August 22nd saw us girding our loins and voyaging to distant Deddington - I think everyone drove, or shared lifts, and there were about 20 of us in total.
Deddington, historically, has been a significant place - Bishop Odo, William the Conquerors step brother, was awarded the land around after the Conquest, and built a Bailey Fort which would have helped the Normans dominate - oppress - the area. Of course two major roads still pass through it - Oxford to Coventry, north south, and east west through Aynho. These are ancient Turnpike (Toll) Roads.
The Church has a Tower, and in earlier times it had a steeple, that collapsed in 1634 causing massive damage. Charles I ordered the Diocese to repair the Church after it had lain damaged for some years. Interesting that he also requisitioned the bells, its thought to melt them down for Cannon in the Civil War.
There are many riches dotted around the church; ancient Bosses that support roof timbers carved into Grotesques; the "Saucer" ceiling Vault in the North Porch (so easy to miss). Beautifully carved chairs,, ancient, and modern, stained glass windows, modern altar frontals. I ve captured a few in the gallery below.
There's much online about the history of the area and the Church - local "Trusts" managed different sections of the turnpikes, and that there were charities for the poor set up as early as 1611; a school in 1814, the alms houses in 1818; and a "National School" in 1854; a workhouse in the 1730's and the financial plight of the area at the times of the Napoleonic War and the American Revolution, due to the costs of the respective wars. At one point tax was at 10/- in the £, a rate of 50%, and in 1828 the Civic authorities were subsiding farmers to employ labour, and so create jobs and wealth!
The Church itself dates back to the C13, and has been much changed over the years - as mentioned the Spire fell and caused massive damage; the Tower was rebuilt and new bell installed; a new (1664) Font; and in 1858 it was restored in the Gothic Revival Style by GE Street. A gallery was put in and removed again. More recently it has been reordered and is now a beautiful open space, with moveable chairs and many uses - we had trouble booking a visit as Thursday a Mother and Toddler Group meets (but not in August), it is in the centre of Deddington, and a centre for Deddington.
We finished with Coffee in the Deddington Arms nearby.
