< Previous | Contents | Next >
RAGNALL CHURCH.
RAGNALL CHURCH EXTERIOR, SOUTH SIDE
The Church has been built at three or four different periods. The chancel was probably built during the first half of the 14th century. When the Church was restored in 1863 the chapel on the south side was added; the massive pillar and the two arcades which it supports, are quite out of keeping with the architecture of the Church. The nave was rebuilt in the 15th century, the Perpendicular period, the windows on the north side are perhaps earlier than those on the south. The previous nave may have required repairing, and so it was partially, if not entirely, rebuilt, and as was customary in mediaeval times, not repaired or rebuilt on the old lines, but, as we should say, '' brought up to date.'' On the exterior of the south side, the corbels of the hood-mould of two windows are carved figures. The window to the west has the figure of an angel on one side and of a man in armour on the other, and the window on the east has on one side the figure of a lady, and on the other that of a jester. The armour of the knight, and the dress of the lady are such as were worn during the reign of King Henry V. (1413 to 1422). It seems very probable that they are the effigies of Sir John Croftes and his wife, who at that time owned the Ragnall estate and inhabited the Hall, and at whose cost, no doubt, the nave was built. In mediaeval times the jester was a privileged person, whose business it was to keep his master and mistress amused. It may be assumed that he was a particular favourite of Sir John Croftes, and therefore his effigy has been perpetuated. The angel may represent a son who died in his boyhood or youth. In his will, Sir John wishes his body to be buried before the altar of St. Mary. This altar, no doubt, stood against the east wall of the nave, on the south side, which is now the entrance to the chapel. The north doorway, which is common to all old churches, has been blocked up. It is difficult to decide when the tower was built, it is probably of the same date as the chancel. On the outside of the west window are carved heads of a monk and a bishop; the monk is modern, and probably replaces some earlier carving, but the bishop is ancient, the mitre on his head is small, and therefore of early date. The front is ancient, probably the same date as the nave, but unfortunately has been chiselled in order to deface the ravages of time, or wilful damage. The Rev. Henry Jubb, whose sister, Miss Jubb, defrayed the cost of restoration in 1863, describes the Church as having "a very mean interior, filled with pews"; he says "a small side aisle was added to the Church filled with children's seats. Much was done to make it a worthy sanctuary". Stained glass was placed in the east window as a memorial to their parents. The inscription, "To the Glory of God, and in memory of John Jubb of St. Petersborough, obit 1857, and of Harriet his wife, obit 1835. November 1864." The subject of the window is our Lord crucified, St. Mary Magdalene kneeling at the foot of the cross. On the panel on the right side of the Saviour is the B. V. M., and in that on the left the figure of St. John.
Dedication of the Church.
The dedication of the Church is now said to be St. Oswald, but it is evident that the original dedication was St. Leonard. In the Wills of John Crofts, 1451; Robert Nevyll, 1527, and Richard Harrison, 1543, the Church is referred to as that of St. Leonard. John Croftes leaves several bequests to the chapel of St. Leonard, Ragenhill, and wills '' my body to be buried in the chapel of St. Leonard before the altar of St. Mary." Robert Nevyll wills his '' body to be buried before St. Leonard in the chancel and chapel in the same place and stead where Joan my wife is buried." Also in 1543 Richard Harrison wills his body to be buried in the chapel of St. Leonard at Ragenhill. We have not found in ancient documents any reference to the Church as that of St. Oswald.
St. Leonard, Deacon and Confessor (Nov. 6th, 559).
St. Leonard was born at Le Mans, and was brought up at the court of Clovis, the Frankish King. He grew up with every advantage temporal and spiritual. The King himself was his godfather, and his religious training was in the hands of the great bishop Remiguous. He shrank from the promising career that was marked out for him, and leaving the court, he retired to the monastery of Mescy, not far from Orleans. St. Leonard there assumed the religious habit, but aspiring to a life of more perfect solitude, he obtained leave from his superior to depart. He travelled through the province of Berri, converting many heathen as he went along. On his arrival at the Limousin, he chose for his retreat a forest at the distance of four leagues from Lemoges, where he built an oratory. His food was wild herbs and fruits. His fame began to be known, and the hearts of many were filled with ardent longings after the same life of heavenly communion. His hermitage soon became a flourishing monastery. The King bestowed upon it part of the forest which lay around it. After many years spent in the service of his heavenly Master, his labours were crowned by a happy death, in the year 559. In England St. Leonard was formerly regarded with much honor. About one hundred and fifty churches still retain their dedications to his name. He is represented in the dalmatic of a deacon (the highest order which he would receive), and generally has chains and fetters in his hands, because of his remarkable charity towards captives and prisoners, and his zeal in trying to lead them to contrition and repentance.
