|
|
St. Margaret's Church
History
The church is dedicated to St. Margaret of Antioch,
virgin and martyr, who was
honoured in the Eastern church from an early date, and from the 7th
century in the West. She is believed to have been martyred during the persecutions
of the 4th century but nothing is known for certain about her life. Many legends describe her perseverance and suffering in the cause of the
Christian faith, which in some respects illustrate a role for women in
withstanding injustice. The
ordeals she suffered are of the most fabulous description, including
being swallowed by Satan in the form of a dragon. Through her prayers
she was released only later to be beheaded. This is why her emblem
is traditionally in the form of a cross piercing the mouth of a dragon
or beast. Her feast day is 17th July.
 |
The
Dedication of St. Margaret
The original dedication of our Parish Church was lost sight of for many years but was
rediscovered in 1927 when a 13th century document came to
light. The deed granted land to Sir Amfrey, Rector of the "Church
of St. Margaret of Hotleghe." |
The foundations of this
church were laid over 900 years ago, when a Norman baron ordered it to
be built here in 1090, a few years after the Doomsday Book was compiled.
He gave the church to Lewes Priory, which was in charge of both church
and people living here for over 400 years.
The first building was a small rectangular one, perhaps with an apse.
Directly opposite the entrance is the North Wall, which is part of the
Norman Church. The sturdy round pillars were made when the building was
enlarged a hundred years later.
Nearly 200 years later the chancel was extended. Then the chapel was
built on the south side, and made into a full aisle at the end of the 14th
century. The tower appeared in the 15th century. Extensive
restoration work took place in about 1870.
| St. Margaret’s church is rich in historic
features, amongst which is the Font. It stands near the
entrance, symbolising the admission of the newly baptised Christian to
the congregation. Believed to be made in 1180, unusually enough, of
paludina limestone, sometimes called Sussex marble or winklestone. The
consolidated snail shells, which are visible, became petrified when the
Weald was under marsh and water. When polished the stone is decorative:
the memorial in the chancel is a good example. The columns supporting
the font were restored using Purbeck marble. |
|
| The Old Wooden Chest.
For many years this was the parish chest. It is an early form,
hollowed out from an oak log, and could date from the reign of Henry II
in the 12th century, or from King John in the 13th
century. In 1287 the Synod of Exeter ordered each church to have a chest
for books and vestments, "cistam ad libros et vestimenta."
The chest also held alms for the poor and for the Crusades. Three
locks became obligatory in the 16th century, separate keys
being held by the vicar and two churchwardens, so the chest could only
be opened when all three were present. This one has lost its lid but the
keyholes are still there. The usual place for the chest was against the
North wall of the sanctuary, where it might be used as a seat for the
acolytes. Today, disguised, it serves as a table for refreshments. |
|
|
|
The Clockworks
 |
These have been mounted in the North East corner, but were
previously in the tower. Although some early clocks were installed in
cathedrals in medieval times, it seems likely that it was local
well-to-do families making money from the iron industry who provided
this clock in the 17th century. It has a pendulum, a part
developed only in 1657. It also has square decorative finials
which are a feature after 1600, so perhaps a date following the
restoration of Charles II in 1660 would be appropriate. Before
this period, the time was reckoned by Mass Dials, which are inscribed on
the wall by the window close to the door. |
Top of page
|
|
