteen Years Reign, July 8 975; and was, as the Church has it, bury'd in Glaƒtenbury.
18 Edward the younger ƒucceeded, a mild and good Prince; whoƒe Mother-in-Law, Queen Elfrida, barbarouƒly had ordered one of her servants to ƒtab him as he was drinking (at the gate of her Palace, at Corfe-Caƒtle in Dorƒetƒhire) ƒome wine, he had commanded to be brought as if for his Refreƒhment, while he ƒat on Horƒe-back. Upon this he fled towards his companions, who had been hunting with him, till loƒs of Blood made him faint and fall upon the ground. He was bury'd at Werham and then at Shaftsbury; tho' it's mention'd at Wincheƒter, leaving the Kingdom Anno 975 to Ethelred II.
19 Ethelred II who that Edward the second is (with Edmund ) I leave to the curious and paƒs on to;
20 Canute. Who began the Danish Monarchy in 1017 after the Death of King Edmund Ironƒide who dy'd that year, and was bury'd in Glaƒtenbury by his Grandfather King Edgar. This King mary'd Queen Emma, Widow of King Ethelred, who was bury'd at St Paul's London the year before King Canute beat the Swedes, conquered Norway, erected and endow'd monaƒteries, added Scotland to his Dominions, dy'd at Shaftsbury, Nov 12, and bury'd at Wincheƒter, (tho' it is written at Durham) Anno 1036, but I leave it to be examined farther in to.
21 King Harold I, He reigned four Years (ƒays the Hiƒtorian) and was bury'd at Weƒtminƒter (tho' ƒaid to be at London) Anno 1040.
22 Harde-Canute, reigned a little above two Years and dy'd suddenly at a wedding feast at Lambeth, in the year 1042. This ended the Daniƒh Monarchy, which restored the English Saxons.
23 King Edward the Confeƒƒor ƒucceded; reigned above twenty three Years, dy'd on the 5th of January, 1066 and was bury'd at St. Peters Church, Weƒtminƒter which he had founded.
24 Harold II ƒucceeded that year and reigned nine months, was killed in Battle againƒt the Conqueror, October 14 and bury'd in Waltham Church which he himself founded and endowed.
25 William the Conqueror, who began the Norman Line, mounted the Throne the ƒame Year; and dying, in the 21ƒt Year of his reign in the City of Roven or Roan, in Normandy, Sept 9 1087 and bury'd at Caen, a City likewiƒe in Normandy and about 70 miles Weƒt of the former.
26 William II, (who founded St. Peters Hospital at York) was kill'd in the 13th Year of his Reign, by Sir Walter Tyrrel, a French Knight as he was hunting in the New Foreƒt, Aug 2 1100 and was bury'd under the Tower of the Great Church at Wincheƒter.
27 Henry I ruled above 35 years dy'd Dec 2 1135, and was bury'd at the Monastry at Reading which he founded.
28 King Stephen ( who built an Hospital near the Weft Gate at York giving to it the rent of 24 Out Sheaves for every Plough-land in England, formerly applied to maintain his Hounds in whole reign alƒo, the Abbeys of Newborough, Byeland, and Kirkƒhead were founded) reigned almoƒt 19 Years, dy'd October 25 1154 and lies bury'd at Feverƒham in an Abbey which he had founded.
29 Henry II, reigned almoƒt 35 Years, dy'd July 6 1189, and was bury'd at Fount-Everard.
30 Richard I, call'd truly an English King: but having been very vexatious to his aged Father, I know not how he deƒerved to be called a Knight of the King of Angels, unleƒs for his Penetency afterwards, and his attonement, in being indeed a valiant Warriour againƒt the Infidels in the Holy Land. He reigned almoƒt 10 Years, was ƒhot by a Croƒs Bow near the Caƒtle of Chaluz, April 6th 1199 and was bury'd at Fount-Everard.
31 King John, reigned near 18 Years, dy'd October 19 1216 and was bury'd in Worceƒter Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary, behind the High Altar, (others write exactly under it) tho' his Monumunt is placed in the Croƒs-Iƒle, over againƒt the ƒame.
32 King Henry III, reigned 56 Years, dy'd Nov. 20 1272 and bury'd at Weƒtminƒter.
33 King Edward I, reigned almoƒt 35 Years, dy'd July 7th 1307, was likewiƒe bury'd in Weƒtminƒter.
34 King Edward II, a moƒt unfortunate Prince, reigned about 19 Years, Was barbarouƒly murder'd in his bed.
35 King Edward III, who conquered France, reigned almoƒt 51 Years dy'd June 21 1377 and was buried by his dear Spouƒe Queen Philippa in Weƒtminƒter Abbey.
36 King Richard II, reigned above 22 Years and was cruelly murder'd AD 1400 in Pontefract Caƒtle, whoƒe Body after it had lain at Langley (in Hertfordƒhire) was Royally Entomb'd in Weƒtminƒter, by King Henry V in the Year 1413.
37 King Henry IV, reigned above 13 Years, lies interred in Canterbury.
38 Henry V, a renowned Warriour, reigned above 9 Years, dy'd August 31 1422, and was Buried at Weƒtminƒter.
39 King Henry VI, reigned above 38 Years ending his Government Anno 1461, but had not his life ended 'till about 10 Years afterwards, he was murdered in the Tower 1471 by that Monƒter; Crook-Back'd, Richard, with whom ended the Royal Line of Lancaster. This Pious tho' unfortunate King, was bury'd in Chertƒey in Surrey, but in Proceƒs of time removed to Windƒor where a fair Monument was placed over him.
40 King Edward IV reigned 22 Years, dy'd April 9 1483 and was bury'd at Windƒor, with great Solemnity, in the New Chapel which he had erected.
