Church of SS Peter and Paul, Olney, Bucks, UK
Worcester Family Dictionary #1
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The Church of England is the established church in England. It is divided into two provinces, York and Canterbury, with 43 dioceses and approximately 27 million members. The monarch is technically at the head of the ecclesiastical structure, and the archbishops of Canterbury and York are next in line.
The beginnings of the Church of England date at least to the 2d century, when merchants and other travelers first brought Christianity to Britain. It is customary to regard St. Augustine of Canteebury's mission in 597 as marking the formal beginning of the church under papal authority, as it was to be throughout the Middle Ages. In its modern form, the church dates from the English Reformation of the 16th century, when royal supremacy was established and the authority of the papacy repudiated. With the advent of British colonization, the Church of England established churches on every continent and achieved international importance. In time, these churches gained independence, but retained connections with the mother church in the Anglican Communion.
The Church of England is identified by adherence to the threefold ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons and by a common order of worship found in the Book of Common Prayer. The church is also characterized by a common attitude of loyalty to Christian tradition, while seeking to accommodate a wide range of people and views. It holds in tension the authorities of tradition, reason, and the Bible, but asserts the primacy of the Bible. It thus seeks to comprehend Catholic, humanist, and reformed elements, historically represented by Anglo-Catholics (high church), Liberals (broad church), and Evangelicals (low church).
Mather, Richard, 1596-1669, English Puritan clergyman. He fled (1635) to Massachusetts because of his Puritan beliefs and was pastor of Dorchester until his death. His son, Increase Mather, 1639-1723, b. Dorchester, Mass., became (1664) pastor of North Church, Boston, where he was an outstanding upholder of the old Puritan theocracy. During the Restoration period he was a bitter opponent of Edward Randolph and Sir Edmund Andros over the withdrawal of the Massachusetts charter. He was president of Harvard College (1685-1701). His son, Cotton Mather, 1663-1728, b. Boston, assisted his father and succeeded him as pastor of North Church, Boston. By his writings he became one of the most celebrated New England Puritan ministers. Although his works helped stir up hysteria during the Salem witch trials of 1692, he was also a promoter of learning and a power in the state.
The Pilgrims were English Separatists who founded (1620) Plymouth Colony in New England. In the first years of the 17th century, small numbers of English Puritans broke away from the Church of England because they felt that it had not completed the work of the Reformation. They committed themselves to a life based on the Bible. Most of these Separatists were farmers, poorly educated and without social or political standing. One of the Separatist congregations was led by William Brewster and the Rev. Richard Clifton in the village of Scrooby in Nottinghamshire. The Scrooby group emigrated to Amsterdam in 1608 to escape harassment and religious persecution. The next year they moved to Leiden, where, enjoying full religious freedom, they remained for almost 12 years.
In 1617, discouraged by economic difficulties, the pervasive Dutch influence on their children, and their inability to secure civil autonomy, the congregation voted to emigrate to America. Through the Brewster family's friendship with Sir Edwin Sandys, treasurer of the London Company, the congregation secured two patents authorizing them to settle in the northern part of the company's jurisdiction. Unable to finance the costs of the emigration with their own meager resources, they negotiated a financial agreement with Thomas Weston, a prominent London iron merchant. Fewer than half of the group's members elected to leave Leiden. A small ship, the Speedwell, carried them to Southampton, England, where they were to join another group of Separatists and pick up a second ship. After some delays and disputes, the voyagers regrouped at Plymouth aboard the 180-ton Mayflower. It began its historic voyage on Sept. 16, 1620, with about 102 passengers--fewer than half of them from Leiden.
After a 65-day journey, the Pilgrims sighted Cape Cod on November 19. Unable to reach the land they had contracted for, they anchored (November 21) at the site of Provincetown. Because they had no legal right to settle in the region, they drew up the Mayflower Compact, creating their own government. The settlers soon discovered Plymouth Harbor, on the western side of Cape Cod Bay and made their historic landing on December 21; the main body of settlers followed on December 26.
The term Pilgrim was first used by William Bradford to describe the Leiden Separatists who were leaving Holland. The Mayflower's passengers were first described as the Pilgrim Fathers in 1799.
Early in the 17th century some Puritan groups separated from the Church of England. Among these were the pilgrims, who in 1620 founded Plymouth Colony. Ten years later, under the auspices of the Massachusetts Bay Company, the first major Puritan migration to New England took place. The Puritans brought strong religious impulses to bear in all colonies north of Virginia, but New England was their stronghold, and the Congregationalist churches established there were able to perpetuate their viewpoint about a Christian society for more than 200 years.
