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DARLTON CHURCH
INTERIOR OF DARLTON CHURCH
The Church consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, small west tower. It is described in White's Directory, 1844, as follows:—"The Church is a small venerable structure dedicated to St. Giles." The Rev. Henry Jubb, writing in 1906, gives an interesting description of what "the venerable structure" was like when he became vicar in 1856:—"The Church as I found it was in a deplorable state, as bad as anything could be, with a chancel cut off by a wall and merely a doorway". Again he writes, "I found a wretched old brick porch, not worth keeping, and I built a Lychgate in preference to a new porch. The chancel I found quite separated by a wall from the nave, so that for the Ante-communion Office I quite disappeared to read the commandments."
"The chief interest is the south doorway, Trans, dawn of E.E c 1200". (J. C. Cox). "The arcading is c.1400. The church was much restored in 1863.
BRASSES IN DARLTON CHURCH — DATE, 1510 Probably Sir William Mering and his wife
There are two brasses, figures of a man in armour and a lady evidently belonging to one monument. When the writer came to the parish he found them mounted on pieces of wood; they are now mounted on a stone slab, which is placed against the north wall of the chancel. Haines, who mentions them, assignes them to the date c 1510. There is no inscription, it was lacking even in Throsby's time. They are described in "Notes and Quiries", edited by J. P. Briscoe, as follows:—
Male figure—The pauldrons, or shoulder defences, are much smaller than those of an earlier date, and have projecting edges, rising perpendicularly; that on the left shoulder being much higher, to defend the neck from a sweeping sword stroke. The tuiles, attached traces, are small, and are worn at the sides as well as in the front; and a deep skirt of mail now appears. The sword is suspended diagonally from the left side behind the figure, not in front as in earlier examples; and the misericord hangs diagonally from the right, the latter weapon being of a larger size than those previously worn. The genouilleres, or knee defences, have small plates above and below, and the feet are encased in large and clumsy sabbatons, which have a gusset of mail at the instep. The spurs are guarded at the revels by a thin plate of steel (this is sometimes said—but without much proof—to show that the wearer held some court office). A narrow collar of mail protects the throat. Both head and hands are bare, and the hair is represented long and flowing.
The lady wears a head-dress of that kind which succeeded the Butterfly type. It is a species of bonnet usually made of velvet and known by various names, but commonly called the Kennel head-dress. This type, like its predecessor, was supported by wires at the back, while from the side of the head two long embroidered streamers fell midway to the elbow. The gown is cut square at the neck, and trimmed with fur at the neck, cuffs, and at the bottom of the skirt. Around the waist is an ornamented girdle, with rich clasps. From this depends a chain of quadrangular links at the end of which is a pomander (?). Both figures are coarsely cut, and are represented as standing upon grassy ground, conventionally represented by perpendicular lines."
There are two gravestones in the Church. One is under the altar, with inscription:—'' William Calvert, died August 31st, 1837, aged 83." The other is placed against the south wall of the tower, with inscription:—"Esther, the wife of William Calvert, died February 22nd, 1825, aged 66 years.
Integrity and faithfulness sincere From early germ spontaneously matured, Deep rooted in her breast while on her lip Truth ever sat, the herald of her heart.
Nor did her friends appreciate her worth Alone, censure disarm'd in silence paus'd, Aborb'd the wonted venom of its tongue, And ceased to carp at what it must approve.
On this fair stock the Christian scion plac'd Budded and cast the foliage round the stem. Till nature (in exhaustion) claimed its own To dust original, the nobler part By mutual love attracted soar'd on high To join in rapt'rous strains harmonic praise, In loud hosannahs to the King of Kings.
Of grief and joy alternate flowing tears, Prom friends belov'd lav'd her afflicted bed: As anguish urg'd or heavenly joy inspir'd, While she solicited the aid of Him She lov'd, and who had sav'd a ruined world. Thus sweetly smiling wing'd the aetherial path, That leads to heaven's glory and to God."
Chaplains and Curates of Darlton.
| 1331 | Dom Ric de la Moore | |
| 1357 | Robert | |
| 1572 to 1584 | Robert Wilberfosse | |
| 1594 to 1601 | John Hammond became Vicar of Dunham | |
| 1659 to 1660 | Christopher Dickinson, Minister | |
| 1754 to 1760 | John Hebblethwaite | |
| 1771 | George Holt | |
In 1659 there are entries of two marriages and one in 1660 solemnized by Christopher Dickinson, Minister of Darlton. It would appear that after the death of Walter Cary, Vicar, in 1657, Christopher Dickinson was appointed by the Commonwealth to Darlton, but at the Restoration in 1660 he either resigned or was dismissed. William Brompton, Minister of Dunham at that time being appointed vicar of the three parishes.
The names of Ric de la Moore and Robert occur as witnesses on deeds of conveyance of land. (British Museum).
The names of Robert Wilberfosse and John Hammond occur as witnesses of several Wills.
Registers.
There are six volumes:—
I. Contains Baptisms and Burials from 1568 to 1812, Marriages from 1568 to 1754.
On the front page is written, "Memorandum. That Tuxford School was built chiefly for Darlton children by a Darlton man named Mr Read of Darlton. Witness my hand, Jo: Ethesington M. A." "Consult Mr Read's Will for a confirmation of ye assertion."
'' This appears to be a mistake for I have seen the Will of Mr Read and can find no mention of Darlton in it. Edw: Younghusband, Curate of Darlton, September 30, 1830."
The mistake made by the Rev. J. Etherington may have arisen from the fact that'' the cost of building Tuxford School in the first place was to be paid out of the first year's rents of some leasehold lands in Darlton which he (i.e. Mr. Read) held of which two years were unexpired." (Victorian History of Nottingham).