The modern king represented in the south west corner was painted in 1942. A letter from Buckingham Palace said that they would not object to a representation of the present monarch being painted on the ceiling but that the King was a bit busy to come for a sitting. Quite what he was doing in London in August 1942 I can only leave you to imagine! They did however give the name of a reputable studio where a likeness could be obtained. The reason for the repainting was because the roof was re timbered about then because of the attack of the Death Watch Beetle in the ceiling. Both the Chancel and the Nave were re roofed at this time as were the nave side aisles. On the roof cast into the lead is a plate bearing the details of wardens and vicar at the time of re leading. One such plate from a former roof is in the old priest rooms.
The Nave ceiling is decorated with golden stars on a blue background and has been for some considerable time, as far back as 1829 it was said that the ceiling in the nave represented a serene sky with stars of gold.
The ceiling of the tower is relatively modern with proof of this in the church magazine of 1900 giving details of the renovations to the belfry floor at "Great expense to the Churchwardens" during the re casting of the bells.
All ten bells were erected in this year the details of these are as follows:
Extracts from Parish Magazines for 1900
January 1900
We shall very soon have but one bell. Probably in the second week of this month all the others will be taken to Messrs. Taylors foundry at Loughborough for re casting with new metal onto the new peel of ten. The weight of our present tenor is 19cwt 1qr 13lb, the new tenor will be 34cwt. Mr Taylor thinks the new peal will be completed ready by Easter.
February 1900
To my great regret we are at present without a single bell which was to be left for us until the new peal was ready. There has been a difficulty owing to the floor of the bell chamber having to be reconstructed. For the same reason the clock is at a standstill. The old bells have all been removed to Messrs Taylors workshop at Loughboro. The weights of them, as given by Messrs Taylor, are as follows:-
Treble, 3cwt. 3qr. 21lb;
2nd., 4cwt. 1qr. 21lb;
3rd., 4cwt. 2qr. 21lb;
4th., 6cwt. 0qr. 14lb.;
5th., 8cwt. 3qr. 18lb.;
6th., 10cwt;
7th., 15cwt. 1qr. 14lb.;
Tenor, 19cwt.
Total weight 72cwt. 1qr. 25lb.
A considerable interest appears to have been taken in some of these old bells and it may be useful to have some record of them. The first three bells of the old peal were "cast by Gillet & Co of Croydon 1883," such being the inscription upon each of them. The 4th reports Mr Taylor, "is evidently a very old bell but I cannot fix the date of it. The fifth is perhaps not quite so old". On the fourth bell an equal armed cross, each arm with the letter S. Above them is a floriated device and below a shield. The inscription on the fifth bell is FVIT GRA BENEDICTVS ET NOMINE. Between each of these is a well executed ornament. On the sixth bell, IHON WILSON, WILLIAM ELLERINGTON, RICHARD SILEATO, IEFFERY TALER, 1631. The seventh is the best bell of the peal. Mr Taylor says, "the tone of the seventh bell is good, considering it is such a light bell for it's note. The inscription is VT TVBA SIC SONITV DOMINI CNDVCO CHORTES 1599, PD RC RS WI. On the waist are the letters RT and the Royal Arms. On the Tenor, ANTE IACETIS HUMO SONITV RESIPICITE MÆSTO SA ROBINSON ED FARMER IO GARTON RI GREYBORNE GVARDIANI IT 1700. On this bell are very beautiful running ornaments, on each of which are two bells with SS EBOR between them.
The Churchwardens are at a very considerable outlay on account of the new floor of the bell chamber and other expenses connected with the new peal, and cannot therefore retain the old bells. But the old fifth is to be exchanged for one in the tower of St. Nicholas, and the inscription of the seventh bell is to be cut out and kept in the church. Should it, however, be thought desirable for the old bells to be kept, (fourth and seventh), because of their antiquarian interest, the cost would be £5 5s per cwt. Messrs Taylor and Co have been instructed to retain these bells for the present. Communications may be sent to the Clerk of the Churchwardens, but they should be sent at once.
I must add a few words to express the loss we have sustained in the death of Mrs Crust, through whose gift of £850 the new peal of ten bells is to be erected in the Tower of St Mary's Church. She always took a deep interest in our Church work and was a liberal supporter of our funds.
In Scaum's Beverlac is printed an agreement for celebrating an obit for John and Ellen his wife, which is dated AD 1417. In this document is the following reference to the bells
".................to the parochial Clerks of the said Chapel ....................and their successors ................ for tolling the 4 principal bells of the said Chapel. 12d annually............" So that in the year 1417 there were more than 4 bells in St. Mary's. When the tower fell in 1512 were all the bells destroyed? The two oldest bells of the peal which has just been removed were the 4th and 5th. With regard to them Messrs Taylor of Loughborough, write as follows:- "This bell (the 4th) was probably cast by Robert Quernbie and Henry Oldfield, who carried on a joint business at Nottingham. Robert Quernbie was married Jan 1567, or 68 and he appears, some time prior to 1593, to have taken Henry Oldfield into the business. The date of Robert Quernbie's death seems to be unknown, so it is difficult to locate exactly the date of the 4th bell, though it was probably cast after he had taken Henry Oldfield into the business. It may be interesting perhaps to repeat here what North says about "Bells of S S."
"There are a number of bells in Lincolnshire with no inscription beyond the letter S repeated in company with some founder's stamps. The meaning of the letter S is uncertain. It probably meant Sanctus, not the Tersanctus, for the number varies, two being found on many bells, three on some and four on others. (Note the old 4th bell at Saint Mary's has two). In all cases the cross is repeated with the letter S, and these are frequently accompanied by the rose and shield, one being usually placed above the other. (Note: this is how the fourth bell is marked). North gives numerous instances to be found among the bells of Lincolnshire, and he then makes the statement which does not seem at all to coincide with his previous statement, for he says: "All these are pre-Reformation bells, and none of them are dated, but as we know the rose and shield belonged to Nottingham founders, we have no hesitation in assigning these "SS" bells to them.
