Church of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Souldern
Encyclopedia
The Parish Church of the Annunciation
to the Blessed Virgin Mary
is the Church of England parish church
of Souldern
, a village in Oxfordshire
about 7 miles (11.3 km) northwest of Bicester
and a similar distance southeast of Banbury
.
tower, north wall of the nave
and north doorway. The south aisle is of three bays
and was originally a Norman addition made before the end of the 12th century.
The original chancel
may have been a Norman apse
, but it was replaced with a larger, rectangular chancel with a new chancel arch. The Victoria County History
dates this rebuilding to the early part of the 13th century but Sherwood and Pevsner attribute the work to about 1300.
Early in the 14th century the south aisle was rebuilt on a larger scale in the Decorated Gothic style. The two Norman columns from the aisle's arcade
were re-used to support three new pointed arches. A Norman capital
turned upside-down now serves as the base of one of the columns. Decorated Gothic windows were added into the old north wall of the nave as well.
Late in the 15th or early in the 16th century the Perpendicular Gothic clerestorey was added to the nave.
Early in the 18th century St. Mary's was reported to be in good condition, but by 1775 the chancel was ruinous and its roof had fallen in. The Rector had the chancel demolished and a much smaller, low-roofed one built in its stead. A west gallery
was added in 1815 and removed in 1878. In 1896-97 the Gothic Revival architect
Ninian Comper
rebuilt the chancel, possibly working with his partner William Bucknall. In 1906 G.F. Bodley
dismantled and rebuilt the Norman tower and tower arch.
had three bells and a Sanctus
bell. One bell from that period survives: the Whitechapel Bell Foundry
recast it in 1910. Henry Bagley of Chacombe cast three of the current bells: two including the tenor in 1631 and another in 1635. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast two new bells including the treble in 1907, completing the present ring
of six.
of Souldern, had given the advowson
of the parish to the Benedictine
Eynsham Abbey
. The abbot retained the advowson until the abbey was suppressed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries
in 1539. In 1544 Henry VIII
sold the advowson to Sir Ralph Sadler
, but thereafter it changed hands several times. In 1551 John Hales
gave it to his brother Stephen. By 1562 one William Holt of Stoke Lyne
was patron.
Sir Hugh Throckmorton held the advowson by 1571, and in 1572 he sold it to George Throckmorton of Fulbrook, Buckinghamshire. However, the recusant
Francis Throckmorton
claimed Sir Hugh had granted him the advowson. In 1584 Francis was executed for treason and his properties were attaindered
, so thereafter the Crown
controlled the advowson. In 1623 the Crown granted the advowson to John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln
, who in turn granted it to St John's College, Cambridge
. By the 1650s a William Norbury of Hanwell
owned George Throckmorton's claim and sold it to the Rector of Souldern. In 1662 the Rector granted this claim to St John's College, thus ending the dispute. The College still owned the advowson in 1955.
, Fritwell
, Lower Heyford
and Upper Heyford
.
that was built before 1638 and had fishponds well-stocked with carp
by 1723. The poet William Wordsworth
stayed there in 1820. Afterwards he wrote the sonnet
A Parsonage in Oxfordshire, and in another sonnet called the house "this humble and beautiful parsonage". In 1809 this historic house was demolished and replaced with a new one designed by the Gothic Revival architect E.G. Bruton
.
Annunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
is the Church of England parish church
Church of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
of Souldern
Souldern
Souldern is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about northwest of Bicester and a similar distance southeast of Banbury. The parish is bounded to the west by the River Cherwell and to the east by field boundaries. Its northern boundary is Ockley Brook, a tributary of the Cherwell that forms...
, a village in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
about 7 miles (11.3 km) northwest of Bicester
Bicester
Bicester is a town and civil parish in the Cherwell district of northeastern Oxfordshire in England.This historic market centre is one of the fastest growing towns in Oxfordshire Development has been favoured by its proximity to junction 9 of the M40 motorway linking it to London, Birmingham and...
and a similar distance southeast of Banbury
Banbury
Banbury is a market town and civil parish on the River Cherwell in the Cherwell District of Oxfordshire. It is northwest of London, southeast of Birmingham, south of Coventry and north northwest of the county town of Oxford...
.