Richard Mather and John Cotton provided clerical leadership in the dominant Puritan colony planted on Massachusetts Bay. Thomas HOOKER was an example of those who settled new areas farther west according to traditional Puritan standards. Even though he broke with the authorities of the Massachusetts colony over questions of religious freedom, Roger Williams was also a true Puritan in his zeal for personal godliness and doctrinal correctness. Most of these men held ideas in the mainstream of Calvinistic thought. In addition to believing in the absolute sovereignty of God, the total depravity of man, and the complete dependence of human beings on divine grace for salvation, they stressed the importance of personal religious experience. These Puritans insisted that they, as God's elect, had the duty to direct national affairs according to God's will as revealed in the Bible. This union of church and state to form a holy commonwealth gave Puritanism direct and exclusive control over most colonial activity until commercial and political changes forced them to relinquish it at the end of the 17th century.
Because of its diffuse nature, when Puritanism began to decline in America is difficult to say. Some would hold that it lost its influence in New England by the early 18th century, but Jonathan Edwards and his able disciple Samuel Hopkins revived Puritan thought and kept it alive until 1800. Others would point to the gradual decline in power of Congregationalism, but Presbyterians under the leadership of Jonathan Dickinson and Baptists led by the example of Isaac Backus (1724-1806) revitalized Puritan ideals in several denominational forms through the 18th century.
During the whole colonial period Puritanism had direct impact on both religious thought and cultural patterns in America. In the 19th century its influence was indirect, but it can still be seen at work stressing the importance of education in religious leadership and demanding that religious motivations be tested by applying them to practical situations.
1. A type of church government in which each local congregation is self-governing.
2. Congregationalism. The system of government and religious beliefs of a Protestant denomination in which each member church is self-governing.
In the Anglican Church, the priest of a parish who is not a rector; priest of a parish in which the tithes go to a layman or a religious corporation, the priest himself receiving only a salary.
A clergyman ranking just below the priest in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.
The first new year's profit or income, fromerly paid by each new holder at a benefice or office to some superior. In this case, the taxes that had to be paid upon becoming a vicar.
Refers to the Gregorian Calendar which was adopted in England in 1752. Before its adoption in Engalnd, the new year began on March 25. Thus, for example, the difference between March 24, 1641 to March 26, 1642 is 2 days. Records which predate 1752 will often include the old and new years (Mar. 2, 1641/42 would mean 1642 in the modern or new calendar system).
The Abbey was founded in 655 by the Mercian nobleman, Peada, it was
destroyed by the Danes in 870. Reconstructed in 972 and then burnt down by mistake in
1116. The present cathedral, started in 1118 took more than 120 years to build and was
consecrated in 1238 by Bishop Robert Grosseteste of Lincoln. It is a superb example of
Romanesque architecture. The Cathedral suffered badly at the hands of Cromwells soldiers,
who in 1643 destroyed the majority of the stained glass and statuary, the choir stalls and
the High Altar. The Apse ceiling was broken up with musket fire. As a result the interior
of the Cathedral is uncluttered with monuments and light streams in through clear glass,
creating an air of space and purity. Much work has been undertaken in recent years and
more is now needed.
The Tomb of Katherine of Aragon After he divorced her, Henry VIII's first queen was
sent to Kimbolton Castle, where she died in 1536. King Henry wishing to avoid the expense
of a funeral in St Paul's, ordered that she was to be buried at the Abbey in Peterborough.
It is unlikely that Henry's sentiment for his first wife influenced his decision to bestow
Cathedral status on Peterborough Abbey, but Katherine is still greatly honoured here. The
standard of Henry VIII over her tomb was given by the present Queen, Elizabeth II.
The Cathedral is still the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, as it has been since the
Diocese was created in 1541. Worship, enhanced and supported by a long choral tradition,
still takes place every day; keeping alive all that is best in our Church Services, but
adapting them to a modern day circumstances.
Visit Peterborough Cathedral at: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/cathedra
Visit the City of Peterborough at: www.city.peterborough.on.ca
Olney is located roughly half-way between London and Birmingham. It is a thriving and bustling Market Town on the A509 from Milton Keynes to Wellingborough. The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul replaced a Saxon Church which stood at the North end of the town near where the Castle Inn now stands. This Grade 1 listed building is reputed to have been built between 1325 to 1350 and, despite considerable restoration in 1807, remains a very good example of what is known as the Decorated style. The magnificent broach spire, which dominates the surrounding meadows, is 185 feet high and carries a peal of eight bells, the oldest of which is dated 1532 and is inscribed "God save the Queen".
Church of SS Peter and Paul, Olney, Bucks, UK
Vist Olnet at: http://www.olney.co.uk/index.htm
More Pictures
To view dozens of different photos of Olney, visit: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/leisure/photodb/index.htm
See Map of Buckinghamshire.
