St Mary Magdalene, Campsall

St Mary Magdalene, Campsall
53°37′13″N 1°10′41″W / 53.6204°N 1.1780°WCoordinates: 53°37′13″N 1°10′41″W / 53.6204°N 1.1780°W
Denomination Church of England
Churchmanship Broad Church
History
Dedication St Mary Magdalene
Administration
Parish Campsall
Archdeaconry Doncaster
Diocese Sheffield
Province Canterbury
Clergy
Priest(s) Interregnum

St Mary Magdalene, Campsall, is a parish church in the Church of England in Campsall.

History

The present church, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene, was established towards the end of the eleventh century[1] and contains features of almost every style of architecture since that time.[2]

It is Grade I listed.[3]

Benefactors

The church was supported for many years by its principal benefactors, the Yarbrough family of Campsmount.[4][5] Among the numerous monuments in the chancel, there is a fine memorial commemorating Thomas Yarbrough by renowned sculptor, John Flaxman.

Robin Hood

It is locally reputed that legendary outlaw Robin Hood was married to Maid Marian at this church. Based upon a Child Ballad,[6] the theory is founded on the premise that St Mary Magdalene is the only possible church in the area to fit the description,[7] but no firm evidence exists for this supposition.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Ryder, P.F., 'Saxon Churches in South Yorkshire', South Yorkshire County Council, County Archaeology Monograph No 2, 1982.
  2. ↑ Heritage Inspired website
  3. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St Mary Magdalene (1151464)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  4. ↑ later the Cooke-Yarbrough family, Doncaster MBC Archives Department, Cooke-Yarbrough Records, ref. DZ/MZ/62
  5. ↑ Rotherham History website
  6. ↑ Child, F. J. (ed.), 'The English and Scottish Popular Ballads', pub. Henry Stevens, London, 1882-1898.
  7. ↑ A Gest of Robyn Hode, verse 440 (Fytte) reads : "I made a chapel in Barnsdale, That seemly is to see, It is of Mary Magdalene, And there to would I be." Campsall church has the only dedication to St Mary Magdalene in the area of "Barnsdale" (now known as Wentbridge)
  8. ↑ Houlder, E., "Hunting out the remains of Robin Hood", British Archaeology, Issue no 48, October 1999 (ISSN 1357-4442)