But as the rose and shield appear to be the marks of the joint business of Quernbie and Oldfield, and these two did not combine until not long before 1593, there is evidently a discrepancy somewhere.
This bell (the fifth) was probably cast at Leicester by one of the Newcombe Family, but it is difficult to say which member of the family. The initial cross on the bell is numbered fig 93 in North's book, and North says "This Thomas Newcombe and his predecessors used many other stamps , including fig 93," and here he gives an instance of bells thus inscribed, and he adds: "All which bells may be assigned to those founders, as may also the 2nd bell at Normanton, which has it's inscription in large ornate Gothic capitals, like the 4th at Swinestead, but without an initial cross. This Thomas Newcombe died in 1580-1."
His predecessors were Robert Newcombe, his father, Mayor of Leicester in 1529, and who died in 1538; Thomas Newconbe who died in 1520; and William Willers, the first recorded founder at Leicester, who died 1506, which gives rather a wide range, but the bell was probably cast by Thomas Newcombe, who died 1580-1, or his father Robert.
According to the above opinion the 4th and 5th bells were cast in the 16th century. Were they cast for St. Mary's on or soon after the rebuilding of the tower? At any rate the 7th bears its date 1599; as also does the 6th which was cast in 1631. Now we come to an entry in the registers which tells us about the 3rd and 8th bells. It is as follows:-
"The great bell being rent was new-cast at York, October 2nd, 1700, by Samuel Smith, and the little bell, which before hanged in the Lantern was also then cast; and so the church hath 6 bells. For casting these two bells Mr Smith had £30, and for some overplus metal he had 10 shillings.
cwt qr. lbs.
The great old bell weighed 21 3 14
The little old bell 2 1 21
_____________
24 1 7
The great new bell weighs 19 2 8
The little ditto 4 3 26
_____________
So that the two new bells are heavier
than the old ones 0 0 27
But the great new bell was cut within
to make her turnable, and the
chippings weighed 0 0 221/2
So that she now weighs but about 19 1 13
And so in the "Terrier" dated 1743, is mentioned "6 bells within their frames"
The question arises, what were the date of the great bell (the 8th) which was rent, and the little bell which before hanged in the lantern? But having this for the present, it must now be added from the Churchwardens books that "in the year 1883-4 two new bells were obtained at a cost of £115 8s 9d, the cost being defrayed by subscription. The bells being supplied by Messrs Gillet and Co., of London. In March of the year 1884 there is a further entry to the following effect "The Clerk is directed to write to Messrs Gillett & Co., and inform them that the new bells are stated not to be in harmony with the old bells and request their attention to them." It may be interesting to print the following weights of the bells just removed as given by Messrs Taylor & Co:-
cwt qr. lbs.
1 E flat 3 3 21
2 D 4 1 21
3 C 4 2 21
4 B flat 6 0 14
5 A flat 8 3 18
6 G 10 0 0
7 F 15 1 14
8 E flat 19 0 0
_____________
Total 72 1 25
Possibly a careful search amongst the old documents might result in further knowledge of the bells, before or immediately after the great fall of part of the church in 1512. But I have found it impossible to give the necessary time for such an investigation. Probably there are those who know a good deal more than is written here, and I should be glad of any information. RF
June 1900
The New Bells
Mr Taylor and Mr John Taylor came to Beverley on May 17th, when the new bells from their Loughborough Foundry were tried for the first time. Everything was considered satisfactory, and the bells are now ready for dedication.
The following are the reports sent by Messrs Taylor on the old and the new peals:-
The Old Peal
"With respect to the bells themselves we find the quality and tone of all of them excepting the seventh bell, id very inferior indeed. The fourth, sixth, and tenor bells are miserable. The fifth is slightly better, but is far from being as good as it ought to be. The seventh is of fair average tone, and could be utilised in a peal of eight or ten, though we should prefer to recast it. The three new smallest bells are altogether out of tune and nothing can be done with them, they must certainly be recast. The effect of the clock striking the quarters is most excruciating, and must be annoying to anyone with a musical ear.
With respect to the fittings, by which is meant the wheels, headstocks, gudgeons, bearings, clappers, etc., these, as well as the oak framework, are in very dilapidated condition, and must be entirely renewed.
The tower is an exceedingly fine one, and a grand peal of ten bells can be most conveniently hung therein on one level."
The weight of the bells was as follows:-
|
cwt. |
qrs. |
lbs. |
||
|
1 |
E flat |
3 |
3 |
21 |
|
2 |
D |
4 |
1 |
21 |
|
3 |
C |
4 |
2 |
21 |
|
4 |
B flat |
6 |
0 |
14 |
|
5 |
A flat |
8 |
3 |
18 |
|
6 |
G |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
F |
15 |
1 |
14 |
|
8 |
E flat |
19 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
72 |
1 |
25 |
The New Peal
Dia Note Weight
ft. ins. cwt. qrs. lbs.
1. 2 5 F 6 1 26
2. 2 61/2 E flat 6 3 0
3. 2 81/2 D flat 7 3 2
4. 2 91/2 C 8 0 13
5. 3 0 B flat 8 2 24
6. 3 3 A flat 11 0 15
7. 3 71/2 G flat 14 2 21
8. 3 101/2 F 18 3 2
9. 4 31/2 E flat 24 3 18
10. 4 91/2 D flat 34 3 12
_____________
142 0 21
"The new bells are cast of the purest metal as specified by Lord Grimthorpe in his treatise upon 'Clocks, Watches and Bells;' and the whole peal is tuned upon the principles propounded by the Rev Prebendary Simpson, Rector of Tittleworth, that is to say, the harmonic tones of each bell are in true relation to it's fundamental note.