WATFORD PARISH is bounded by Long Buckby on the east, on the north by Winwick,
by Ashby-Legers on the west, and on the south by Welton. It is also bounded on the west by
the ancient Roman road Watling Street, and is in the line of the London and North Western
Railway, the Crick Station of which is situate in this parish.
Manor - Gilbert the Cook held 2 hides of land of the crown in Watford, at the time of the
Conqueror's survey (1086), previous to which it was the freehold of Thor, and rated at
10s., but now advanced to 40s. Baldwin, the son and suc essor of Gilbert, was possessed of
4 hides here in the reign of Henry II, and dying without issue, his lands on his decease
were escheated to the crown. The manor was at this time in the hands of Eustachius de
Arden, or de Watford, with whose descendants it continued till the 4th of Edward I.
(1276), when Eustachius de Watford, the fourth possessor of that name, died seized of it;
and partition was made of it between his four daughters, Atheline, wife of William Bray,
of Brune, Sarah, of John de Burnaby, Joan, of William Parles, and Elena, unmarried. The
part allotted to Atheline Bray was by her conveyed to Henry de Bray, from whom it passed
some years afterwards to the crown, and was granted, in the 31st of Edward I. (1303), to
Eustace de Burnaby and Maud his wife. In the 24th of this reign (1296), Henry de Bray was
certified to hold a fourth part of the township of Watford of Athelina de Brun but of whom
or by what service is not known, and three of the daughters of Eustachius de Burnaby and
John Parles were lords of Watford. In the 20th of Edward III. (1347), Nicholas de Burneby
and Walter Parles accounted for three parts of one knight's fee in Watford, Syvesworth,
and Murcote, which they held of the king in capite. The estate in the possession of
Nicholas de Burnaby continued with that family for several generations. The fourth part of
the manor possessed by the family of Parles, was carried in marriage to the Cumberford
family about the year 1590, and was called herewith the Cumberford manor. In the 24th of
Elizabeth (1582), Christopher Lewys, Gent., died seized of a manor here supposed to be the
same which belonged to the family of Cumberford, and was succeeded by his son Clement. It
was afterwards purchased by Robert Lord Spencer, who left it at his death, in the 4th of
Charles I. (1629), with certain lands and tenements in Watford and Silsworth, formerly
purchased of Thomas Cumberford, to William Lord Spencer, his son and successor. Sir George
Clarke afterwards received it in discharge for an estate at Bodington, and it passed to
his descendants.
Besides the above manors, there was an estate here in the possession of the family of De
Watford, from which it was carried in marriage to Robert de Cranford. This Robert left
issue Emma, who marrying John de Catesby of Lodbroke, in Warwickshire, transferred this
estate into that family, and hence it was called the Catesby Manor. From John de Catesby
it came, in course of-descent, to his great grandson, William Catesby, Esq., one of the
chief instru-ments employed by Richard III., and attainted of high treason in the first
Parliament under Henry VII. This manor passed from the family of Catesby to that of
Watkins, with whom it continued for several generations. It and the other three manors
afterwards fell into the hands of Sir George Clarke by pur-chase, and passed from him, in
1689, to Sir Robert Clarke, son to his younger brother, Robert Clarke, Esq. of Long
Buckby. St James' Monastery, near Northampton, the Abbey of Sulby, and the Priory of
Daventry had possessions in this parish. The present lord of these manors is Lord Henley.
Anthony Henley Henley is son of the second Baron Henley by the daughter of Sir Robert Peel
(first bart.); he was born in 1825, and married, in 1846, the only daughter of the Very
Rev. John Peel, Dean of Worcester. She died Feb. 15, 1862, and Lord Henley married
secondly (June 30, 1870) Clara Campbell Lucy, daughter of H. S. Tekyll, Esq. He succeeded
his father in 1841, and was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Northamptonshire in 1846. The
first peer was brother to the first Lord Auckland, and filled the highest diplomatic
situa-tions at different courts from 1776 to 1790. The second peer was many years a
Master in Chancery, and assumed his maternal name of Henley in lieu of his patronymic
Eden. His lordship's heir is his son Frederick, who was born on the 17th April 1849. The
family seat is Watford Court, Northamptonshire.
The Church, dedicated to Sts Peter and Paul, stands in a very pleasant situation, and
consists of a nave, north and south aisles, and porches, north chantry chapel, chance],
and embattled tower, containing six bells. There are three sediliae and a piscina in the
chancel, and a piscina in the south aisle. In the north wall of the north aisle are three
sepulchral arches, and in the south wall of the same aisle is another with very rich
mouldings. The living is a vicarage in the deanery of Haddon, rated in the king's books at
£11, 7s. 8d., and now worth about £270 a year. The patronage is in the crown, and the
Rev. William Seymour, D.C.L., is the vicar. The church contains several monuments of the
Clarke family. Land was allotted in lieu of tithes at the enclosure of the common in 1771.
