Wimborne Minster (church): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Church in Dorset, England}}

'''Wimborne Minster''', known locally as the Minster is the Parish [[church]] of [[Wimborne]], Dorset. The Minster has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual [[chained library]] (one of the few surviving chained libraries in the world) and several important [[tomb]]s.

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox church

|name = Wimborne Minster

|image = File:View of the Southern Side of Saint Cuthburga's Church, Wimborne Minster.jpg

|caption =

|dedication = [[Cuthburh|Saint Cuthburga]]

|denomination = [[Church of England]]

|churchmanship =

|parish = [[Wimborne Minster]]

|deanery =

|archdeaconry =

|diocese = [[Diocese of Salisbury|Salisbury]]

|province = [[Province of Canterbury|Canterbury]]

|country = England

|presbytery =

|archbishop =

|bishop =

|dean =

|prebendary =

|provost =

|canon =

|canon1 =

|canon2 =

|canon3 =

|priest =

|vicar =

|vicar1 =

|vicar2 =

|rector = Andrew Rowland

|curate =

|curate1 =

|minister =

|assistant =

|honpriest =

|deacon =

|pastor =

|organistdom = Colin Davey

|organist =

|website = {{official URL}}

|coordinates =

|bells = 13 change ringing bells, 2 clock bells

|tower height = Central Tower: {{cvt|84|ft}}<br />West Tower: {{cvt|95|ft}}

|bell weight = {{long ton||29|2|20}}

|embedded = {{Designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Grade I Listed Building | designation1_offname = The Minster Church of St Cuthburga | designation1_date = 14 June 1952 | designation1_number = 1119581}}}}

{{Portal|Christianity}}'''Wimborne Minster''' is the [[parish church]] of [[Wimborne Minster|Wimborne]], [[Dorset]], England. The minster has existed for over 1300 years and is recognised for its unusual [[chained library]] (one of only a few surviving chained libraries in the world). The minster is a former [[monastery]] and Benedictine [[nunnery]], and [[Æthelred of Wessex|King Æthelred of Wessex]] is buried there.

[[Image:Dorset wimborne minster.jpg|thumb|The Minster]]

==History==

===Wimborne Abbey===

The Minster is dedicated to [[St. Cuthburga]], sister to [[Ine of Wessex|Ina]], King of the West Saxons. Cuthburga founded an Abbey under the auspices of a [[Benedictine Nunnery]] at the site of the present day Minster in circa A.D. [[705]]. A monastry was also built around this time, adjacent to the Abbey. Over the next hundred years the Abbey and Monastry grew in size and importance. In [[871]] [[Alfred the Great]] buried his brother King [[Ethelred of Wessex|Ethelred]] (not the Unready) in the Minster.

The minster is dedicated to [[Cuthburh|Saint Cuthburga]] (sister to [[Ine of Wessex|Ine, King of Wessex]] and wife of [[Aldfrith of Northumbria|Aldfrith, King of Northumbria]]) who founded a [[Benedictine]] [[abbey]] of nuns at the present day minster {{circa}} 705. [[Saint Walpurga]] was educated in the monastery, where she spent 26 years before travelling to Germany, following the missionary call of her mother's brother [[Saint Boniface]]. [[Leoba]] was also educated in this place. A monastery for men was also built around this time, adjacent to the abbey. Over the next hundred years the abbey and monastery grew in size and importance. The Anglo-Saxon name of the abbey, monastery and town was Winburna.<ref>[https://germanic.ge/en/ang/word/Winburna/ Winburna]. Accessed 17 Feb 2025.</ref>

[[File:Wimborne Minster 2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The West Tower]]

In 871 King [[Æthelred of Wessex|Æthelred I]] of [[Wessex]], elder brother of [[Alfred the Great]], was buried in the minster. Alfred was succeeded by his son [[Edward the Elder]] in 899, and Æthelred's son, [[Æthelwold ætheling|Æthelwold]], rebelled and attempted to claim the throne. He seized a nun, probably of Wimborne, and made a stand there, probably because of its symbolic importance as his father's burial place, but he was unable to gain enough support to fight Edward and fled to the Vikings of Northumbria.<ref>{{cite book|first=Ryan|last= Lavelle|chapter=The Politics of Rebellion: the Ætheling Æthelwold and the West Saxon Royal Succession, 899–902|title=Challenging the Boundaries of Medieval History: The legacy of Timothy Reuter|editor-first= Patricia|editor-last= Skinner|publisher= Brepols|year= 2009|pages=61–63|isbn=978-2503523590}}</ref>

===Collegiate church===

The [[Nunnery]] was destroyed by the [[Danes]] in [[1013]] during one of their incursions into [[Wessex]] and never rebuilt, though the main Abbey survived. In [[1043]] [[Edward the Confessor]] founded a college of secular (non-monastic) canons, consisting of a dean, four prebends, four vicars, four deacons, and five singers at the Minster. The Minster was remodelled and rebuilt by the [[Normans]] between [[1120]] and [[1180]], to support that institution.

