The Medieval Combat Society |
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Location: Dorchester, Oxfordshire
Website: http://www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk/
Opening Information: Daily
History:
Birinus was buried in Dorchester in 650 the See was moved in 660 to Winchester and his relics moved later. In 869 when the bishoprics of Leicester and Lindsey were removed by the Danish invasions Dorchester became the seat of a see strethching from the Thames to the Humber. In 1067 Wulfwig the last Saxon bishop of Dorchester died and Remigius the only Norman Bishop of Dorchester moved the seat to Lincoln during the 1070's. In 1140 Alexander of Lincoln refounded the church as an abbey of Augustian canons. The church has Saxon foundations in the North wall In 1225 the tomb of St Brinius was opened and the church became a popular pilgrimage which led to a large rebuilding in 1293 with the enlargement of the north choir aisle. A marble shrine in a new south aisle was added in 1320 and a little later extended to a south aisle nave in 1340. In 1536 the shrine was destroyed during the reformation and the church bought by Richard Beauforest for use by the people of the parish.
Rectors:
Effigies:
William de Valence the younger (d 16 June 1282 Llandeilo, Camarthen) son of William de Valence 1st earl of Pembroke (b 1225 Abbey of Valence, Lusignan, d 17 May 1296, buried Westminster Abbey, London) married (13 Aug 1247) Joan de Munchensy (d 1307). The effigy was originally thought to be Sir John de Holcombe (d 1270). The effigy is unusal as it is in the animated pose of drawing a sword. Original traces of paintwork can be seen in the folds of the cloak.
Early 14th Century effigy of a Saxon bishop
John de Stonor (b 1285, d 1354) married Matilda/Maud de Lisle. In October 1326 John became keeper of Wallingford. In 1329-1331 and 1335-1341 and again 1342-1354 John was the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. The arms are Azure, two bars dancetty or, a chief argent.
Knight 1400, probably a member of the Seagrave family, possibly Hugh Segrave, died 1387
Brasses:
Matrix for a lost brass
Matrix for a lost brass
Heraldry still remaining
Richard Beauforest
Norman Lead font from 1170 depicting the 11 apostles
Stained Glass Window of The Tree of Jesse, 14th Century Window with fragments of original glass
Stained Glass Great East Window
Heraldic Window depicting the arms of Knights of Edward I after the siege of Caverlock
Coats of Arms in the window
Edmund Earl of Cornwall | ![]() |
Edward I Edward Longshanks | ![]() |
Edward Plantegenet of caenarvon later Edward II | ![]() |
Eleanor of Castille Queen of Edward I | ![]() |
Geoffrey Lord Geneville Earl of Ulster | ![]() |
Henry Lord de Tyes | ![]() |
Hugh Ferrers | ![]() |
Hugh Lord de Vere Lord of Swainschamp | ![]() |
John Lord Hastings of Bergavenny | ![]() |
John Lord Wake of Liddel | ![]() |
John St John Lord of St John of Basing | ![]() |
Lord William le Latimer | ![]() |
Richard Fitzalan Earl of Arundel | ![]() |
Robert Foliot Lord of Wroxton | ![]() |
Robert Lord Fitzwalter | ![]() |
Robert Lord Tony | ![]() |
Roger Bigod 5th Earl of Norfolk | ![]() |
Sir Henry Seagrave | ![]() |
Sir John Ferrers of Chartley | ![]() |
Sir John le Bigod | ![]() |
Sir John Lord Grey of Rotherfield Greys | ![]() |
Thomas Plantagenet Earl of Lancaster | ![]() |
Modern Shrine of St Birinus