The Medieval Church on Exmoor

THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH ON EXMOOR

The manor and the church increasingly governed the everyday lives of the people of southern Exmoor. People became parochial, that is they felt an allegiance to the parish where they were born, lived, had their children baptised, and where their kindred were buried.

The great phase of Norman church building was followed by medieval enlargement, the addition of aisles and towers, and the insertion of larger windows. Winsford’s chancel was built in the 13th century and a window contains 14th century glass. West Anstey was probably rebuilt in 1319 when its altars were dedicated. In the 14th century a new chancel and tower were added at Hawkridge. Fifteenth-century prosperity and devotion are evidenced in the church towers of Dulverton, East Anstey, Molland, and Exford, the tower and aisle at West Anstey, the naves of Hawkridge and Winsford, and the virtual rebuilding of Brushford, Molland, and Withypool churches. Before its 19th-century rebuilding Dulverton church had a fine Perpendicular south aisle and early 15th-century chancel with three windows installed in 1425—6.

The church towers are not as tall or decorative as many lowland towers but then they usually have the advantage, and disadvantage, of a high site. The quality of surviving windows and doors shows that the parishioners could afford the finest work. Victorian rebuilding and restoration have removed the evidence of medieval work from many other churches.

The parish church was the focus of the community. Many people left livestock, money, jewellery, clothing, or wax to their parish church, or to fraternities. Frideswide Thorne of Winsford gave a silver ring and sheep to the church fraternities. Fraternities, usually dedicated to a saint, lent money in time of need or paid for the burial of members. Many churches had lights burning before the image of a saint, on the rood screen or at an altar. Dulverton had at least seven lights and four fraternities. A Winsford widow left a sheep to the church in 1557 and its wool was sold to benefit church funds in 1558. Robert Catford of Dulverton left money towards painting the high cross in the church.

Clergy like George Elsworthy of Exford and William Vicary of Winsford in the 1530s left money for prayers. Elsworthy also gave money to glaze the west window of Dunster church, books to Cleeve abbey if they made a library within a year of his death, and all his sheep to his servant. The residue was to go towards building an aisle in Exford church to which many of his parishioners had also made bequests. The same year Richard Coppe, evidently the Exford blacksmith, gave £3 towards the aisle if the parish would begin the work within three years of his death. He left his anvil and tools to his son and a caldron to the church for an anniversary service. Resident clergy farmed their glebe (church land). In 1536 William Vicary, vicar of Winsford and rector of Brushford, left all his sheep and cattle in Brushford parish to the church.[1]

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[1] Weaver, F W, ed., Wells Wills (1890), 73—5, 82—5, 196—200.