The fittings comprise all our latest improvements, viz., the Iron Girder headstocks, the Heywood lubricator, and the Hastings stays. The frames are of massive iron in H shaped castings, standing upon and bolted to stout steel girders."
Some notes about the old bells were printed in the February and March numbers of the Magazine. The top part of the old fourth bell on which is the founders mark, and that of the old 7th bell, on which is dome beautiful scroll work, and are now in the Church Museum, in the Priest's Room of St. Mary's Church.
The chimes will be rung on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th bells, thus giving a full octave between the last note of the chimes on No 3, and the stroke of the Tenor No. 10.
The total cost will be about £1,600, in which is included the value of the old bells, about £400.
The inscriptions on the bells are as follows:-
1. SURSUM CORDA
2. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO.
3. CANATE DOMINO CANTICUM NOVUM.
4. AUDITE ET VENITE VENITE ET AUDITE
5. VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO.
6. IHON WILSON, WILLIAM ELLERINGTON, RICHARD SILEATO, IEFFERY TALER, 1631. MAGNIFICAT ANIMA MEA DOMINUM. ITERUM FUSUM,1900.
7. VT TVBA SIC SONITY DOMINI CNDVCO CHORTES, 1599, PD RC RS WI. INTERUM FUSUM, 1900.
8. ANTE IACETIS HUMO SONITV RESIPICITE MÆSTO SA ROBINSON ED FARMER IO GARTON RI GREYBORNE GVARDIANI IT, 1700. ITERUM FUSUM, 1900.
9. NOS RESONARE IUBENT PIETAS MORS ATQUE VOLUPTAS.
10. DEUM LAUDO VIVOS VOCO MORTUOS PLANGO.
BY REASON OF A GIFT OF £850 BY MERCY CRUST THE BELLS OF THE FORMER RING OF EIGHT EXCEPT THE FIFTH WERE USED IN CASTING THIS RING OF TEN A.D. 1900.
ROBERT FISHER VICAR
EDWARD NICHOLAS HILL,
JOHN STEPHENSON, CHURCHWARDENS
MARMADUKE WRAY,
F.G. HOBSON, CLK TO CHWDNS.
The dedication of the new peel is fixed for 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, June the 2nd by His Grace the Archbishop of York.
July 1900
Our New Bells.
The following article appeared in the Beverley Guardian of July 9th:-
"The art of bell founding has made a stride within the last four years, which almost amounts to a revolution. In the Pall Mall Magazine for October 1895, and September , 1896, appeared two articles by the Rev A. B. Simpson, Rector of Fittleworth in the Prebendary of Chichester, which were the first intimation to the general public of the series of careful and elaborate experiments made by the Messrs Taylor, of Loughborough, under his direction, which have now reduced to scientific rule the art of making bells in tune with themselves. The best mediæval bells were so, more or less; but no exact system or method of securing this result had been elaborated, and until the last four years it was thought sufficient to tune bells in the sound-bow (the thick part struck by the clapper) which gives the nominal tone; and a peal of eight or ten bells was thought to be musically good if the eight or ten nominal tones were in tune with each other. But every bell gives out subordinate notes; there is the fundamental, which ought to be an exact octave below the nominal; the hum note, which should be an octave lower still, while the 'thirds' and 'fifths' are also important. In the great bell of Erfurt, the most musically famous of continental bells, cast in 1477, the organist, Gleitz, observed no less than eight proper tones. Without going further into technical details, we need only ad that by "Tonal Tours" among the bells of Germany and Belgium, careful and experiment and unstinted expenditure on costly machinery, the Messrs Taylor are now able to tune all the sound zones in each bell, so that it gives one true and melodious chord, an effect which has only occasionally , and almost by chance, been achieved before, in a single bell, and probably never in a whole ring. The beautiful 'Treble bell' of the Minster was one of the first to which this method was applied, when it was recast in 1897. Since then the firm have turned out a good many peals, such as the fine new ring of ten at Holy Trinity, Hull, but the two most important in weight and depth of tone are those of S. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin (the gift of Lord Iveagh), and S. Mary's, Beverley; so that our town can now boast of possessing what is unquestionably, from a musical point of view, the finest peal in the country."
The new peal was dedicated on Saturday June 2nd by His Grace the Archbishop in the presence of a large congregation. There was full Choir, and the Clergy present from other Parishes were the Revs. Cannon Noloth, Vicar of the Minster and Rural Dean; M.B.W. Dawe (Walkington); Canon Standbridge (Bainton); W Dyer (Wawne); W Baker (Brandsburton); W.A.Pearman (Bishop Burton); E.Watts. (Leconfield); W.H.Rigg (Anston); W.H.Abraham (St Augustines Hull); W.E.Wigfall, G.H.Hewison, R.G.Pyne (Beverley); H.D. Blanchard (Middleton). The Proccessional Hymn ended, the Archbishop and his Chaplain (The Rural Dean), with the vicar and Churchwardens of St. Mary's took up their position under the Tower, and after the Collect the service proceeded according to the following extract from the office:-
"The Churchwardens taking the ropes of the bells shall then say-
Right Reverend Father in God, we request you to dedicate to the Glory of God, and the use of this Church, this peel of Bells.
The Bishop, receiving the ropes, shall then say--
By virtue of our sacred office, we do solemnly set apart and separate from all profane and un-hallowed uses these Bells, now dedicated to the glory of God, for the benefit of His Holy Church.
Then delivering the ropes to the Vicar--
Receive these bells as a sacred trust, committed unto thee as the appointed Minister of Christ in this Church and Parish, and take heed that they be ever and only used in His Service and for the His Glory.