Lord Henley is the lay rector. The Vicarage House is a substantial building.
Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Watford, England
Visit Watford at http://www.pbdy.com/watfordvillage.html
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The parish church of St.Andrew is probably
the third church to be built on this site. Of the
first, built around 1140, no trace remains, but
the tower to the second church, built by
Henry de Rokeby in the 13th century still
stands and was incorporated into the present
building which was completed in 1895. The
inclusion of this ancient tower, the oldest
structure in Rugby, gives the church a double
distinction since it boasts two peals of bells.
Visit Rugby, Warwickshire at: http://www.rugbytown.co.uk/
The English ship the Mayflower carried the Separatist Puritans, later known as Pilgrims, to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. The 180-ton vessel was about 12 years old and had been in the wine trade. It was chartered by John Carver, a leader of the Separatist congregation at Leiden, Holland, who had gone to London to make arrangements for the voyage to America. The ship was made ready at Southampton with a passenger list that included English Separatists, hired help, and other colonists who were to be taken along at the insistence of the London businessmen who were helping to finance the expedition.
In the meantime the Leiden Separatists, who had initiated the venture, sailed for Southampton on July 22, 1620, with 35 members of the congregation and their leaders William Bradford and William Brewster aboard the 60-ton Speedwell. Both the Speedwell and the Mayflower, carrying a total of about 120 passengers, sailed from Southampton on August 15, but they were twice forced back by dangerous leaks on the Speedwell. At the English port of Plymouth some of the Speedwell's passengers were regrouped on the Mayflower, and on September 16, the historic voyage began.
This time the Mayflower carried 102 passengers, only 37 of whom were from the Leiden congregation, in addition to the crew. The voyage took 65 days, during which two persons died. A boy, Oceanus Hopkins, was born at sea, and another, Peregrine WHITE, was born as the ship lay at anchor off Cape Cod. The ship came in sight of Cape Cod on November 19 and sailed south. The colonists had been granted territory in Virginia but probably headed for a planned destination near the mouth of the Hudson River. The Mayflower turned back, however, and dropped anchor at Provincetown on November 21. That day 41 men signed the so-called Mayflower Compact, a "plantation covenant" modeled after a Separatist church covenant, by which they agreed to establish a "Civil Body Politic" (a temporary government) and to be bound by its laws. This agreement was thought necessary because there were rumors that some of the non-Separatists, called "Strangers," among the passengers would defy the Pilgrims if they landed in a place other than that specified in the land grant they had received from the London Company. The compact became the basis of government in the Plymouth Colony. After it was signed, the Pilgrims elected John Carver their first governor.
After weeks of scouting for a suitable settlement area, the Mayflower's passengers finally landed at Plymouth on Dec. 26, 1620. Although the Mayflower's captain and part-owner, Christopher Jones, had threatened to leave the Pilgrims unless they quickly found a place to land, the ship remained at Plymouth during the first terrible winter of 1620-21, when half of the colonists died. The Mayflower left Plymouth on Apr. 15, 1621, and arrived back in England on May 16.
St. John's College (Cambridge
University):
The University of Cambridge has been in existence since the early
thirteenth century when scholars moving from Oxford and
from Paris formed a school here. The early students lived in private houses: not until
later were they provided with communal
hostels.
There were a number of monastic houses in Cambridge at that time, including a Hospital of
St John which was in existence by
the early thirteenth century on the site of what later became St John's College. In 1280,
Hugh de Balsham, Bishop of Ely,
tried to introduce scholars into this foundation, but the monks and the academics did not
get on together so the latter moved
down the road to found Cambridge's first true college, Peterhouse.
The hospital survived until the sixteenth century in a much dilapidated state: it the came
to the attention of John Fisher, Bishop
of Rochester and a leading figure in the University. Fisher was a friend of and confessor
to Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother
of King Henry VII, who had already refounded God's House as Christ's College, and he
persuaded her to refound the
Hospital as a College. Unfortunately she died in 1509 before any progress had been made on
this new plan: it took Fisher the
next two years to obtain the necessary approval from the King, the Pope and the Bishop of
Ely. The Charter of the College of
St John the Evangelist was finally granted on 9th April 1511.
Vist St. John's College at: http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/
Sizar. A student receiving a scholarship allowance at Cambridge University. (A relatively impoverished student who was required to work his way through college doing a variety of of more or less menial tasks - waiting on tables, etc.)
Literate. Competent in Latin.
Buckinghamshire - Warwickshire and Northamptonshire
