Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
17 September 2010
15:4871329In the first half of the 16 century, king Henry VIII tried to have our town's church demolished, and it was transformed into a stable, with plans to rip it down.
Both of Dover's priories were pulled down in that period. Also, the English Queen was beheaded on false charges, and yet she had persuaded Henry VIII to introduce reforms, but not those ripping down and persecution reforms that later came under Thomas Cromwell. She also persuaded the king to stop all persecution of Christians on account of their faith. In fact, people who did not agree with Catholic doctrines were imprisoned and burned.
This remarkable Queen was betrayed by Thomas Cromwel, who had been favoured by her and made a career owing to her. He then took over and tried to tear down our Saint Mary in the Town Church too.
But the Dovorians petitioned the king to lay off, and he got down where they told him and didn't dare touch our Church, which became one of Dover's Parish Churches
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
17 September 2010
15:5071331One of Dover's Churches was to be 'converted' at the start of the 21 century, but the Church fought back!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
17 September 2010
15:5171332must have been difficult for st mary's in those times, what with the eight bells opposite.
17 September 2010
16:5171337Interesting version of history there Alexander. Not entirely in keeping with established thought.
18 September 2010
00:2271393Howard - you're a scream
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
18 September 2010
16:2871464St Marys Church:
Before Henry VIII:
"When Mr PALMES was Vicar he once thought about placing a brass tablet on one of the western Norman pillars to record the fact (as most authorities would say) that King Stephen was buried in that spot, i.e. just where the old Saxon altar step was. When the foundations of these Norman pillars were being inspected, in 1843, a rough wooden sort of sea chest was discovered, in which was enclosed a leaden coffin, which on being opened was found to contain the body of a short man, beautifully embalmed, the hair and beard being well preserved, and the face quite distinguishable for a few moments. It was known that King Stephen died abroad, and that his heart was sent to his wife at Faversham, but it was not known where his body was placed after it was landed on these shores. Some authorities from the British Museum came to Dover about this discovery of an embalmed body and decided that it was probably that of King Stephen, the hair and beard being trimmed as in his time and the embalming being that of a Royal personage." ("St Marys Dover" by Miss HORSLEY, pages 12-13)
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
18 September 2010
16:3471465What a great pity the leaden coffin wasn`t discovered in more modern times Kath, and it could all be carbon dated. What became of it afterwards, do you know?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
18 September 2010
21:0171511Established opinion is that King Stephen was buried at St Mary of Charity in Faversham after his initial resting place was destroyed. In St Mary there is a canopy tomb to Stephen.
There is also a rumour that when Faversham Abbey was destroyed by Hal8's boys, Steve's bones were chucked into Faversham Creek.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
18 September 2010
21:4171527In reply to Colin's comment, maybe someone on the St Marys PCC could be asked to look up details of what happened to the lead coffin, if it was re-interred.
In reply to Sid's, oh dear !! But such things did happen more often than you'd think, then and in more recent times ....
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
18 September 2010
21:4871529kath
can you fill me in on king stephen, i never knew we had a monarch of that name.
a bit like pope kevin the first.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
18 September 2010
21:5271531Photo taken from church tower, 1946-7 showing war damage in Stembrook, where car park now is. Bottom corner of photo would appear to show (double) grave of Thomas Pattenden and family, with large tree growing out of it, prior to the tree, his headstones and kerb being removed and not put back. Thomas Pattenden was recently commemorated with the installation of blue plaque on St Marys Centre overlooking churchyard. Maison Dieu Road is pictured at top and Pencester Gardens to left, of photo.
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
30 September 2010
17:4373148Here is an interesting photograph taken from St Mary's Church Tower, showing the first Gas Works in Dover, and lots of other interesting things.
About 1880 :
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
30 September 2010
19:0973171And there is Jenni's shop right in the middle :)
Been nice knowing you :)
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