After which the Bishop shall say to the Churchwardens and others standing by--
You are to take notice that these Bells of the Church are committed to the custody of the Vicar of the Parish, to be used with his consent, subject to the ultimate control of the Bishop of the Diocese"
The bells were then rung for two minutes. Special prayers and hymn followed, after which the Archbishop delivered his address and after the hymn "Spirit of mercy, truth and love," concluded the service with Benediction.
The Special Hymn used at the Dedication was as follows:-
Lifted safe within the steeple,
Now our bells are set on high,
To begin their Holy mission.
Midway 'twixt the earth and sky.
Far and near our hearts shall hear them,
In our toil and in our rest.
Telling how in one communion
Of one Church we all are blest.When the birds sing early Matins,
And the God of nature praise,
These their nobler morning music
To their God of Grace shall raise.
And when evening shadows soften
Cross and chancel, tower and aisle,
They shall blend their vesper summons
With the days departing smile.When God's day of rest and gladness
Calls us to our Father's home,
To His House and to His Altar
They shall bid His Children come:
They shall welcome little children
Born of water and the word,
And their wedding chimes shall tell of
Holier union with the Lord.They shall comfort sick and dying
In their hour of utmost need,
Whispering how, for weak and weary,
Holy Church doth ever plead;
To the mourners they shall whisper
That the dead in Christ are blest,
And our lost ones they shall welcome
To their Fathers loving breast.Thus in joy and thus in sadness
Shall our bells twixt earth and sky
Lift our hearts from earth to heaven,
Plead with man for God on high.
Consecrate them Lord Jehovah,
Holy may they be in thee,
Whom we laud in adoration
EVER BLESSED TRINITY.Amen
St Mary's Bells, Beverley
Hark to the peal of St. Mary's bells,
Which sweetly o'er the old town swells,
Sending their music far and near,
The way worn traveller to cheer;
And the old and weary once more to feel
A thrill of pleasure o'er them steal,
While listening to the joyous peal
Of the sweet bells of St Mary.Across the Westwood their clarion voices sound,
Where lovers and other belles are found,
Sinking their arms and with whisperings low,
List to those bells as onward they go,
They fancy a joyous peal could swell
If married they were 'neath St Mary's bells
The new, sweet bells of St Mary.St Mary, thy bells were ever sweet,
'Neath thy quaint old towers what joy to meet
Thy children, with faces and banners gay,
Pass through thine arches on holiday;
Many a head is now laid low
Who loved thy bells of long ago;
But, old or new, thy bells shall ring
Sweet sounds round St Mary's shall ever cling.
Thy sweet, new bells of St Mary.Thy worshippers now, side by side,
With beaming eyes and joyous pride
Shall issue forth from thine aisles
In peaceful, brotherly greeting smiles;
And new generations, when hearing thy voice,
Will still help thy Church and the poor to rejoice.
'Till to poor man's hut and rich man's hall
Thy bells shall peal and content shall fall,
Bidding a welcome to one and all,
From thy quaint old tower of St. Mary.E. J. Parkinson 22nd July 1900
Here is a description of work being carried out on the galleries and lofts of the church in 1756.
The same day confirmation of a costain, new enclosed gallery serving as a passage into the north loft or gallery of the Parish Church of Saint Mary in Beverley in the diocese of York from the last arch of the North Aisle and ajoining the North Wall continuing in length seventeen foot and eight inches and in bredth six foot and one inch or thereabouts with a staircase and stairs of twenty two steps five foot one inch broad adjoining the West Wall of the North end of the cross aisle of the church supported by four large wood pillars under the landing of the said staircase and about two smaller about the middle of the steps or stairs with a passage or gallery carried on from the landing or uppermost step / bannistered off on the East side of the North aisle and round the North West pillar of the arch of the steeple or tower and also on the last part of the middle aisle in length from the front of the top step twenty five foot or thereabouts the breadth being unequal by reason of the pillar and thereby a free open communication is made with the old staircase on the South loading to the South and middle lofts of the church was granted not withstanding the definitive sentence judicially read and promulgated for pulling down or causing to be taken and pulled down the same to John Marshall William Gorwood John Elinor and Henry Clough the present Churchwardens of the said parish for the time being for the use of parishioners and inhabitants of and within the said parish.
And then in 1787
To enlarge the two present lofts on the North and South sides of the Parish Church of Saint Mary in Beverley aforesaid by extending them at the West end in a direct line betwixt hte next 2 stone pillors eleven foot seven inches or thereabouts and to be carried back from the fronts to the North and South walls of the church eighteen foot seven inches or thereabouts to be the same height from the floor of the church as the present lofts to be supported in like manner by wooden pillors and to be added to and made part of the same.
These galleries and lofts contained pews which were paid for by certain members of the congregation or of the parish. An example of this is found in the 1788 pew rent book.
The twenty eighth of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight a confirmation of a certain seat stall or pew situate at the West end of the South side of the South aisle of the Parish Church of Saint Mary in Beverley in the Diocese of York being the first pew from the said West end adjoining on the East to the pews marked 124 now occupied by Mr William Brown on the West to the said West end of the said church, on the South to the South wall and opening on the North into the said South aisle opposite the pews wherein Mrs Coates and Mr John Binnington do or did lately sit containing in length five foot ten inches and in bredth five foot one inch or thereabouts was granted to William Wardle Brandy Merchant a Parishioner and inhabitant of and within the said parish for the use of himself and his family to sit kneel pray and hear Divine Service and sermons in so long as he shall continue to be a parishioner and inhabitant of the said church and duly frequent the said church.
In the North East tower pillar is the access to the belfry and ringing chamber. The doors which are visible on the South side of this pillar were access to the old rood loft where the organ was housed in the late 18th century. This was built by Donaldsons of York in 1792. The organ was brought down in the 1860's to allow the removal of the galleries and lofts as per Mr Pugins faculty of 1844 for the renovation of the building. It remained in the North transept until a new organ was built in 1868 by Forster and Andrews to a design by Gilbert Scott. This was re built by TC Lewis in 1907 and all the highly decorated pipes painted grey. The organ was modified by Hall and Broadfield in 1954. Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool are even now renovating the instrument as funds allow.