The women's monastery was destroyed by the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] in 1013 during one of their incursions into [[Wessex]] and never rebuilt, though the main abbey building survived. In 1043 [[Edward the Confessor]] founded a college of secular (non-monastic) [[canon (priest)|canon]]s, consisting of a [[Dean (Christianity)|dean]], four [[prebend]]s, four [[vicar]]s, four [[deacon]]s, and five singers at the minster. The minster was remodelled and rebuilt by the [[Normans]] between 1120 and 1180, to support that institution.

[[File:Pulpit Wimborne Minster.jpg|thumb|upright|The pulpit]]

In 1318 [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] issued a document that made the minster a [[royal peculiar]] which exempted it from all diocesan jurisdiction. The choir used to wear scarlet robes, a legacy of this peculiar. Similar robes of this type are worn in [[Westminster Abbey]] and [[St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle]]. In 1496 [[Lady Margaret Beaufort]], great-granddaughter of [[John of Gaunt]] and mother of [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]], founded a small [[chapel]] in the minster. With the reign of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] the remaining parts of the monastery were adopted into part of the minster to avoid being destroyed. However much of the wealth of the minster was confiscated by King Henry VIII.

In 1562 a grant was obtained from [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] by which part of the property formerly belonging to the college, together with all ecclesiastical rights and prerogatives was returned to Wimborne and vested in twelve governors. The charter was surrendered to [[James I of England|James I]] and a new charter was obtained from [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] at a cost of [[pound sterling|£]]1,000 with the addition of an organist and singing men. During the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], when Charles I was beheaded, his coat of arms was painted out from the wall of the minster, but on the restoration of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] the arms were speedily replaced and have now been restored.

In [[1318]] [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] issued a document that made the Minster a Royal Peculiar which exempted it from all diocesan jurisdiction. The choir used to wear scarlet robes, a legacy of this 'Peculiar'. Similar robes of this type are worn in [[Westminster Abbey]] and St. George's Chapel, [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]]. In [[1496]] Lady Margaret Beaufort, grand-daughter of [[John of Gaunt]] and mother of [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII,]] founded a small [[chapel]] in the Minster. With the reign of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] the remaining parts of the monastry were adopted into part of the Minster to avoid being destroyed. However much of the wealth of the Minster was confiscated by King Henry VIII.

In 1846 the royal peculiar was abolished, and now all that remains of the old order is the control by 12 governors of some of the minster affairs. The church was renovated towards the end of the 19th century and its last addition, a [[vestry]] was added at the same time. Today the church is a place of visit and worship for the local community and visitors.

Sixty six years later in [[1562]] a grant was obtained from [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] by which part of the property formerly belonging to the college, together with all ecclesiastical rights and prerogatives was returned to [[Wimborne]] and vested in twelve governors. The charter was surrendered to [[James I of England|James I]] and a new charter was obtained from [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] at a cost of £1000 with the addition of an organist and singing men. During the [[English Civil War]], when Charles I was beheaded his coat of arms was painted out from the wall of the Minster, but on the restoration of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] the arms were speedily replaced and have now been restored.

===Deans of Wimborne===

In [[1846]] the Royal Peculiar was abolished, and now all that remains of the old order is the control by 12 Governors of some of the Minster affairs. The Church was renovated towards the end of the 19th century and its last addition, a vestry was added at the same time. Today the church is a place of visit and worship for the local community and visitors.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

