This exhibition within the church follows key events in the history of this locality, village, and Church since the Birth of Jesus through to the present day.
St Peter’s is one of the oldest structures in England’s Midlands. Its tower dates back to the 900s, if not earlier. At the foot of the central tower is the ‘Sanctuary’ with four Saxon arches the most ancient part of the building. This is all that is left of the small cross-shaped Church dating back to the time of the Viking wars. The sanctuary would actually have been the crossing of the Church with the altar in a tiny Chancel to the East.
(Click on the titles for more information)
The Britons and the Roman Interlude (0AD-700)
This Church and village lie in an area that was known to the Anglo Saxons as ‘Stoppingas’. Historians suggest that during the Iron Age, a hillfort and Celtic capital could have been located in the nearby Barnmoor Wood. Page 27 of the guide book.
In the same era, a mysterious ‘tump’ or ancient burial mound was created and remains in the churchyard to this day.
A Minster is Founded (700-1100)
Between 723 and 737 Aethebald, King of the Mercians gave the land where this Church now stands to Earl Aethelric for ‘Ecclesiastical rule and dispensation’ and where he established a monastery. A century earlier the inhabitants were not yet converted to Christianity.
A Planned Village, War and Plague (1100-1400)
Wagen the Saxon, was dispossessed of his lands following the Norman conquest of 1066. William the Conqueror gave them to his relative, Robert de Tonei who later took the name de Stafford. In turn Robert gave the Church of Wootton, land and income from it, to the Abbey of Conches in Normandy which is said to have been founded by his father.
Endings and Beginnings (1400-1600)
Following Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, Wootton’s Priory was bestowed to King’s College Cambridge in 1543 which remains the patron to this day. The Abbey of Conches released all title to the Priory to the college in 1547. The remains of the priory buildings lie beneath the turf of the field between the Church and the main road leading to Henley.
Old Faith and New Industry (1600-1880)
The squires of Edstone dominated the 18th and 19th centuries. William Somerville, buried in the Lady Chapel, wrote his epic ‘The Chase’ in praise of his hounds and Robert Knight celebrated his roguish father, Cashier of the South Sea Bubble, with the monstrous East window Urn. Villagers looked for work in the new Midlands industries.
Ancient Echoes in a New Age (1880-2000)
Wootton Wawen’s Catholic and Anglican communities, both nurtured in the Benedictine tradition of balancing prayer and work, joined to celebrate Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1887. They do so again to celebrate the third Christian millennium. Their common prayer is for a recovery of the life of the spirit.
The Third Millennium Begins (2000 – present day)
As the Coronation of King Charles III is celebrated the Nation reflects on the historic reign of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, her Jubilee celebrations and death in 2022. Nations across the globe progressively embrace their environmental responsibilities and technological advances continue apace. Meanwhile this Church maintains its place as it has done for over 1000 years, being the focal point of the village and for its people. A place of peace, history and worship.