The Easter Sepulchre.
Robert Nevyll wills that his "oon tomb be made a convenient height that the sepulchre at Easter time may stand upon." An Easter Sepulchre was in some churches a recess in the wall, usually on the north side of the chancel, ornamented with a variety of decorations, in which the Holy Sacrament was placed on Good Friday, and taken out again on Easter Day morning—being symbolical of the burial and resurrection of the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps few churches possessed an Easter Sepulchre as a permanent structure, but in those which did not a richly ornamented temporary structure was placed on the north side of the chancel near the high altar for that purpose. Robert Nevyll wills his tombstone to be so elevated and placed that the sepulchre, that is the temporary structure, may be placed upon it every year from Good Friday to Easter Day. Although the tomb itself has long since disappeared the tombstone still remains, and now forms the step into the side chapel, behind the organ.
The Church contains only a very few tombstones with inscriptions. There are stones to the memory of "William Mellish and of Dorothy his wife'', another of '' Robert Mellish Esq". In the nave there is only one, which is to the memory of '' Eliza Moore wife of Thomas Moore, who departed this life April 13, 1728." Two memorial tablets have already been described (pages 71 and 75).
Bells.
The tower contains three bells with dates and inscriptions:
| 1. | A. | D. | 1608. | IHSUS be our speed. |
| 2. | A. | D. | 1676. | HIS Nazarenus Rex IV. Deorum Filius Miserere. (Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews. The Son of God. Have mercy.) |
| 3. | A. | D. | 1676. | Tempore Resonii Melish. |
Registers.
Vol I. contains Baptisms and Burials 1700 to 1792, and Marriages 1700 to 1756.
"Written on the outside of the cover are the following memoranda:—"A true and perfect Register of all Baptisms, Marriages and Burials at Ragnall in the Parish of Dunham and County of Nottingham, beginning in the year of our Lord 1700.
Joseph Etherington
Master of Arts
Vicar of Dunham." "June 7th. Memorandum Yt Mrs Eliza: Mellish, Lady of the Manor of Dunham, gave a silver fflagon, a silver salver or paten, and a silver cup or chalice with a silver cover to it, to the Church of Ragnall.
Witness my hand
Jo. Etherington."
"Memorandum. That Mrs fflinton gave a silver salver to the Church of Ragnall, December 22nd 1705. Tester
Jo. Etherington."
In the entry of her burial it is also stated that she made this gift to the Church. Unfortunately the salver has disappeared. How long since is not known.
Vol. II. contains Baptisms and Burials 1793 to 1812.
Vol. III. contains Marriages 1796 to 1812.
Vol. IV. contains Marriages 1813 to 1836. In this register we find frequently the signature of John Penrose, who was Rector of Fledborough. One entry is signed by "Thomas Arnold, Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford", the celebrated Head Master of Rugby School, who married a daughter of John Penrose. Another entry is signed by Charles Kingsley, father of the well known writer and Vicar of Eversley.
| Vol. V. contains Baptisms commencing 1813. | } | Still |
| Vol. VI. contains Burials commencing 1813. | } | in |
| Vol. VII. contains Marriages commencing 1836. | } | use. |
A volume of Marriages 1796 to 1812 is missing, which was included in the return made in 1831. (See MMS. 9355. BM.)
Altar Plate.
| Chalice silver, 9 inches high, weight | 16 oz. | } | Inscribed on |
| Paten or cover, | 8 oz. | } | each piece, "Ex dono |
| Salver, | 27 oz. | } | Eliz M. |
| Flagon, 12 inches high, | 56 oz. | } | June 7, 1720 |
| Tankard with lid, plated silver 11 inches high. Date 1821. | |||
Chaplains of Ragnall.
| A. D. 1328 | Dom | Robert |
| 1362 and 1377 | Richard Seman | |
| 1422 | Richard Martyn | |
| 1427 and 1428 | John Spanyelle | |
| 1461 and 1472 | Norman Power | |
| 1484 and 1506 | John Elton | |
| 1527 | Sir | John Unwin |
NOTE: Sir" was a title given especially to chaplains.