*Martin de Pateshull 1223

*Randolf Brito 1229

*John Mansell 1247

*John Kirby 1265

*John de Berwick 1286

*Stephen de Malo Lacu or Mauley 1312

*Richard de Clare 1317

*Richard de Swynnerton 1335

*Richard de Murymouth 1338

*Robert de Kyngeston 1342

*Thomas de Clopton 1349

*Reginald Brian 1349

*Thomas de Brembre 1350

*Henry de Bukyngham 1361

*Richard de Beverley 1367

*John Carp 1387

*Roger Coryngham 1400

*Peter de Altobasso or Altobosco 1412

*Walter Medford {{circa}} 1415

*[[Gilbert Kymer]] 1423

*Walter Hurte {{circa}} 1467

*[[Hugh Oldham]] 1485

*[[Thomas Ruthall]] {{circa}} 1508

*[[Henry Hornby (academic)|Henry Hornby]] {{circa}} 1509

*[[Reginald Pole]] 1518

*[[Nicholas Wilson (parson)|Nicholas Wilson]] 1537

{{div col end}}

==Architecture==

The central tower and nave were founded in [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] times, but the surviving building is predominantly [[Norman architecture|Norman]] in design and construction, with [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] components from various periods. One of its more famous architectural features include a working [[astronomical clock]], which rings every hour and is represented in the form of a colourful quarterjack. ItThe minster is built in a combination of Dorset limestone and [[New Forest]] stone.

The central length of the Minsterminster is {{convert|198 |feet}}. The width, except the transepts, varies formfrom {{convert|23 |feet}} in the nave to {{convert|21|feet}} in the choir. The western tower of the Minsterminster is {{convert|95 |feet}} in heighthigh. The smaller tower of the Minsterminster, above the transepts, is {{convert|84 |feet}}. The thirteenth13th-century [[spire]] which once topped this tower fell down in a storm around [[1600]].

It is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref>{{NHLE |num=1119581 |desc=The Minster Church of St Cuthburga |access-date=21 July 2015 }}</ref>

==The Chained Library==

The old Treasury which housed the wealth of the Minster has an important chained [[Library]]. The Library was founded in [[1686]] and is the second largest [[Chained Library]] in the Country and also one of the first public libraries. Some of the collections of the library include a manuscript written on lambskin in [[1343]], a book bound for the Court of [[Henry VIII]], an incunabula printed in 1495 on the works of St. Anselm, and a Paraphrase of Erasmus printed in [[1522]] with a title page designed by Holbein.

==The chained library==

[[File:Chained library, Wimborne Minster 1.jpg|thumb|right|Books in the chained library]]

Until it was [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|confiscated during Henry VIII's reign]], the old Treasury held the wealth of the minster and numerous artefacts such as (reputed to be) a piece of the true cross, wood from the Manger and cloth from the Shroud. Since 1686 it has housed an important [[chained library]]. The chained library was one of the first public libraries in the UK, and it remains the second-largest.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Wimborne Minster|title=The Chained Library|url=http://www.wimborneminster.org.uk/library.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325070152/http://www.wimborneminster.org.uk/library.html|archive-date=2012-03-25}}</ref> Some of the collections of the library include a manuscript written on lambskin in 1343, a book bound for the Court of [[Henry VIII]], an [[incunabulum]] printed in 1495 on the works of [[Anselm of Canterbury|Saint Anselm]], and a [[Paraphrases of Erasmus|Paraphrase of Erasmus]] printed in 1522 with a title page designed by Holbein.

The library is run by volunteers and remains open to the public on week days 10.30-12.30 & 2-4 (closed in winter season).

== The bells ==

Since 1911 the west tower at the minster has been home to a ring of ten bells.<ref name="Oliver2002">{{cite book|title=The Chained Library of Wimborne Minster Guidebook|last=Oliver|first=Christine|year=2002|publisher=Wimborne Minster Press|page=8}}</ref> The original tenor bell was housed in the central tower and was cast in 1385. The central tower was considered too structurally weak to add much more additional weight, so in 1464 the west tower was constructed in order to house five bells.<ref name="Oliver2002" /> In 1629 the tenor bell was recast. Besides the tenor, the minster at this time was home to the 'Bell of St. Cuthburga', 'The Fyfer Bell', 'The Jesus Bell' and 'The Morrow Mass Bell'; presumably all housed in the west tower.<ref name="Oliver2002" /> In 2012, the bells were augmented to 12 by [[Whitechapel Bell Foundry]], with an additional semitone bell cast to make a total of 13 bells.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmscbr.org/wmscbr/TheNewBellsPage/TheNewBellsPage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064545/http://www.wmscbr.org/wmscbr/TheNewBellsPage/TheNewBellsPage |archive-date=21 April 2014 |title=Wimborne Minster Society of Bell Ringers}}</ref>

==The organ==

[[File:Wimbourne Minster-12-Orgel-2004-gje.jpg|thumb|right|The organ in 2004]]

