St Mary
A jewel inspired by the chapel of French kings.
About this building
For more information visit on this building visit www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-itchen-stoke
A jewel inspired by the chapel of French kings.
For more information visit on this building visit www.explorechurches.org/church/st-mary-itchen-stoke
Fifteen centuries of English history lie behind the massive Cathedral you see today. It stands at the heart of historic Winchester, once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, on the site of an early Christian church. It’s been a place of worship ever since.
The chapel was built between the years 1387 and 1395 to designs by William Wynford, with Hugh Herland responsible for the traceried wooden ceiling and Thomas of Oxford for the glazing. The chapel was consecrated for use on 17 July 1395. Its prime importance in Wykeham's scheme for the College is shown by its size.
Cited as 'a Norman cathedral in miniature' by Simon Jenkins, the fine Norman church is all that remains of the original 12th century hospital.