History
The church's origins are unknown, but the earliest known record of it is from 1161. Its oldest parts are the 12th century NormanNorman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
tower, north wall of the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and north doorway. The south aisle is of three bays
Bay (architecture)
A bay is a unit of form in architecture. This unit is defined as the zone between the outer edges of an engaged column, pilaster, or post; or within a window frame, doorframe, or vertical 'bas relief' wall form.-Defining elements:...
and was originally a Norman addition made before the end of the 12th century.
The original chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
may have been a Norman apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
, but it was replaced with a larger, rectangular chancel with a new chancel arch. The Victoria County History
Victoria County History
The Victoria History of the Counties of England, commonly known as the Victoria County History or the VCH, is an English history project which began in 1899 and was dedicated to Queen Victoria with the aim of creating an encyclopaedic history of each of the historic counties of...
dates this rebuilding to the early part of the 13th century but Sherwood and Pevsner attribute the work to about 1300.
Early in the 14th century the south aisle was rebuilt on a larger scale in the Decorated Gothic style. The two Norman columns from the aisle's arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
were re-used to support three new pointed arches. A Norman capital
Capital (architecture)
In architecture the capital forms the topmost member of a column . It mediates between the column and the load thrusting down upon it, broadening the area of the column's supporting surface...
turned upside-down now serves as the base of one of the columns. Decorated Gothic windows were added into the old north wall of the nave as well.
Late in the 15th or early in the 16th century the Perpendicular Gothic clerestorey was added to the nave.
Early in the 18th century St. Mary's was reported to be in good condition, but by 1775 the chancel was ruinous and its roof had fallen in. The Rector had the chancel demolished and a much smaller, low-roofed one built in its stead. A west gallery
West gallery music
West Gallery Music, also known as "Georgian psalmody" refers to the sacred music sung and played in English parish churches, as well as nonconformist chapels, from 1700 to around 1850...
was added in 1815 and removed in 1878. In 1896-97 the Gothic Revival architect
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
Ninian Comper
Ninian Comper
Sir John Ninian Comper was a Scottish-born architect. He was one of the last of the great Gothic Revival architects, noted for his churches and their furnishings...
rebuilt the chancel, possibly working with his partner William Bucknall. In 1906 G.F. Bodley
George Frederick Bodley
George Frederick Bodley was an English architect working in the Gothic revival style.-Personal life:Bodley was the youngest son of William Hulme Bodley, M.D. of Edinburgh, physician at Hull Royal Infirmary, Kingston upon Hull, who in 1838 retired to his wife's home town, Brighton, Sussex, England....
dismantled and rebuilt the Norman tower and tower arch.
Bells
By 1552 the bell towerBell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
had three bells and a Sanctus
Sanctus
The Sanctus is a hymn from Christian liturgy, forming part of the Order of Mass. In Western Christianity, the Sanctus is sung as the final words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine...
bell. One bell from that period survives: the Whitechapel Bell Foundry
Whitechapel Bell Foundry
The Whitechapel Bell Foundry is a bell foundry in Whitechapel in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London. The foundry is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest manufacturing company in Great Britain...
recast it in 1910. Henry Bagley of Chacombe cast three of the current bells: two including the tenor in 1631 and another in 1635. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast two new bells including the treble in 1907, completing the present ring
Change ringing
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
of six.
Advowson
By 1161 Jordan de Say, who owned the manorManorialism
Manorialism, an essential element of feudal society, was the organizing principle of rural economy that originated in the villa system of the Late Roman Empire, was widely practiced in medieval western and parts of central Europe, and was slowly replaced by the advent of a money-based market...
of Souldern, had given the advowson
Advowson
Advowson is the right in English law of a patron to present or appoint a nominee to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church living, a process known as presentation. In effect this means the right to nominate a person to hold a church office in a parish...
of the parish to the Benedictine
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
Eynsham Abbey
Eynsham Abbey
Eynsham Abbey was a Benedictine monastery in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, in England between 1005 and 1538. King Æthelred allowed Æthelmær the Stout to found the abbey in 1005. There is some evidence that the abbey was built on the site of an earlier minster, probably founded in the 7th or 8th...
. The abbot retained the advowson until the abbey was suppressed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
in 1539. In 1544 Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
sold the advowson to Sir Ralph Sadler
Ralph Sadler
Sir Ralph Sadler, PC, Knight banneret was an English statesman of the 16th century, and served as a Secretary of State for King Henry VIII.-Background:...
