Church of St Aldhelm, Doulting
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Aldhelm in Doulting
, Somerset
, England dates from the 12th century. It is a Grade I listed building.
The church has a tall spire rather than the towers which are more usual in Somerset. It has a two-storey porch which incorporates a carving of the Green Man
into its vaulting
.
The dedication to St Aldhelm is unusual and arises from the 8th century when King Ine of Wessex
gave the local estate to Glastonbury Abbey
after his nephew Aldhelm died in the village in 709. In his honour the local spring which is the source of the River Sheppey
is called St Aldhelm's Well.
In August 2007 the graveyard of the church was excavated using a mechanical digger in order to install a septic tank
for a toilet in the church. Local residents were outraged when they saw the digger had dug through ancient graves, destroying human remains. The controversy caused locals to stage a protest to voice their objection and attempt to stop the work from taking place.
Doulting
Doulting is a village and civil parish east of Shepton Mallet, on the A361, in the Mendip district of Somerset, England.-History:The parish of Doulting was part of the Whitstone Hundred....
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England dates from the 12th century. It is a Grade I listed building.
The church has a tall spire rather than the towers which are more usual in Somerset. It has a two-storey porch which incorporates a carving of the Green Man
Green Man
A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit...
into its vaulting
Vault (architecture)
A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
.
The dedication to St Aldhelm is unusual and arises from the 8th century when King Ine of Wessex
Ine of Wessex
Ine was King of Wessex from 688 to 726. He was unable to retain the territorial gains of his predecessor, Cædwalla, who had brought much of southern England under his control and expanded West Saxon territory substantially...
gave the local estate to Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The ruins are now a grade I listed building, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are open as a visitor attraction....
after his nephew Aldhelm died in the village in 709. In his honour the local spring which is the source of the River Sheppey
River Sheppey
The River Sheppey has its source in a group of springs west of the village of Doulting, near Shepton Mallet in Somerset, England. It flows through the wetlands to the north of the Polden Hills and ultimately joins the River Brue.- Route :...
is called St Aldhelm's Well.
In August 2007 the graveyard of the church was excavated using a mechanical digger in order to install a septic tank
Septic tank
A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations...
for a toilet in the church. Local residents were outraged when they saw the digger had dug through ancient graves, destroying human remains. The controversy caused locals to stage a protest to voice their objection and attempt to stop the work from taking place.