It was proving to be a very hot week and so it was a relief to explore the cooler interior of St Mary’s Church in Rye. The church stands on the edge of the town, on top of the hill, surrounded by a churchyard, and it was just down the road from the hotel in which we were staying. This was one of the first ‘explorations’ in a week which we hoped would be similar to the days spent earlier in the year in Sandwich.
A brief history of St Mary Church in Rye
The church, a Grade I listed building, dates from the 12th century when it was founded under the patronage of the Abbey of Fecamp in Normandy.
In 1377 the French invaded the town and the church was badly damaged: the roof fell in and the bells were taken back to France, but recovered the following year.1 There was much rebuilding during the following two centuries.
The turret clock dates from 1561/2 and is one of the oldest working clocks of its kind in England. Two little figures at the top (rather indistinct here) are quarter boys, i.e they struck the quarter hours, and they were added later.
Inside St Mary Church in Rye
There is a detailed exploration of the details inside the church here – just too hot to do more!
The original gold quarter boys stand in a window inside the church, but I can’t find information about the suit of armour. There is apparently more armour n the museum in the Ypres Tower/Castle. There is some impressive stained glass and original floor tiles. It was peaceful, and cool, and th visitors were quiet and respectful.
St Mary Churchyard
The churchyard has been closed for burials for over 170 years and so there are some interesting old tombstones.
St Mary’s Church is rather lovely, surrounded by a quiet, green churchyard, and it impressively large for such a small town.
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