Church Micro 2850…Little Dunmow Traditional Cache
Hidden : 7/8/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:



Church Micro 2850... Priory Church of St Mary the Virgin Little Dunmow


The cache is a nano. Please replace as found.

History



Feudal Barony


Arms adopted by Robert FitzWalter c.1200 at the start of the age of heraldry: Or, a fess gules between two chevrons of the last. This is a heraldic difference of the arms of de Clare, his cousins Little Dunmow formed the caput of a feudal barony the first holder of which was Ralph Baynard, as recorded by Domesday Book(1087). He was the builder of Baynard's Castle in the City of London and was followed by his son Geoffrey, whose son William rebelled against King Henry I(1100–1135) and thereby forfeited his lands. The barony was re-granted by the king to Robert FitzRichard(d.1134/6), younger son of Richard FitzGilbert de Clare(d.1091), feudal baron of Clare, Suffolk. He was succeeded by his son Walter I(d.1198) who was succeeded by his son Robert FitzWalter I(d.1235), founder of the family of FitzWalter, who left as heir a minor, his son Walter FitzWalter(1219–1258). Walter's son was Robert FitzWalter II(1247–1326). His son was Robert FitzWalter III(d.1328) who was succeeded by his son John FitzWalter(1315–1361).

Foundation of Priory


The Parish Church was founded in 1104 by Lady Juga Baynard, wife of Ralph Baynard. After her death her son Geoffrey Baynard founded in 1106 an Augustinian priory dedicated to St Mary. One of its canons served as curate to the parish. The majority of the original structure has been lost but the Lady chapel survives and became the east end of the choir of the large and stately Little Dunmow Priory church, now the Parish Church. It retains the magnificent columns and beautiful Gothic windows as evidence of its former grandeur. The monastic buildings stood to the southwest of the church but, along with much of the Priory, were razed to the ground after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when the priory site, with the manors of Little Dunmow and Clopton Hall, were granted to the patron of the priory, Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex.

The Flitch Trials


Little Dunmow was the original home of the Flitch Trials which now take place in Great Dunmow every four years. The ancient Flitch of bacon custom rewarded a couple who had been married in church and remained 'unregreted' for a year and a day, with a flitch of bacon. The claimants had to swear an oath kneeling on two sharp pointed stones in the churchyard. They were then carried through the village to be acclaimed. In later years they were carried in the Flitch Chair, thought to be made from pew ends from the Priory Church. The original kneeling stones and 15C Flitch chair can still be seen within the church.


The last recorded Priory trial was held in 1751 but the custom was revived in Victorian times following the 1854 publication of the novel "The flitch of bacon" by William Harrison Ainsworth.


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If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.

To view the church micro stats & information page, please click here

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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

6sg hc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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