Bothal Church - A Potted History
With a history spanning over a thousand years, Bothal’s church is a place of deep historical significance. While most of the current building is medieval or later, fragments of an Anglo-Saxon cross and other stone remnants suggest an even earlier church existed on this site. It is possibele that worship has taken place here since the seventh century, with a small stone church likely built around the year 900.
This Anglo-Saxon structure was eventually replaced by a larger Norman church. The first Norman lord of Bothal Castle, Richard Bertram, commissioned this new church in 1161. His son, Robert Bertram I, further expanded it around 1200, adding the chancel.
A number of carved stone heads, dating from approximately this time, can be seen on some of the pillar capitals, providing an insight into medieval life. You can spot a peasant, his wife, a king, and a bishop, all symbolising the social order of the time. The styles and execution of the carvings vary somewhat, and it seems reasonable to suggest these were added at varying times.
In 1343, a later descendant, Robert Bertram IV, received permission to fortify Bothal Castle’s gatehouse and, at the same time, added the church’s south aisle.
Peasant
Peasant’s Wife
King
Bishop
The Baroness
In the late 14th century, Helen Bertram, Baroness of Bothal, made notable changes to the church. Helen, as her father’s heiress, was granted permission to convert the south aisle chapel into a chantry.
This significant alteration led to the heightening of both the north and south aisles. Flatter roofs were added to the aisles, and the striking trefoil windows that are visible today were installed. These windows still hold pieces of original 14th and 15th-century stained glass. You can still see fragments of red, blue, and yellow glass from around 1400 and gold glass from about 1500. They depict scenes such as the Crucifixion and the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
The Ogle Tomb is a magnificent feature. Made from alabaster, it depicts Ralph, Lord Ogle (a notable Tudor courtier who died in 1513) and his wife, Lady Margaret Gascoigne.
During this time, the walls above the nave arcades were raised to create a clerestory, a series of eight small windows that brought more light into the church. The nave roof, also from this period, is considered one of the church’s notable architectural features. It has notable arch braces and wall posts that rest on stone corbels.
Victorian Changes
The Victorian era marked a period of significant change for Bothal’s church, with two major restorations taking place.
The first restoration was in 1857, initiated by Rector Hopwood, who focused on the chancel. This initial work laid the groundwork for the more extensive changes to come.
The second, and more substantial, restoration occurred in 1887 under the supervision of Rector William Ellis. This project was a major overhaul of the church, particularly the chancel. The entire south wall of the chancel was rebuilt, the other walls were raised, and a new roof was installed. At the same time, the church’s entrance porch was added. While the porch (shown here) itself is a Victorian addition, its door is much older, bearing an inscription from 1576.
The chancel side windows feature Victorian stained glass depicting various New Testament authors, while the east window portrays Christ the Good Shepherd.