The organ was originally built in 1664 by Robert Hayward, of Bath. There are a number of ranks of pipes, still functioning in the present instrument, which date from this time. Originally, the organ stood upon a screen which separated the nave from the choir. However, in 1856 the organist at that time (Mr. F. Blount) removed the instrument and resited it in the south choir aisle. J. W. Walker & Sons rebuilt and enlarged the organ in 1866 and carried out further work in 1899, when a new case to house the Choir Organ was provided. This was designed by Walter J. Fletcher. In 1965, a major rebuilding and re-designing of the instrument took place, the work again being undertaken by J. W. Walker & Sons. The organ started being rebuilt by [[Mander Organs|Mander Organ Builders]] in 2021 with a possible completion date of early 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mander-organs.com/wimborne-minster/ |title=Wimborne Minster |website=Mander Organs}}</ref> The project will see the instrument reorganised, with two new cases, a revised winding system and a new 32' pedal Sub Bass.

===The organists===

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

*1537 John Clifford

*1590 Robert Durman

*1596 Arthur Maynard

*1600 Thomas Noble

*1610 [[William Eames]]

*1622 Thomas Noble

*1627 Thomas Cottrell

*1664 John Silver

*1695 George Day

*1713 John Fyler

*1743 George Combes

*1765 Richard Combes

*1798 William Mitchell

*1808 John Wright Blount

*1835 Frederick Stanley Blount

*1863 J. Whitehead Smith

*1897 J. E. Tidnam

*1902 [[Albert Edward Wilshire]]

*1915 G.E.C. Eyers

*1945 Norman Charlton-Burdon

*1954 Graham Sudbury

*1959 David S. Blott

*1967 Michael Austin

*1971 Barry Ferguson

*1977 Christopher Dowie

*2005 David Gostick (Director of Music)

*2019 Colin Davey

{{div col end}}

===Assistant organists===

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

*1943 Ronald Gomer

*1965 John Slater

*Graham Davies

*1974 Michael James

*1981 Roger Overend and Michael Pain

*1982 Simon Morley

*1986 Alex Ditchmont

*1987 Jonathan Melling

*1988 Sean Tucker

*Ed Dowie

*1997-2018 Sean Tucker (organist)

{{div col end}}

==The clock==

[[File:Wimborne_Minster,_the_astronomical_clock_-_geograph.org.uk_-_533559.jpg|thumb|right|The astronomical clock]]

Wimborne Minster is the home of [[Wimborne Minster Astronomical Clock]], one of a group of famous 14th to 16th century astronomical clocks to be found in the west of England. (See also

[[Salisbury Cathedral clock|Salisbury]],

[[Wells Cathedral clock|Wells]],

[[Exeter Cathedral#Clock|Exeter]], and

[[Ottery St Mary#Church|Ottery St Mary]].)

The clock's case was built in the [[Elizabethan era]], but the face and dial are of a much greater age; the first documents relating to the clock concern repairs carried out in 1409.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Chained Library of Wimborne Minster Guidebook|last=Oliver|first=Christine|year=2002|publisher=Wimborne Minster Press|page=9}}</ref> The face utilizes a pre-[[Heliocentrism|Copernican]] display, with a centrally placed earth orbited by the sun and stars.

It is currently maintained by Wimborne resident Bruce Jensen.

==Tombs==

The most important tomb in the church is that of King [[Ethelred of Wessex|Ethelred]], the brother of [[Alfred the Great]]. Ethelred was mortally wounded in a battle at [[Martin, Hampshire|Martin]], near [[Cranborne]]. The exact ___location of the tomb however is unknown, though sources and legend indicate that it resides somewhere near the Altaraltar. A 14th -century metal brass memorial next to the altar citesstates that the former Kingking is buried in the wall and is the only brass to mark the burial site of an English monarch. Two other important tombs, constructed out of [[alabaster]] and [[Purbeck Marble]], are alsothose inof the Minster,legitimised theygreat aregrandson of Edward III, [[John Beaufort]], 1st Duke of [[Somerset]], and his duchesssecond wife, the[[Margaret maternal grandparentsBeauchamp of KingBletso|Duchess Margaret Beauchamp]]. They were the parents of [[HenryLady VIIMargaret ofBeaufort|Margaret EnglandBeaufort]], constructedthe outmother of [[alabasterHenry VII of England|King Henry VII]] and are therefore the maternal grandparents of King [[PurbeckHenry VII of England]] marble.