, but thereafter it changed hands several times. In 1551 John Hales
John Hales (d.1571)
John Hales was an English writer, administrator and politician.-Life:A son of Thomas Hales of Hales Place, Halden, Kent, Hales was brought up by Christopher Hales, who was an uncle or else a more distant relation. Without a university education, he learned Latin, Greek, French, and German...
gave it to his brother Stephen. By 1562 one William Holt of Stoke Lyne
Stoke Lyne
Stoke Lyne is a village and civil parish about north of Bicester, Oxfordshire.-Manor:Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumbria owned the manor of Stoke Lyne before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066...
was patron.
Sir Hugh Throckmorton held the advowson by 1571, and in 1572 he sold it to George Throckmorton of Fulbrook, Buckinghamshire. However, the recusant
Recusancy
In the history of England and Wales, the recusancy was the state of those who refused to attend Anglican services. The individuals were known as "recusants"...
Francis Throckmorton
Francis Throckmorton
Sir Francis Throckmorton was a conspirator against Queen Elizabeth I of England.He was the son of Sir John Throckmorton and a nephew of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, one of Elizabeth's diplomats. Sir John had held the post of Chief Justice of Chester but was removed in 1579, a year before his death...
claimed Sir Hugh had granted him the advowson. In 1584 Francis was executed for treason and his properties were attaindered
Attainder
In English criminal law, attainder or attinctura is the metaphorical 'stain' or 'corruption of blood' which arises from being condemned for a serious capital crime . It entails losing not only one's property and hereditary titles, but typically also the right to pass them on to one's heirs...
, so thereafter the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
controlled the advowson. In 1623 the Crown granted the advowson to John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
, who in turn granted it to St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
. By the 1650s a William Norbury of Hanwell
Hanwell, Oxfordshire
Hanwell is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire, northwest of Banbury.-Early history:Remains of a substantial Roman villa have been found just west of the B4100 main road....
owned George Throckmorton's claim and sold it to the Rector of Souldern. In 1662 the Rector granted this claim to St John's College, thus ending the dispute. The College still owned the advowson in 1955.
Benefice
The Church of the Annunciation is now a member of the Cherwell Valley Benefice along with the parishes of ArdleyArdley
Ardley is a village in Ardley with Fewcott civil parish in Oxfordshire, England, about northwest of Bicester. The parish includes the village of Fewcott that is now contiguous with Ardley.-History:...
, Fritwell
Fritwell
Fritwell is a village and civil parish about northwest of Bicester in Oxfordshire. The parish's southern boundary is a stream that flows eastwards through Fewcott and past the villages of Fringford and Godington before entering Buckinghamshire where it becomes part of Padbury Brook, a tributary of...
, Lower Heyford
Lower Heyford
Lower Heyford is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire, beside the River Cherwell about west of Bicester.-Prehistory:Aves ditch is pre-Anglo-Saxon and may have been dug as a boundary ditch...
and Upper Heyford
Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire
Upper Heyford is a village and civil parish about northwest of Bicester in Oxfordshire, England.-Location:Upper Heyford is on the east bank of the River Cherwell. "Upper" distinguishes it from Lower Heyford which is about "lower", downstream along the Cherwell valley...
.
Vicarage
The Church of the Annunciation had a rectoryRectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
that was built before 1638 and had fishponds well-stocked with carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
by 1723. The poet William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was a major English Romantic poet who, with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped to launch the Romantic Age in English literature with the 1798 joint publication Lyrical Ballads....
stayed there in 1820. Afterwards he wrote the sonnet
Sonnet
A sonnet is one of several forms of poetry that originate in Europe, mainly Provence and Italy. A sonnet commonly has 14 lines. The term "sonnet" derives from the Occitan word sonet and the Italian word sonetto, both meaning "little song" or "little sound"...
A Parsonage in Oxfordshire, and in another sonnet called the house "this humble and beautiful parsonage". In 1809 this historic house was demolished and replaced with a new one designed by the Gothic Revival architect E.G. Bruton
Edward George Bruton
Edward George Bruton was a British Gothic Revival architect who practiced in Oxford. He was made an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1855 and a Fellow of the RIBA in 1861.-Work:...
.