St. Mary's Church, Nottingham
Across the street from the National Justice Museum is the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, aka Saint Mary's in the Lace Market. Most of the buildings on High Pavement, one of the oldest streets in Nottingham, are listed for their outstanding architectural or historic value; this church is one of them.
It was first mentioned in William the Conqueror's Domesday Book, but is thought to date back to Saxon times. The present building is the third at this location. It was constructed from 1377 to 1509. The nave was finished by 1475 in the perpendicular Gothic style; the tower was built during the reign of Henry VIII.
The ballad of Robin Hood and the Monk, written in a manuscript dating from about 1450, tells of Robin attending a mass at Saint Mary's. Betrayed by a dishonest monk he was attacked by the Sheriff whilst praying in front of the rood screen (separating the altar and congregation). Robin fought with the Sheriff and his men, killing or wounding several of them by the altar prior to being captured and imprisoned. In the tale, with the help of Little John, Robin Hood later escaped from prison by scaling the city wall and disappearing into the forest.
Today the rood screen is gone, but the altar and other points of interest from the church鈥檚 thousand-year history are still extant, such as the wooden Chantry door from the 1370s (one of the oldest surviving medieval doors), notable burials, and a collection of Victorian stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe. The unique bronze doors, made in 1904 by Henry Wilson, are holding up as well.
The church carries an octagonal medieval font with a palindromic Greek expression: "Wash my transgressions, not only my face." There is an alabaster panel of Saint Thomas Becket. The present tower clock, rising 126 feet above street level, and fitted with an electric auto-wind, is by George & Francis Cope.
It was first mentioned in William the Conqueror's Domesday Book, but is thought to date back to Saxon times. The present building is the third at this location. It was constructed from 1377 to 1509. The nave was finished by 1475 in the perpendicular Gothic style; the tower was built during the reign of Henry VIII.
The ballad of Robin Hood and the Monk, written in a manuscript dating from about 1450, tells of Robin attending a mass at Saint Mary's. Betrayed by a dishonest monk he was attacked by the Sheriff whilst praying in front of the rood screen (separating the altar and congregation). Robin fought with the Sheriff and his men, killing or wounding several of them by the altar prior to being captured and imprisoned. In the tale, with the help of Little John, Robin Hood later escaped from prison by scaling the city wall and disappearing into the forest.
Today the rood screen is gone, but the altar and other points of interest from the church鈥檚 thousand-year history are still extant, such as the wooden Chantry door from the 1370s (one of the oldest surviving medieval doors), notable burials, and a collection of Victorian stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe. The unique bronze doors, made in 1904 by Henry Wilson, are holding up as well.
The church carries an octagonal medieval font with a palindromic Greek expression: "Wash my transgressions, not only my face." There is an alabaster panel of Saint Thomas Becket. The present tower clock, rising 126 feet above street level, and fitted with an electric auto-wind, is by George & Francis Cope.
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St. Mary's Church on Map
Sight Name: St. Mary's Church
Sight Location: Nottingham, England (See walking tours in Nottingham)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nottingham, England (See walking tours in Nottingham)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nottingham, England
Create Your Own Walk in Nottingham
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nottingham is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nottingham Introduction Walking Tour
Nottingham was known only as "The Place of Caves" in 600 AD. A Saxon chief named Snot ruled "Snotingaham", or, "the home of Snot's people." It was part of Danelaw in the 7th century, administered from a stone Hall on High Pavement, the first street of Nottingham.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Robin Hood Trail
There's hardly anyone on this planet who hasn't heard of Robin Hood. Apparently, a Saxon nobleman born in 1160 in Loxley, this hero of numerous ballads, some dating back as far as the 14th century, earned fame by robbing from the rich and giving it back to the poor. A skilled archer and sword fighter as he was, Robin Hood famously defended villagers from attacks by corrupt noblemen,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Nottingham's Historical Buildings
Given the variety of architectural styles and designs in Nottingham, England, it is safe to call it the city of contrasts. The tapestry of historical buildings found here, each weaving a unique story of the city's past, is quite rich and worthy of attention.
Among these architectural treasures is the Bell Inn, a charming establishment steeped in history and character. Its traditional... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Among these architectural treasures is the Bell Inn, a charming establishment steeped in history and character. Its traditional... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles