Church Micro 5978...Tankersley Multi-Cache
Church Micro 5978...Tankersley
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache is not at the given co-ordinates, which will take you into the well-kept churchyard.
The Parish Church of St Peter is a Grade II listed building, situated in the ancient Saxon settlement of Tankersley or "Tancresleia" (ie "a meadow or lea belonging to Tanchere"). It is known there has been a church on this site since Anglo Saxon times and it is mentioned in the Doomsday book. This was once one of the richest livings in England, with income from tithes, endowments and mineral royalties.
The oldest part still standing is the 12th century arcade dividing the nave from the north aisle, but Saxon stone has been found built into the outer wall on the south side of the chancel. The chancel was built in the early 13th century. Here you will find the tomb of Thomas Toytill, a priest who died in 1492 and also some cannon balls from the 1643 Civil War Battle of Tankersley Moor.
The medieval octagonal stone font has a modern cover which is a memorial to the dead of the Parish from WWII and the lovely marble Arts & Crafts War Memorial on the north wall lists the fallen of the village and surrounding area from WWI.
The church has several fine stained glass windows, including, in the south aisle, the Ellen Walker memorial window from 1879, which was designed by Edward Byrne Jones and made by William Morris; and in the north aisle there is a window depicting figures from the Old Testament, including Adam, Moses, Daniel, Joseph, Solomon and Job.
There is also a bishop’s chair made from 12th century oak beams brought from St Magnus’ Cathedral in the Orkney Islands. The design is a replica of the chair used by Queen Mary when she married Prince Philip of Spain in 1554.
The porch was rebuilt in 1726 and altered in 1881 and includes fragments of 900 year old coffin lids built into the walls. The iron porch gates were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901.
Crossed keys, the symbol of St Peter to whom the church is dedicated, can be seen on the canopy above the lych gates. The ancient custom of “clipping”** the church is held here on St Peter’s Day (29th June) when the villagers “embrace” the church by holding hands and, facing outwards, make a circle all the way round the church. (visit link)
** from the Anglo-Saxon "clyppan" meaning to embrace or clasp.
THE CACHE - The given co-ordinates will take you into the churchyard to two graves for the Wadsworth family. Look for the information requested below about David Wadsworth and substitute the answers with the appropriate letters to find the cache hidden at N53 29.(B-A)A(E-A) W001 28.E(D-E)(F-D).
AB = The number of years he was a chorister at the church.
CD = His age when he died.
E = Halve his age when he joined the choir (you will have to calculate this).
F = The month he died.
The cache is a small clip-lock box. It is not within the church grounds. Please replace it exactly as found.
Black Lane is a narrow cul-de-sac with three or four houses beyond the church along the unadopted road. Please park considerately, especially on Saturdays when there may be a wedding.
Congratulations to Alex Spodkiewicz and Frazer smyth2003 for joint first to find.
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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 at churchmicro@gmail.com so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list.
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vil'f sbbg jvyy uryc lbh ohg Ubyyl'f nezf znl trg va gur jnl