St Peter & St Lawrence
Wickenby, Lincolnshire
A lovely village church with interesting features to be discovered including early 14th century stained glass depicting three medieval family shields of the Percy, Umfraville and Beaumont families.
This beautiful atmospheric church dates back to the 12th century, but it was during the reign of Henry VIII that All Saints gained notoriety.
Henry VIII was a formidable king and anyone courageous enough to oppose him knew the likely consequences. Henry was seeking to dismantle much of the traditional church in Lincolnshire. The King’s envoy was sent to Lincoln Cathedral to read out the King’s proclamation. Thomas Retford was present and he noticed that some of the most contentious passages were omitted and so he demanded that the document was read out in full. As a result of his actions he was put to death as a member of the ‘Lincolnshire Rising’.
All Saints contains beautiful carved stone medieval faces and a rare ‘Leper’s window’ that enabled succour to be passed to those with leprosy who had to stay outside the church. There is also an ancient sundial hidden in the stonework outside.