St. Saviour, Stydd

[poliphilo]

This tiny church- which sits at the end of a farm track, about a mile from Ribchester- was once the chapel of a hospice run by the Knights Hospitallers. Although owned by the Anglican Church, it contains the graves of several post-Reformation Catholic clergymen- including a Bishop. This may have something to do with the tradition that the Catholic martyr Margaret Clitheroe is buried in the chancel.

Margaret Clitheroe was executed (with inventive cruelty) in York in 1586. According to legend her body was rescued from the dung heap where the executioners had thrown it, transported to a safe house in Lancashire and finally buried at Stydd in the 18th century after the keepers of her secret shrine were dispossessed for supporting Bonnie Prince Charlie. The flagstone over her supposed grave is marked with a deeply (but roughly) incised cross.

St. Saviour, Stydd

Comments

[baritonejeff.livejournal.com]

Such history in such a humble looking structure! I continue to be jealous of all the opportunities you have to explore that history - not just here, but all over your magnificent country. AND...I continue to thoroughly enjoy your posts about such places.

Greetings from one of the more historical sections of the U.S. - where 150 years is considered OLD, and where one must log many, MANY miles between explorations! *THUD!*

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, you guys do value your history. I was always impressed when I was driving about in the States how every small town was littered with plaques and markers explaining what had happened there.

[baritonejeff.livejournal.com]

Interesting point, Tony, because you're right - they're everywhere. BUT - almost nobody seems to care. We are very much a 'fast-food' culture, and doting on historic points is *not* one of our strong suits. I think it was different in previous generations, when parriotism actually had meaning - and value. We have changed very much as a nation, which is both a positive and a negative thing.