This Church has been a centre for worship and community life for probably a thousand years. The name “Burstow” originates from the Anglo-Saxon “Burh” a fortified place or enclosure (there are remains of moats nearby) and “Stow” a religious meeting place (it may have been a pagan worship site before Christianity came).
King Alfred the Great is associated with Thunderfield Castle about a mile away, one of his fortifications after defeating the Vikings in 878AD. It is likely he held court there and may have visited this site. Alfred united England, brought peace and spread Christianity.
The Domesday Book makes no mention of Burstow except as part of the manor of Wimbledon, owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The first direct reference is in 1121 when the Archbishop gave charge of it to French Cluniac monks from Lewes. While 1121 is regarded as the original date of this Church, it was probably well established by then.
From the 12th century Burstow is linked with the history of nearby manor houses
King Alfred the Great is associated with Thunderfield Castle about a mile away, one of his fortifications after defeating the Vikings in 878AD. It is likely he held court there and may have visited this site. Alfred united England, brought peace and spread Christianity.
The Domesday Book makes no mention of Burstow except as part of the manor of Wimbledon, owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The first direct reference is in 1121 when the Archbishop gave charge of it to French Cluniac monks from Lewes. While 1121 is regarded as the original date of this Church, it was probably well established by then.
From the 12th century Burstow is linked with the history of nearby manor houses
· Burstow Court adjoining the Church Burstow Lodge and Burstow Park
· Rede Hall and Smallfield Place, the latter giving its name to Smallfield, the main community it now serves.
The links are also with local families like de Burstow, Bysshe, Cooke, Kelsey and Lloyd, many of whom have been baptised, married and buried at the Church over the years.
Burstow is often called “the parish with no village”. Originally it served just the manor houses and would also have cared for nomadic groups of charcoal burners supplying Wealden iron smelters. John de Burstow was granted by King Henry III in 1247 the privilege of having a weekly market and annual fair. The fair was held on the feast of St Michael, the 29th September, and the Church was then named St Michael’s. From that time comes the origin of the communion rail, designed to keep animals out of the holiest part of the Church - The Sanctuary.
The links are also with local families like de Burstow, Bysshe, Cooke, Kelsey and Lloyd, many of whom have been baptised, married and buried at the Church over the years.
Burstow is often called “the parish with no village”. Originally it served just the manor houses and would also have cared for nomadic groups of charcoal burners supplying Wealden iron smelters. John de Burstow was granted by King Henry III in 1247 the privilege of having a weekly market and annual fair. The fair was held on the feast of St Michael, the 29th September, and the Church was then named St Michael’s. From that time comes the origin of the communion rail, designed to keep animals out of the holiest part of the Church - The Sanctuary.
The first Rector, Thomas de Wamberge, was appointed by the Archbishop in 1294 after reclaiming Burstow from the monks when war with the French began.
Across Europe in 1348-50 millions were killed by the Black Death and it is well known that there is a burial pit in the area. It is also thought that the Church became associated with the plague and was closed for many years, dark and overgrown.
HISTORY 2