The history of St Margaret's Church Bygrave

The nave

The nave is the earliest part of the church having been built in the 12th century although earlier floor levels date from the 8th or 9th centuries. The walls cut through two earlier floor levels the later of which has produced late Saxon pottery. A sequence of at least four floor levels have been identified. From the top, these included a mid 19th centuryfloor consisting of flagstones at the west end and along the central nave aisle, with wooden floor supporting the pews either side of the aisle; this was preceded by a thick tamped chalk floor, apparently very long used. In turn, this overlays the Late Saxon floor which produced postherds of the 10th/11th centuries. The latter surface was laid over another earthen floor deposit, the earliest reached in the sequence, which revealed no dating evidence unfortunately. It could date from the 8th or 9th centuries, as residual postherds of that date were found in later deposits, both inside and outside in the graveyard. Against the north nave wall some Romano-British pottery was unearthed, suggestinmg that the church may overlie, or be near, a site of that period (possibly linked to the settlement near Park Wood of around 100 to 200 AD). The original windows on the north and south sides were blocked up in the 15th century, but outlines can still be clearly seen. Although they appear much bigger than their replacements, they would have housed small windows similar in size to a single light of the windows that we now see.

St Margaret's Church Bygrave

The Rood Loft and Screen

To the left of the organ is a door with steps leading up to where there was a Rood Loft. From the 14th century until the mid 16th century rood screens and lofts werea rpominent feature of churches in England and Europe. The screen separated the choir, or chancel from the nave. It was erected in association with the rood, which in old English means “cross” or “crucifix”. At firstthe great rood of a medieval church was supported by a a single beam spanning the nave at the entrance to the chancel and known as the rood beam. Later, a rood screen was added, rising from the floor to this beam, the rood loft above the screen was also added. Upon this loft, or gallery, were displayed the rood and the two statues of the Virgin Mary and St John.
In the 16th century with Henry V111’s establishment of the Anglican Church, it was decreed that the rood and everything above the rood beam must be removed, rood screens were allowed to remain, but thereafter were often referred to as Chancel Screens 

The Bell Tower

There is a small octagonal turret on the west wall giving access to the bell which is marked "Henry Sell 1715" and was and was probably cast in the floor of the nave. The bell mechanism was completley rebuilt in 1990 with stainless steel bearings made to last at least 250 years by volunteer apprentices from Sizewell who were building a Nuclear Power Station at that time.

The Pulpit

The pulpit is 17th century although it contains some pieces of 15th century panelling – recycling is not a new idea! The wrought iron stand for the hourglass is reputed to be 17th century and was apparently found on the staircase leading to the rood loft in the 1900’s. The name “hourglass” id misleading as its purpose was to time the sermonand this particular glass allows 22 minutes. It is likely that it would have been turned at least three times during a single sermon

The Font

The 15th century font is regarded as particularly notable. The basin is octagonal, standing on a square base. The wooden cover is pseudo Gothic perhaps from the 18th century. The sides of the basin have rectangular sunken panels carved with the instruments of the Passion, Judas’s bag of silver, the Cock that Crowed, the Vestment of a seam, the cresset (oil lamp) and sword, three scourges, a spear and hammer, a hammer and nails, a Tau cross (T shaped) crowned with a wreath.

Wall paintings

There appear to be three main wall painting themes that recur throughout the building. The earliest probably dates from the mid fifteenth century and is best represented by the fleur de lys pattern on the chancel east wall. Following this in chronological terms, are two schemes of post-reformation framed text, both dating from the 17th century.The earliest of these is the more obvious red and yellow scrolled frame that occurs on the north wall of the nave and the east wall of the chancel. The later scheme consistis of a linear black frame and black text.
The extensive remains of wall paintings found on the east wall of the chancel include fragments from each of the three main schemes. To the right hand side of the window there are two areas both of which are part of the same fleur de lys decoration on a red background. It appears that the red ground was applied to the whole area and the design of the fleur de lys applied with a sharp point. The design was scraped in a crude form of the scrafitto technique. Below the window on the left there are extensive remains of decorative red and yellow frame, apparently part of the earlier 17th century scheme.

The stained glass window

The stained glass window was installed in 2000. It displays the fine craftsmanship of Michael Lassen who designed, fashioned and installed this wonderful work of art. The window depicts St Margaret whose dress features snow drops which grow in abundance in the wood next to the church. In the centre is the figure of the risen Christ surrounded by concentric rings of colour which represent the spreading of the love of God. To the lower left of the window is the dragon blowing dying flames from his nostrils. The window encapsulates the fantastic story of the power of good over evil. The power of St Margaret’s crucifix is seen depicted by rays that are zapping the dragon. As it dies, it becomes part of the rocks that surround it. In its dying breaths it has taken a swipe at St Margaret, tearing one of the snowdrops from her dress. The bullrushes near St Margaret represent the peace that results from good prevailing. This story is as important in today’s troubled world as it was in St Margaret’s lifetime.