Local History: Down St. Mary/Zeal Monachorum/Thorverton, Devon

[ryan]

Hello all.
Does anybody know a good local history resource where I can learn about Down St. Mary, Zeal Monachorum or Thorverton, Devon? These small villages are quite obscure, and I have had difficulty learning about them.

Thank you, and happy easter to all!

 

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi there Ryan

I have a book written in 1909 ‘Devonshire – The Little Guides’ by S.Baring-Gould in which it says:

Down St Mary – Church is Perpendicular, but with a Norman tympanum, thought to represent Daniel in the lions den. The very fine screen is worthy of particular attention. The cresting and cornices are delicately carved. It was restored by the village carpenter.

Zeal Monachorum – Zeal comes from ‘cell’, and this was one time a monastic cell belonging to the abbey of Buckfast. The church of St Peter is perpendicular. There is an ancient charity which provided £2 per annum for the provision of bread for the poor.

Thorveton – The perpendicular church of St Thomas a Becket consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, North transept, South porch with parvise, and west tower. The porch roof has bosses, the center one (pierced to support a lamp) representing the Holy Trinity and that to the south the devil. St Martins chapel contains some stones from Traymill monastry, now a farm, where there are some remains still to be seen. Normans chapel (15th cent) has been removed to Crediton Cemetery

I know it does not tell you much, but as our ancestors were so dependant on the local church, it may give you a 'small flavour' of the villages.

Chris in 1066Land  

[ryan]

Thank you very much, I found the discriptions to be very interesting. Especially how the shapes and features of the churches actually have a hidden meaning. That, I never would've imagined. I completely agree with you in regards to the afformentioned churches. The churches were very important, and they did play a big part in the lives of the villagefolk (a handful of my ancestors), which makes the churches important to me, also.

Once again, my sincerest thanks!

[blueschord]

Your request was a long time ago, I know, but  if you're still interested, we live in Zeal Monachorum and my wife (more than me, I confess) has an interest in local history.

If you're still interested, you'd be welcome to email us at MODERATOR COMMENT: email address removed to avoid spam and other abuses. Please use personal message system to share email addresses. Thank You

Roy

[slightlyfoxed]

Try Devon Heritage.org.