Faiths, Beliefs and Religions
St. Mary MagdaleneSt. Mary Magdalene
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The building itself is of great architectural interest and is built on the site of an old Saxon church.
The church tower which stands high above Hucknall town was constructed in stages between the 12th and 14th century, whilst the porch was built in 1320. The rest of the building is the result of extensive restoration work which began in 1872. In 1888 the Lady Chapel was re-built, a beautiful example of nineteenth century craftsmanship. The baptistry contains a 14th century font and there are also many beautiful carvings, wall paintings and mosaics around the church.
C.E.Kemp Stained Glass
Hucknall parish church is home to one of the largest and best collections of stained glass windows by the artist Charles Eamer Kemp in England. With no less than 18 impressive examples of his work, a visit to Hucknall Church is a necessity for all lovers of stained glass.
One Kempe window is an exact copy of one commissioned by Princess Alice after the death of her children and the east window is reputed to contain a portrait of Byron.
Big Ben Caunt
Big Ben, the bell at Westminster, is named after a popular local who became famous as an unbeatable prizefighter. Ben Caunt was Champion Boxer of all England. He died in 1861 and is buried in the churchyard along with some of his children who died in a fire.
Above are photos of Ben Caunt's grave in St. Mary Magdalene church-yard.
Lord Byron and Ada Lovelace
George Gordon Byron
6th Baron Byron (1788-1824)
St. Mary Magdelene is the burial place of Lord Byron, the greatly influential poet who was renowned for his flamboyant and scandalous lifestyle. Infamous and charismatic, Byron became hugely popular during his life and his undisputed talent lives on today. Described as one of the most 'dazzling poets of the Romantic era', his passionate and inspiring masterpieces are a significant part in the history of English Literature. Byron died during 1824 in Greece and after being refused a burial place at Westminster, he was brought back to Nottinghamshire and laid to rest in his family vault along with many of his ancestors. On view are many Byron memorials including a marble slab given by the King of Greece which is laid directly above Byron, as well as a plaque inscribed with quotes from eminent men including Tennyson, upon hearing about Byron's death.
Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace
(1815-1852)
Buried in 1852 next to Byron at her request is his daughter Ada, Countess of Lovelace. She worked with Charles Babbage who created one of the world's first 'computers' and Ada is the writer of the first computer programme.
Ada's discoveries are so important that the American Department of Defence has even named a high level computer language after her.
The Churchyard and the Byron Memorial
The churchyard is also a place of beauty.
A special memorial stone and garden have been established as a tribute to Lord Byron.
These were officially unveiled on the 20th April 1996, when Lord Robin Byron in conjunction with the chairman of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Yvonne White, performed a dedication ceremony.
Recognising the fact that several thousands of people visit the church each year purely to view the tomb of the world famous poet, the garden and stone offer the ideal place to pay respects or recite a payer or poem in tranquil surroundings.
The inscribed words are from Byron's poem, "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" Canto IV, Stanza 137:
"But I have lived, and
have not lived in vain;
My mind may lose its force, my blood its fire;
And my frame perish even in conquering pain;
But there
is that within me which shall tire
Torture and Time, and breathe when I expire;
Something unearthly, which they
deem not of,
Like the remember'd tone of a mute lyre,
Shall on their soften'd spirits sink, and move
In
hearts all rocky now the late remorse of love"
The bold words are those inscribed on the memorial stone and also appears on a plaque inside the church as well as inside Westminster Abbey. The British and the International Byron Societies chose this inscription.
These are Byron's own words and are very meaningful with regards to his personal feelings. They express recognition of meaning of life, and something more to life than pain, suffering and hardship ("Torture and Time") which are a normal part of the human condition. These words offer an excellent starting point to help visitors who have come to the church with an interest in Byron and are on their own personal pilgrimages.
Being Byron's burial place, the chosen lines are very apt in that they imply that his words still breathe across his final resting place and on to the world beyond.
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