Date 1653 is the following entry:—"Be it remembered that upon a certificate under hands of diverse of the inhabitants of Darlton, Ragnall, and Dunham, showing that they have elected Mr Jeffery Lees of Darlton to have the keeping of the severall parish Registers. I do approve hereof and doo signifie that the said Mr Jeffery Lees do on the second of November take the oath well and trulie to execute the said office during his continuance therein. Given under my hand at Grove, November the second one thousand six hundred and fifty three.
| Edw: Neville" | ||||
| II. | Contains Marriages | 1754 to 1810 | ||
| III. | ditto | 1813 to 1836 | ||
| IV. | ditto | 1836 | } | Still |
| V. | Baptisms | 1813 | } | in |
| VI. | Burials | 1813 | } | use. |
Vestments and Altar Plate.
Darlton, like Dunham, was once well supplied with vestments. The Commissioners in 1552 state—"We deliver to Martin Smythe and George Gabitus, churchwardens there, John Donnes and to William Gabitus, Gentlemen, these parcels ffolowing:—
| In primis two bells | ||
| Item | one chalice parcel-gilt | |
| one cross of brass | ||
| one coppe of blake and green sylke | ||
| one vestment of green and redde satyn of brigges | ||
| one vestment of blue | ||
| redde satane of brigges | ||
| ii old corpoures | ||
| one candlestick of brass | ||
| three altar cloths | ||
| one old | of sensing | |
| iii | ||
| iii | ||
| iii | ||
Signed, Joseph Clyfton, John Hersy, Anthony Nevell.
None of these articles remain. The altar-plate now consists of—
Chalice Silver 5% inches high, weight 6 oz.
Cover or paten 3% oz, date 1579.
Paten, 4 oz, inscribed "T. Cheadle MA, G. Morris BA curates. AD 1856".
Flagon 9½ inches high, weight 18 oz. "To the glory of God. The offering of Thomas and Lydia Cheadle to St. Giles Church, Darlton, 1856."
Small chalice pewter, modern.
The chalice of 1579 is known as a "Grindle Communion-cup". In 1571 Archbishop Grindle of York (afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury) issued an injunction, which was as follows:—'' Item, that at times when ye minister ye holye sacraments and upon Sundayes and other holye dayes when ye say the common prayer and other dyvine service in your parish churches and chappells, at all marriages and burryalls ye shall (when ye minister) weare a clean and decent surples with large sleeves and shall minister the holye communion in no chalice nor anye prophane cupp or glasse, but in a communion cupp of silver with a cover of silver, appointed also for the ministration of the communion of bread etc."
Several parishes possess silver cups of about that date, which have happily survived the ravages of the Commonwealth. The Darlton cup is rather different in shape from those in neighbouring parishes, and may possibly have been a pre-Reformation chalice altered in accordance with the Injunction. Chalices were an abomination to the puritanical Archbishop because they were engraved with a crucifix, many therefore would be melted down or altered to meet his wishes.
Bells.
There are three bells. The inscription is the same on each of them, namely, "The gift of Joseph Walker, Esq, 1787." "T. Hilton of Wath, Founder."
Dedication.
The dedication of the Church is St. Giles, but according to the York records it is said to be St. John. The village feast is held during the first week in September which synchronizes with the feast of St. Giles, Sept. 1st (new reckoning).
St. Giles.
St. Giles or AEgidius was born at Athens about the middle of the 7th century. His family was noble, and, as some say, of royal descent. While he was still very young, he sold his patrimony and left his native country that he might serve God in retirement. At first he chose a retreat at a spot near the mouth of the Rhone which bears the name of St. Giles, not far from the important city of Aries, whence he has often been confounded with another Giles, who lived a century and a half earlier, and who was sent on an embassy to Rome by Cassarius, Archbishop of Aries, in AD 514. St. Giles then retired, for the sake of more perfect solitude into a forest near the river Gardo, in the diocese of Nismes. He took with him only one companion, Veredemus, who lived with him, it is recorded on the fruits of the earth and the milk of the hind. As Flavins Wamba, a king of the Goths, was one day hunting in the neighbourhood of Nismes, his dogs pursued her to the hermitage of the Saint, where she took refuge. The King was astonished to find the holy man in such a wild region. He treated him with great reverence, and tried to prevail upon him to leave his solitude; but finding it in vain, he gave him land for the endowment of a monastery. The spot where he chose was called Vallis Flaviana, from the name of the royal founder. It was gradually filled with monks of the Benedictine order. In the government of this house St. Giles spent more than fifty years of his life. He died in 725. He is usually represented in the habit of an Abbot, with a pastoral staff in his hand, and accompanied by a hind with its head or forefeet in his lap.
St. Giles is the patron of the city of Edinburgh. He is also esteemed the patron of cripples, from his refusing to be cured of an accidental lameness, that he might be enabled to mortify himself more completely. (See Lives of the Saints.)
Some people declare that he remained a hermit all his life, and when at last he died, his cell by the river side, which had so long been his home, served as his grave. A monastery was established on the spot, which became powerful and famous.
Nottinghamshire County Records.
"On July 15th, 1642, John Tompkin of Darleton was indicted for fighting with the waterman. Disturbances between the landsmen and the watermen on the Trent were not uncommon. ''
In Darlton on the opposite side of the road to the smithy a stone is built into the wall of a dwelling house, on which is inscribed some Hebrew letters. The house was once a Methodist Chapel. White's Directory of 1844 states "A small Methodist Chapel was built about 30 years ago." There is in Dunham a small Wesleyan Chapel erected in the year 1824.