The church had galleries throughout its length until the great renovation of the mid 19th century which was supervised by Pugin until his death and later by Gilbert Scott.
Pugin's recommendations for the repairs were as follows.
Report on the state of S Mary's church Beverley and the proposed works and restorations.
1st Defect
Owing to the accumulation of soil in the church yard the whole building is buried to a depth of about 3 feet, this causes the main decay of the whole building for the damp and water from the roofs is continually forcing its way through the walls and sapping the foundations. To this cause several recent settlements ( especially in the North East side of the chancel may be accounted.
Remedy
It is proposed to cut a trench at least 6 feet wide from the walls of the building and as deep as the old level of the church, showing the base mould; the bottom of the trench to be flagged, and underneath a large barrel drain to receive all the water from the down spouts, and to convey the same to a main drain at the East end. It will be necessary to lower some graves which have encroached on the building. When this trench is formed the church will be entered from a level instead of down steps as at present.
2nd Defect
The whole Eastern end of the church is rendered useless by the present arrangement of seats as well as the western part of the nave while the rest of the nave and aisles are blocked up with unsightly pews and galleries, there are much decayed and in a filthy state, entirely destroy the beauty of the fabrick and occasion a great loss of space. The pavement of the nave and aisles is also in a very bad state.
Remedy
Remove the whole of the present pews and galleries and relay the whole of the church floor hollow with air holes beneath. Seat the nave aisles and transepts with after artists models which would contain 14 or 1500 sittings and place the pulpit at the North West pillar of the Great tower.
3rd Defect
The external doors especially those of the transepts are badly fitted, decaying and open at the bottom so as to allow a great body of external air rendering the church very cold in windy weather.
Remedy
Fix new doors to transepts, west end and porches each provided with a small wicket door. Fix internal or weather screens round and over each doorway so that the air cannot penetrate directly into the building. When this was done the eastern part of the church will be as warm if not warmer than the present nave.
4th Defect
The pillars, niches and other portions of the fabrick have been disfigured and injured by tablets and sepulchral monuments being fixed against them.
Remedy
Remove them to plain surfaces of wall and restore the portions of the church that have been cut away to receive them.
5th Defect
A doorway has been cut for the ringers through the main pier of the tower in the North East angle and a fire place has been built in the ringing chamber exceedingly dangerous to the fabrick.
Remedy
Open the doorway to the old rood staircase yet remaining perfect and build up the new doorway.
Remove the fire place in the ringing chamber entirely it is further suggested to remove the present ceiling under the ringing chamber and open the Lantern to the body of the church as originally intended and ring the bells from the floor of the church
6th Defect
A settlement is still going on in the South transept the south wall of which is going outwardly.
Remedy
A iron chain tie from the main piers of the tower to each angle of the South transept.
7th Defect
Owing to long neglect of drainage the north side of the church particularly at the east end is in a most decayed state, some recent settlements have taken place and the most serious consequences are to be apprehended ........ prompt and effective measures are taken.
Remedy
After formation of the drain and excavation of the ground the whole basement must be restored and in some cases underpinned the joists stopped with cement and the weatheys of water tables restored. New and sufficient down pipes must also be found to carry the water off roofs down to the new drain.
8th Defect
The West end of the church is fast going to decay and in a few years it will be difficult to restore the ornamental parts accurately. The western turrets especially require speedy attention.
Remedy
Rebuild the western turrets, insert stones where the old ones are defective. Take out the tracery of the great west window and replace it by new. Restore parapet inside of Do and restore ornamental work generally.
9th Defect
The screens of the chancel which are of beautiful design and execution have been removed from their original positions and set about the church in a mutilated state.
The stalls also have been removed from their original position and set against the walls of the chancel, a very offensive altar screen has been set up at the east end during the last century.
Remedy
Restore the screens to their original positions so as to enclose the chancel, replace the stalls in their antient position in the chancel after the manner of a cathedral choir and remove the offensive altar screen and replace it by one in accordance with the beauty of the fabrick, restore paint ceiling of chancel and aisles of Do.
10th Defect
The roofs are much decayed in parts especially near the wall plates and the lead is in a defective state.
Remedy
Strip the roofs by degrees commencing with the North transept and scarf and bolt on sound pieces in place of the decayed. Recast the lead and fix the same with a ridge roll instead of the present manner.
These repairs and restorations are very considerable but by extending them over a number of years they may be successfully accomplished, the essential repairs for ending the disability of the church being first executed and then of an ornamental description afterwards.
The following is the order in which the various works shall be executed.
1.
The formation of drains and the excavation round the building and repair of the foundations.
2.
The removal of the pews and galleries and substitution of seats, new doors and weather screens so that the nave and transepts of the church may be rendered fit for the celebration of Divine Service. The new pulpit may be added anytime.
3.
The securing of the South transept wall.
4.
The repair of the roofs and external walls.
5.
The repair and restoration of the interior and exterior of the tower.
6.
The restoration of the chancel and lantern portion of the church.
A Welby Pugin
S Augustines Ramsgate Oct. 10 1844
Approved by Archdeacon of the East Riding Nov. 2
Specification of work to be done in draining the North side of St Mary's Church Beverley
1
Excavate the earth to the level of the top of the original foundations averaging 3 feet below the present surface and to be 6 inches below the church floor. The width of this excavation according to drawing. (6 feet)
2
Construct a 12 inch barrel drain the bottom brick laid in cement all round the north side of the as shown in plans with grates provided in each compartment to receive water and leading drains from every down pipe. This barrel drain to lead into the main drains already formed to the eastward of the church.
