Stanwick St John

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Stanwick St John is a village in Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, England. It is situated between the towns of Darlington and Richmond, close to Scotch Corner and the remains of the Roman fort and bridge at Piercebridge.

The name 'Stanwick' is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word 'steinvegges', meaning stone walls. It has been established that in 1225, Stanwick was known as 'Steinweg'; a contemporary document concerning a dispute over church revenue, which led to the church being attacked and the vicar barricading himself inside, refers to 'murder, fire and sacrilege within the church at Steinweg'.

Not much remains of the once thriving settlement at Stanwick except the parish church, the Church of St John The Baptist. The present church dates from the 13th Century, although large sections of it were rebuilt during architect Anthony Salvin's major restoration of the building in 1867-8. The remains of a 9th Century cross-shaft in the tower and a number of carved stones set into the walls suggest an earlier building may have occupied the site. Its location in an unusual circular churchyard also hints at a possible pre-Norman conquest burial ground. The church has not held regular services since 1990, although it remains consecrated.

The Church of St John The Baptist and its circular churchyard.

The remains of the 9th century cross-shaft located in the tower.

What would appear to be similar remains of a cross-shaft, located in the churchyard. Possibly both remains are from the same cross-shaft.

Detail of carved stone used in the exterior walls suggesting the presence of an earlier building on the site.

Another detail of carved stone in the exterior walls.

Detail of carved and coloured stones used in the interior entrance walls.

Completely surrounding the village of Stanwick St John are Stanwick Iron Age Fortifications, a huge Iron Age hill fort comprising six miles of ditches and ramparts enclosing over 700 acres of land.

Some archaeologists and historians believe that these massive fortifications enclosed the ancient city of Rigodunum, the capital of Brigantia, occupied by Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes .