Thornton Steward Parish »
St. Oswald's Church, Thornton Steward (2)
St. Oswald's Church Thornton Steward has, in its main body more ancient features than any other in Wensleydale. As St. Mary the Virgin at Redmire and St. Andrew's Finghall, it stands apart from the village. There may be varying reasons for this; the most popular being that the original village which may have surrounded the church was wiped out during the plague. Be that as it may, the site of the church is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as TORNETON(E); in 1157 the name became THORNETON, with STEWARD added in 1252. Before the Conquest THORNTON was held by GOSPATRIC and he was succeeded by WYMAR who was "dapifer" or "steward' of the Earls of Richmond.
The foundations are quite likely to be ANGLO SAXON because the narrow shape, without aisles, is typical of the Anglo Saxon church style although there is some debate as to whether the quoins are Anglo Saxon.
The blocked nave windows are most likely to be NORMAN and the South doorway with its incised zig-zag pattern is typical of that period but has been moved to its present position from the now blocked entrance which can be seen inside the church on the South wall.
The crossheads are possibly 9th century and at the latest 10th century and are of great interest. There are also some in the churches at Masham, Finghall, Thornton Watlass and Patrick Brompton.
THE SEPULCHRAL ARCH
Because it is on the North wall in the Sanctuary area it is probably an Easter Sepulchre where the annual liturgical drama was celebrated in Mediaeval times and a vigil was kept from Good Friday until Easter morning. Had it been on the South side it would have been the burial place of someone of note. Patrick Brompton and Kirby Wiske also have a Sepulchral arch.
THE SEDILE
This is contemporary with the other interior stone furnishings and is a stone throne or armchair where the Priest would have sat during the singing of the Kyrie, Credo and Gloria in the Mass.
THE FONT
This is 13th century. It may well have been turned out of the church during Cromwell's time and returned after the Restoration. It stands on eight supports with stiff-leaf capitals - the legs and wooden top are probably Georgian or Victorian.
On the West wall is a LOZENGE - wealthy people had these in their homes to indicate a death in the family. When the member was buried the lozenge was often then hung in the church.
THE BELL COTE
This has two bells; a bell was rung to summon people to worship; for many centuries this was as much as five times a day. It was also used to announce the births, deaths arid marriages of the highest in the land and there was also a belief that ringing these bells during storms and tempests would calm them.