==Other Gallery burials==

*[[Cuthburh]]

*[[Gertrude Courtenay, Marchioness of Exeter]]

*[[Montague Druitt]]

==Gallery==

<gallery>

ImageFile:Wimborne_Minster_1.jpg|The Southsouth Windowwindow of the minster

File:Wimborne_Minster_3.jpg|The baptistry door of the minster

Image:Wimborne_Minster_2.jpg|The West Tower

File:Wimborne_Minster_4.jpg|The tower from the south west

Image:Wimborne_Minster_3.jpg|The Baptistry door

File:Wimborne_Minster_5.jpg|The minster close 1

Image:Wimborne_Minster_4.jpg|The Tower from the South West

ImageFile:Wimborne_Minster_5Wimborne_Minster_6.jpg|The Minsterminster Closeclose 12

File:Wimborne_Minster_7.jpg|The crypt of the minster 1

Image:Wimborne_Minster_6.jpg|The Minster Close 2

File:Wimborne_Minster_8.jpg|The crypt of the minster 2

Image:Wimborne_Minster_7.jpg|The Crypt 1

File:Wimborne_Minster_10.jpg|The altar and the brass to King Ethelred I

Image:Wimborne_Minster_8.jpg|The Crypt 2

File:Wimborne_Minster_13.jpg|The window of St. Georges Chapel

Image:Wimborne_Minster_10.jpg|The Altar and the Brass to King Etherald

File:Sun Dial outside Wimborne Minster.jpg|Sundial outside the church

Image:Wimborne_Minster_11.jpg|The Astronomical Clock

Image:Wimborne_Minster_12.jpg|Looking upwards inside the main tower

Image:Wimborne_Minster_13.jpg|The window of St.Georges Chapel

Image:Wimborne_Minster_14.jpg|Looking from the West Tower to the Altar and Presbytery

Image:Wimborne_Minster_15.jpg|Photo of historial plan of the Minster

</gallery>

==Trivia==

* It has been suggested that the semi-mythical [[Pope Joan]] may have spent her youth at Wimborne Minster.

* St. Cuthburga was succeeded by Quinburga (her sister) and then by Tetta who used the Minster as a major training school. At one time 500 women were being trained in the Minster and it was from Wimborne that St. Boniface from Devon (c. 680-755) recruited missionaries to aid him in the task of evangelising the pagan tribes of Germany.

* In 2005, the Minster celebrated its official 1300th birthday.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

* Patricia H. Coulstock, ''The Collegiate Church of Wimborne Minster - Studies in the History of Medieval Religion'', (Boydell Press)

* {{cite book|title=The Chained Library of Wimborne Minster Guidebook|last=Oliver|first=Christine|year=2002|publisher=Wimborne Minster Press}}

by Patricia H. Coulstock (Boydell Press)

* The Chained Library of ''Wimborne Minster Official Guidebook'', Wimborne Minster and Jarrold Press (2002)

* [[Charles Herbert Mayo]], ''A history of Wimborne Minster: the collegiate church of [[Cuthburh|Saint Cuthburga]] and King's free chapel at Wimborne'', (Wimborne: Bell & Daldry, 1860)

* Wimborne Minster Official Guidebook, Wimborne Minster and Jarrold Press (2002)

==External links==

{{Commons category|Minster of St. Cuthburga, Wimborne Minster}}

* {{Official website}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060812181441/http://people.bath.ac.uk/lismd/dorset/churches/wimborne-minster.html Excellent Information on the Minster including Sources for further study]

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15648a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia Article on the Minster]

* [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/19511 Bell's Cathedrals: Wimbourne Minster and Christchurch Priory] — from [[Project Gutenberg]]

* [http://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?DoveID=WIMBORNE+M Information about the bells at the Minster]

{{Major Churches Network}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|50|47|56|N|1|59|17|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}

[[Category:Church of England church buildings in Dorset]]

* [http://www.wimborneminster.org.uk/| The Wimborne Minsters Main Website]

[[Category:Anglo-Saxon monastic houses]]

* [http://people.bath.ac.uk/lismd/dorset/churches/wimborne-minster.html|Excellent Information on the Minster including Sources for further study]

[[Category:Benedictine monasteries in England]]

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15648a.htm|Catholic Enyclopedia Article on the Minster]

[[Category:Monasteries in Dorset]]

{{Uncategorized|October 2006}}

[[Category:Wimborne Minster]]

[[Category:Grade I listed churches in Dorset]]

[[Category:8th-century establishments in England]]

[[Category:Burial sites of Anglo-Saxon royal houses]]

[[Category:Former Royal Peculiars]]

[[Category:705 establishments]]

[[Category:Churches completed in the 700s]]

[[Category:8th-century church buildings in England]]