North Cerney

North Cerney
All Saints, North Cerney Parish Church
North Cerney  North Cerney shown within Gloucestershire
OS grid reference	SP0207
Civil parish	North Cerney
District	Cotswold
Shire county	Gloucestershire
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CIRENCESTER
Postcode district	GL7
Dialling code	01285
Police	Gloucestershire
Fire	Gloucestershire
Ambulance	South Western
EU Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	Cotswold
List of places UK England Gloucestershire

Coordinates: 51°45′57″N 1°57′50″W / 51.7657°N 1.96377°W / 51.7657; -1.96377

North Cerney is a village and civil parish in the county of Gloucestershire, and lies within the Cotswolds, a range of hills designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is located 4 miles north of Cirencester within the Churn valley. It was recorded as Cernei in the Domesday Book.^[1] However, the North Cerney parish boundaries were known to exist in 852 AD when it was recorded that King of the Mercians granted lands in North Cerney to a man called Alfeah.^[2]

The parish also includes the villages of Woodmancote and Calmsden.

The North Cerney Manor was in the possession of Bishop of York from the Conqueror's time until 1545 when it was returned to the Crown.^[3]

North Cerney is represented by the county councillor for Northleach division and the district councillor for Churn Valley ward on Cotswold District Council.^[4] The County Council estimated in 2010 there were 556 people living in the village.^[5]

All Saints, Church

The early 12th-century Church of All Saints is English Heritage Grade 1 Listed for its special architectural and historic interest.^[6] Restorationas and exavations on the site have revealed several 12th-century artifacts that have been subsequently incorporated into the later works.^[7] Similarly, the Church's original 12th-century stone altar was rediscovered and returned to the church in 1912.^[8]

A fire in the 14th century severely damaged the Norman era roof as well as some walls. The church was fully restored though the wealth of the Cotswold wool industry and the determination of the rector William Whitchurch. A stained glass window in the church memoralises him for his efforts. Despite the fire, some Norman work in the tower, porch and chancel is still evident along with two other 14th-century stained glass windows. The south wall exterior shows some unusual scratch markings of a manticore and a leopard. The purpose of the markings is unknown but thought perhaps to been the work of masons during one of the expansions. There is a 14th-century churchyard cross on the grounds as well as numerous ancient grave memorials.^[9]

References