3
Sink all graves that have been constructed within 80 years that occur in the present line of excavation and lay the headstones over them as part of the flagging.
4
Flag the whole floor of the excavation with 2" York flagging to be bedded in mortar.
5
Build a wall all round the off side of the excavations to keep up the earth 1 of 14" brick work with set offs and brick coping as shown in drawing.
6
Temporary wooden spouts to be fixed from the down pipes of the roof during formation of the drain so as to throw the water several feet from the foundations of the church.
7
Solid York steps 12 by 6 and of the length shown in the drawings to be fixed leading down from the present level of the churchyard to the church doors.
The whole of the above work to be exacted in a substantial manner to the entire satisfaction of the architect.
A Welby Pugin
S Augustines Ramsgate Oct. 10 1844.
The faculty to York read thus:
Granville Harcourt Vernon master of arts Vicar General and official Principal of the Most Reverend Father in God Edward by divine providence Lord Archbishop of York Primate of England and Metropolitan lawfully authorised. To all and singular Clerks and Literate persons whomsoever and wheresoever within the Diocese of York Greeting. We do hereby order and charge you jointly and severally that you or one of you do peremptorily cite All and singular the parishioners and inhabitants of the united parishes of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas in Beverley in the county and diocese of York and all others in general who have or pretend to have any right tithe or interest in or unto the fabrick of the church of Saint Mary in Beverley aforesaid and to that part of the said churchyard which is contiguous to and surrounds the said church and in and to the Seats Stalls Pews Lofts Galleries Organ Screens Tombs Monuments and Sepulchral Tablets in the said church to appear before us or our lawful Representative in the Consistory place within the Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Saint Peter of York on Thursday being the thirty first day of the month of October instant between the hours of eight and twelve in the forenoon of the same day to shew reasonable and lawful cause if they have or know any why a Licence or Faculty to excavate the earth round the exterior of the said Church to such a sufficient width and depth as may be requisite in ord effectually to dry the walls and secure the foundations of the said church and to place proper and sufficient drains therein and for that purpose to sink such graves as lie in the width of such excavation observing strict decency and decorum in so doing. Also to flag within such excavation and build a wall all round the off side of such excavation to keep up the earth and place steps leading down from the present level of the church yard to the church doors, also to take down and rebuild the western turrets of the said church and replace all the tracery , parapets and pinnacles thereof agreeably to the original design also to take out and replace the windows in the said church or such of them as are out of repair and new mullions and tracery and re-glaze the same and to take the lead from off the roof of the said church and recast the same and recover the roof therewith and to repair and restore the ceiling of the said church in strict accordance with the general architecture of the said church also to remove and take away the present doors and place new doors in the transepts West End and Porches of the said church. Also to take down and remove the Font, Pulpit, Reading desk and Parish Clerks desk, the Altar Screen, the Chancel Screen the stalls in the Chancel the seats stalls and pews in the Nave Aisles Transepts and the lofts and galleries and all modern and temporary fittings in the said church. Also take down and remove such parts of the present ceiling of the said church and such parts of the roof as may be found necessary Also take up and remove the present floor or pavement of the said church and remove the tombstones therein. Also to relay the whole flooring of the said church hollow with air holes below and replace the tombstones in their exact former positions to take down such tombs and monumental tablets as are now placed against any of the pillars of the said church or which otherwise interfere with the architectural beauty or the convenience of the building and place them as near to their former situations as may be in accordance with the architecture of the said church. Also to wall up the door now cut through the main pier of the tower on the north east angle thereof and to open the old door way to the old rood gallery and to take away and remove the chimney and fire place in the Ringers Chamber and the present ceiling under the said chamber and thus lay open the lantern tower to the body of the said church also erect a new altar screen and place the Chancel stalls one each side of the Chancel being their original poitions also to place the font opposite the West door of the said church also to place the pulpit Reading Desk and Parish Clerks desk at the North West Pillar of the great tower of the said church also to place the organ in a more appropriate position in the said church. Also to fit up the Nave, Aisles and Transepts of the said church with oaken benches or open stalls to contain one thousand four hundred sittings at the least. Also to repair and effectually secure the Towers Walls Pillars Buttresses Stiches Pinnacles and Pillars of the said church and restore the ornaments and tracery thereof. The whole to be perfected and finished in strict accordance with the report of Amelly Welby Pugin esquire and the resolutions of the vicar and Churchwardens of the said parish and the specification hereunto annexed marked respectively A B C & D and approved and signed by the venerable Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry should not be committed and granted to the Reverend William Travis Sandys Clerk the Vicar and James Mould Robinson George Binnington John Holmes Charles Brereton the Churchwardens of the said parish of Saint Mary in Beverley with the power to use such of the old materials as may be found suitable and to dispose of the remainder of such materials soil and rubbish and apply the produce thereof towards defraying the expenses of the aforesaid alterations and further the promotion of the said William Travis Sandys James Mould Robinson George Binnington John Holmes and Charles Brereton to do and suffer to be done what to justice appertains and what you or any of you shall do in the premises you shall duly certify to us or our lawful representative at the time and place aforesaid together with these presents Given at York under the seal of our office this nineteenth day of the month of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Joseph Buckle
Deputy Registrar
In 1850 there was an appeal for funds to renovate the inside of the church as described later by "A Churchman" in one of the letters below. The appeal notice appeared around Beverley and was worded thus:
Restoration of the interior of St Mary's Church, Beverley, Yorkshire.
The present state of the interior of St Mary''s Church cannot but be a subject of painful reproach to the Parishioners.
The funds arising from the Church property have been of necessity ( owing to the ruinous condition of the fabric itself ) anticipated for several years to come: and when they shall be again available, the restoration of the North East corner, and the pinnacles &c of the tower and nave will require them for many years more.
It is highly necessary that steps be taken to restore the interior of the nave without further delay, by voluntary contributions.
For this purpose plans have been obtained by the Vicar and Churchwardens to carry out which, it is estimated, that a sum of £1500 will be required.
Subscriptions are urgently requested towards the work.
In 1851 during the restoration work that had been thus far carried out the Churchwardens met in July and and decided to have what amounted to a car boot sale of enormous proportions.
'From the Archives'
"Ordered that the 2 lantern towers, the stonework from the old West Window and the oak woodwork taken from the Chancel to be sold by auction. The foreman was instructed to set out the stone work of the west window in lots in the Church yard."
Some 5 years later in the first edition of the Beverley Guardian an article which ran for several editions entitled "An Antiquarian Ramble through Beverley" found Saint Mary's the target for the editors scathing pen.
From the Beverley Guardian of January 12th 1856:
"A stranger who enters the good town of Beverley for the first time, will naturally splash through the muddy swamp of Railway Street direct to the Minster. But when he has satisfied his curiosity, or his taste, with an inspection of this sacred edifice, his attention will probably be attracted by the one pinnacled tower of the venerable ruin which serves for the Parish Church of St. Mary with St. Nicholas. If he possesses any knowledge of ecclesiastical architecture, he will not contemplate without a sigh the degradation of its exterior beauties. He will lament over the absence of the ornaments which once adorned the roof of the nave - be aggrieved by the glaring obtrusiveness of the flying buttresses at the transept - and wonder at the fantastic condition to which the mixed influences of restoration and decay have reduced the central tower. But it will be better for him to reserve the expression of surprise and disappointment till he has affected an entrance. Half a door - which yet remains in a practicable state - will admit him to the transept. The irregular and broken stones, which form the pavement, are dank with perpetual moisture, and seem ready to sink beneath his feet; nor will this feeling of insecurity be removed on raising his eyes to the fissured wall which appears not to support the roof. But let him pass now into the nave - and there he cannot fail to exclaim against "the abomination of desolation!" Pews up, and pews down - pews facing east and facing west - sinking northward or southward; dark worm eaten oak patched with begrimed but unpainted deal - dingy baize hanging in tatters from rusty nails - everywhere around him, floor, walls, and atmosphere heavy with the damp and dirt of ages. Here an enterprising curate has scraped the Minstrels' column, and left visible its original colouring of red and green, to contrast with the prevailing wash of yellow - there a stone has fallen from the wall and left a square hole, prophetic of impending disaster to the adjoining window - all around pillars and walls are disfigured by the marks left in the removal of the galleries, and the cutting down of the screens and canopies which once protected the worshippers from observation and from cold. The gorgeously coloured lights of the undeniably modern Western window serve only to render more apparent and incongruous the general dilapidation.
"Is it possible" - our visitor might ask of the expectant verger - "that a congregation still assembles in the midst of all this damp, and dirt, and ruin?" Yes - we are advised that the main walls are safe - we have gas laid on which pollutes, if it does not warm the air - and as for the dirt, it annoys us least, when least disturbed.
Now we are aware that the church funds are still heavily encumbered by the cost of the repairs already executed by the Church-wardens - and that all the available surplus, for years to come, must of necessity be expended in preserving the building itself from the imminent danger of absolutely perishing. But must the parishioners therefore in the House of God look contentedly upon dirt and disorder, which they would not for a moment permit in their own dwellings? Are there no churchmen in Beverley or the East Riding - no emulators of the ancient piety, to which we owe these sacred edifices - who will stretch forth a hand to rescue one of the noblest parish churches in Yorkshire from its precarious and dismal condition."
This letter followed in the next edition of the Beverley Guardian
"To the Editor of the Beverley Guardian
Sir,- I read with great pleasure your able article in last weeks Guardian, on the dilapidated state of St. Mary's Church, I am very glad that you have called the attention of the public to it, as it's condition is most disgraceful; no wonder that the congregation assembling is so small' for how can it be expected that people should resort to a church, when everything seems to be done to repel rather than to attract them. But, Sir, you must allow me to dissent from the inference that you seem to draw, that it is the apathy of the inhabitants of Beverley that allows an edifice that ought to be their pride, to become their disgrace. I can assure you that it is not so; on more than one occasion an attempt has been made to raise a fund for the restoration of the interior, but from some mysterious cause always without success. It is little more than a year ago that Mr Peach (whose endeavour deserves to be remembered with gratitude), undeterred by previous failures, made a new and vigorous effort for the same purpose. A meeting of some parishioners was held in the vestry, and from about twenty who attended, and their friends, above £400 were promised. A great number of other persons too, stated their intentions of giving smaller sums, and everything gave hope that at last, that which had been so long in contemplation, was in a fair way of being accomplished, when behold a sudden chill fell upon it, and this endeavour like the previous ones proved abortive. Now, Sir, what is the reason of these failures? I cannot tell, it could not have been the fault of Mr Peach that the last trial failed because he was evidently most anxious to carry out his plans, and much grieved that he was not able to do so; neither do I believe that it was the Churchwardens, for they were equally interested and did everything in their power to assist him; but it is clear that some obstacle which prevents anything form being done, some incubus which rests on all the efforts that are made, and until that is removed it seems vain to renew the attempt. I trust I have shown that it is not a dislike to part with their money, or a want of the appreciation of the beauties of their church, on the inhabitants of Beverley, that causes it to remain so long in this miserable state; and I am quite sure, from the liberal sums which were promised on the last occasion, and from the great interest that was then shewn by all classes, that if they could feel secure that nothing would occur to stop their proceedings after they had once commenced, there would be no difficulty in raising a sufficient sum entirely to restore the interior, and to make it, as might easily be made, one of the most beautiful Parish Churches in the kingdom. That such may yet be the case is the sincere wish of
Your obedient Servant
A Churchman
Beverley, Jan. 30th, 18