Deerhurst Saxon church

Summary
One of the most intriguing and architecturally fascinating Saxon churches still in existence. Deerhurst is unique in that the church is almost entirely Saxon, which a paucity of later aditions.

It is rare to see two historic churches so close together; Deerhurst boasts Odda's Chapel (English Heritage) and the delightful Saxon church of St Mary's. The church was founded about the year 800, and later became part of a monastic settlement.

Although the date usually given for the founding of St Mary''s is 800 AD, it is quite likely that the church was begun well before that date, perhaps as early as the late 6th century. Deerhurst seems to have occupied a position of importance in the territory of the Saxon Hwicce, a subkingdom of Mercia, and it is possible that the church here was the most important in the region. In the year 804 Aethelric, son of King Edmund of the Hwicce, granted land at Deerhurst to the priory, and and he and his father were probably buried at Deerhurst. In 1016 Edmund Ironside and Canute chose Deerhurst to sign a treaty dividing England between them. In the 11th century Deerhurst was the home of Earl Odda, one of the most powerful of Edward the Confessor's nobles. Odda was responsible for the chapel which bears his name, which was completed shortly before his death in 1056. After Odda's death the priory lands were given to the monastery of St Denis, in France, and the chapel passed into the hands of Westminster Abbey. The monastery was later the property of Tewkesbury Abbey, but at the Dissolution of the Monasteries the priory was disbanded and the church became the parish church.

St Mary's is visible for some distance over the fields surrounding the village. There is a small layby just outside the church grounds and a carr park outside Odda's Chapel a few hundred yards further on. The church is approached by way of a wide path that runs parallel to the wall separating the churchyard and the nearby farm. The farmhouse was once part of the monastic settlement here. Before entering by way of the west door carry on around the side of the building, down a few steps (which actually take you into the farmyard) and around the back of St Mary's. There, set high into the wall of the church, is the famous 'Angel' of Deerhurst, a 9th century carving in what was originally the apse of the church.

Deerhurst St Mary's entrance

The carving in the interior of St Mary's is superb. To single out a few of the best features is difficult, but the font is certainly one of the finest I have seen from any time period. Step into the nave and look back up at the west wall (see photo below). High on the wall are two pointed windows which show the location of an unusual chapel far above ground level. Sadly the chapel is not open to visitors.

The Cassey brass (c. 1400) set into the floor of the norh aisle is worth a look. The small dog at the feet of Lady Cassey is named in the inscription ('Terri'), the only case in Britain where a family pet has been named on a funerary brass. A painted figure high on the east wall of the nave was recently uncovered; it is thought to be 10th century, which would make it the oldest wall-painting in Britain. All in all, if you enjoy early architecture, it is hard to beat a trip to Deerhurst - highly recommended.

See also
Odda's Chapel >>