St Margaret
Quadring, Lincolnshire
Medieval church in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, our church stands in isolation from the village and has stood here for over 700 years.
There has been a church here for at least a thousand years.
The remains of the earlier Norman church are visible via specially made trapdoors in the floor. The oldest bell pre dates the Civil War and from the tower it is possible to see the hills beyond Stamford and also the Wolds.
Our church has one of the Fenland’s loftiest spires (176 feet from ground level to the top of the spire) and has many unique features including an elephant. There is space in the spire (above the tower) for over 20 people!
It is believed that many of the plain windows in the church were replacements for those smashed by Cromwell’s army or supporters during the Civil War. His army also removed all the brass detail from memorials in the floor to melt down and use for guns and cannons. The church is reputed to be connected by secret tunnels to at least two old homes, the evidence of one has been found.
The ‘Perpendicular’ style of architecture was invented by William of Wykeham, a famous 15th century vicar, and two windows here may be his earliest work. Two of Oxford University’s Colleges were founded by former vicars and it has much to tell us of the local history of the area for past centuries.
Two former Lord Mayors of London were baptised here: Sir Thomas Boor Crosby & Sir George Bolles. Sir George Bolles (1538-1621)was knighted in 1618 despite the fact that, as Lord Mayor, he stopped King James I from travelling in his carriage through the city on a Sunday during the hour of worship. The King is reported to have responded humourously that 'he had thought that there was no King in England besides himself'.