THE LIFE OF ST. MARTIN
OF TOURS 316-397
This winter, when you next see someone who looks both poor
and cold, think of Martin of Tours. This monk bishop, born
in Pannonia (now Hungary) became one of the most popular saints
of the Middle Ages.
Martin’s father was a pagan officer in the Roman Army,
and Martin was intended for the army as well. But from an early
age Martin wanted to be a Christian, and felt that as a Christian
he could not serve the Roman Empire. Martin was imprisoned
for this early ‘conscientious objection’, and not
released until 357, when he was nearly 40.
One day Martin met a nearly naked beggar at Amiens. He took
off his cloak, cut it in half and gave the half to the beggar.
Soon after this, he had a dream in which Christ appeared to
him, wearing the half of cloak which Martin had given away.
Martin was the pioneer of western monasticism: he founded
the first monastery in the whole of Gaul about 360. He was
made bishop of Tours in 372 – by popular demand of both
his clergy and his people.
As bishop, Martin continued his simple life as a monk, -
and evangelist. Christianity had been largely confined to the
urban centres of population, but Martin went further, and took
Christianity to the pagani (country-men). For the next 25 years
this greatly loved bishop travelled his diocese by donkey and
by boat, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ, and helping
his people to tear down their heathen temples and sacred trees.
He was sought out for his healing prayers for the sick, and
also his defence of the faith from heretics.
Martin’s emblem in English art is often that of a goose,
whose annual migration is about late Autumn. ‘St Martin’s
Summer’ in England is a spell of fine weather that sometimes
occurs around 11 November. For a more detailed account of his life click here.
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HISTORY OF ST. MARTIN'S
CHURCH, EYNSFORD
What follows is only a summary of the long and colourful history
of the beautiful, ancient parish church of St. Martin in Eynsford.
More detail is available in 'A Short History of St. Martin's
Eynsford', which is published by the Farningham & Eynsford
Local History Society (publication no 18) and is available
from the church for £2. In 1066 … when
William of Normandy conquered the Saxons and was crowned King
of England, he rewarded all the Norman Knights who had fought
with him. He gave a knight called Unspac the lands of Eynsford.
Ralf, son of Unspac built the castle out of the local Kentish
flint and re-named himself William d'Eynsford out of respect
for his king. |
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William d’Eynsford I then
built St. Martin's church on the site of an old Saxon
church, again using the local Kentish flint strengthened
by Kentish ragstone.
The rounded arch which is now inside the entrance
porch is Norman.
The door in the arch was added in the 12th Century,
the arch here being early English in style. When Henry
II and the Barons were in conflict with Thomas a Becket
and the church in 1163, this same door was closed and
barred by William d’Eynsford III against a new
Rector appointed by Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury.
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The west tower and then the
porch were added in the 13th Century.
When the clock on the tower was repaired in 1904,
a local benefactor, Elliot Downs Till, had the words
of Robert Browning inscribed on the oak frame of the
clock; 'Grow old along with me, the best is yet to
be'.
The spire was reshingled in 1988. Local residents
including the children in the Primary School at the
time, each wrote
their
name on the underside of the shingles.
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| As the Lords of the Manor prospered
improvements were made and the walls were plastered. The
arches are still the Early English style of the 11th and
12th centuries. |
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Chapels were
added either side of the nave to make the traditional
shape of the cross. The chapel of St Katherine on the
north side is now the vestry.
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The Lady Chapel, originally dedicated to John the
Baptist, on the south side, contains the only piece
of stained glass. The lofty arch dates from 1280-90.
In the end wall there is a sedile (seat for the priest)
and fluted piscina (a basin for washing vessels after
Mass) both early English.
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Because the site of the old Saxon church was used
and because of the rising land, the top of the chancel
where the altar is situated does not face due east.
The steps into the chancel and into the Lady Chapel
follow the gradient of the slope.
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| The lectern is very simple. It
is a memorial to those men of the village who died in the
1939 - 1945 war. |
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The font is 15th
Century and of Kentish ragstone. It was originally by
the door where a font is traditionally placed but was
moved to make space for an organ console in 1967. On
the west
face are the cross and crown of thorns, on the south
face a tau cross representing baptism. On the east face
is the pall from the arms of Canterbury. The other faces
are carved with single roses.
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| There was once a gallery on the
back wall. When was removed it was replaced by the coat
of arms of King George III. |
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The church is
dedicated to St Martin of Tours. St Martin was a 3rd
Century soldier who shared his cloak with a shivering
beggar. The banner is recent and was embroidered by a
local lady.
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| The hassocks were created by members
of the church. The illustration shows the dividing of the
cloak. |
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The Lych Gate was erected in 1920 in memory of Mr
Elliot Downs Till, a local benefactor who did much
for the village.
In 1961 the churchyard wall and the lychgate were
moved back 2.5 metres to make room for a pavement.
Till’s grave can be found in the churchyard.
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| Further interesting features: |
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| The cross above the altar |
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The gilded coat of arms of King George III
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| Around the walls are numerous carved
stone heads that date from medieval times |
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The roof timber
architecture in the chancel
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