St Dubricius Church | Hentland

HENTLAND
Dedication: St Dubricius
OS Grid Reference: SO 543 264
Road Reference: Off A49

Information:

Hentland church is one of the oldest in the deanery of Ross and Archenfield; the latter name being that of the Anglo-Saxon British kingdom of roughly the same area. Although the main part of the church dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, part of the north wall is dated around 1050, the time of Edward the Confessor. There is strong evidence that Hentland was a thriving community as far back as the 4th and 5th centuries AD, consisting of settlers who were in all probability drawn to the site by the presence of a spring which runs clear to this day below the north east corner of the churchyard.

The name Hentland is a modern version of the welsh Hen-Llan meaning “The Old Church”.

It is dedicated to St. Dubricius, a legendary but influential figure of that era, who is depicted in the window in the north wall. The window itself is a memorial to the Reverend William Poole who was vicar of the parish from 1854 to 1902. Dubricius is the Latin version of the saint’s name, known as Devereux in Norman French and Dyfrig in Welsh. Hentland was undoubtedly linked to the monastery founded by Dyfrig at nearby Llanfrother (Welsh Llanfrawther-The Church of the Brethren).

Thus, it is possible that people have been worshipping on this site for1600 years or more; since the very birth of Christianity in these islands.

The Organ in the chancel is by JW Walker. It was given in 1869 by The Reverend Thomas Symonds of Pengethley. The mansion house of Pengethley, now a hotel, which stands above the church to the south west, is actually in the parish of Sellack, so it seems likely that Thomas Symonds and William Poole were friends. Symonds died in 1869, so we do not know if he ever heard the organ played. The East window is an example of the Herefordshire type of three stepped lancet lights. The figures are thought to have been inserted in the 15th century by Richard of Rotherham, Chancellor of the diocese.

The decorative scheme in the chancel now much faded and fragmented was designed by John Pollard Seddon (1827-1906) as part of the restoration programme of 1853, while he was diocesan architect at Llandaff.
The plaster and colour decoration is a rare if not unique early example of polychromatic decoration by this well known 19th century architect. In certain places where the plaster has eroded, there are traces of earlier, perhaps medieval, painting.

In the North aisle is an unusual modern (1920) wheeled funeral bier and a 17th century chest with its original lock plate. Both were recently restored by the craft department of John Kyrle School in Ross.

The intricately carved chair in the sanctuary is Jacobean & the other chair dates from 18th century.

The pulpit is 17th century although restored.

The screen is mainly 19th century & the poppy heads on the choir stalls are early 16th century.

The tower remains nearly as it was, with its one medieval bell; the remaining three being cast around 1628. The present bell housing dates from the 17th century. Unfortunately, the tower needs strengthening before the bells can be rung and this is a major work to be done when finance is available.

The octagonal font is late 15th or early 16th century. It is decorated with two primitive heads, fleurons & rosettes. In the sanctuary are a stone credence table and a piscina. In the recess behind the stove are the remains of an 18th century sepulchral monument.

The churchyard has many interesting old gravestones & monuments dating from the 18th century, with a few earlier sepulchral inscriptions inside the church on the floor of the aisles.

The most interesting is the ancient churchyard cross to the left of the path leading to the church. It dates from the 14th century but it was severely damaged in the religious arguments of the 17th century. Restored afterwards, the faces are now hardly recognisable but they are: The crucifix with Saints Mary & John (West); The Madonna & Child (East); A cleric, probably St. Teilo (South); A bishop with a mitre, St.Dubricius (North).

Whilst not unique, it is unusual, in The British Isles, to find these ancient crosses with their effigies in their original position. (Cromwell’s puritans dealt with them severely).

The yew trees in the churchyard are very old. The one by the gate into the lane was planted on Shrove Tuesday, 13th February 1615, according to the parish registers.

On Palm Sunday each year the ancient custom of the blessing and distribution of Pax Cakes takes place. Lady Lucas Scudamore donated 5 shillings per year for the cakes and cider to be given to the parishioners of Hentland, Sellack & Kings Caple with the blessing of Peace and Good Neighbourhood.