Parish Roots of St Mary Magdalene

Huthwaite shares its history tied with and inside wider parish town borders of Sutton-in-Ashfield.   Smallest division beneath the crowns Manor in Mansfield, held since time of King Edward the Confessor.   The Domesday book recorded this whole manor when counting two churches with priests.   A fact leading town historians trusting one was sited at Sutton, perhaps even earlier in referring here often to subjective works by one former leading authority, Mr GG Bonsor.

Constructions of Anglo-Saxon or Viking origins were usually made from wood. Natural decay leaves little evidence, but a few internal timbers exposed during renovations have been dated around year 1115. Archaeologists do now agree many of the earliest Norman built stone churches often replaced previously sited christian halls. Presumably they also favoured already prominently placed meetings begun from the darkest ages.

In Midlands of Nottinghamshires far west border, these forested lands remained under successive ownership of English kings.   Heavy protection was afforded their royal parks, although privilege meant being untaxed by the crown.   The 13th century Testa de Neville recording land fees revealed these facts, noting Huthwaite lay within the whole villa of Sutton-in-Ashfield under the local lordship of Jordan de Sutton.   His rent survey of 1295 listed tenants, suggesting a total population could be estimated at 400 residents. Spread across this ancient parish division the church offered their main central focus.

This stone building stood today was from 1179 commenced by Walter de Sutton.   Following his fathers death, Gerald regardingly presented it to Thurgaton Priory in 1189.   Links to name de Sutton remained with this church into 1391, when John financed construction of its tower. However, as Oliver was made a Bishop this led the families move into Lincoln around 1288.

A priest whose housing offered the naming for Priestsic Road gave Monastic servicing until Henry VIII's 1538 dissolution.   Bought by the kings commissioners, and then removed from its Cathedral of Lincoln, this church and its properties became owned by James Hardwick.   Tithes conveyed at the Reformation record it passed through some notable owners, from Bess of Hardwick Hall to the Cavendish family, through Earls and later Dukes of Devonshire before the Bentincks.   Its lands and properties like most others in this area were handed by a Forest Enclosure Act to the Duke of Portland.   Presented with that award the titling recognised our lands major owner who, gaining full rights as Lord of the Manor held Welbeck Abbey.

A fuller history behind this Sutton church, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene in a Southwell diocese, can reveal several major structural changes. Renovations did repair fire damage, plus a lightning strike blasting blocks from its tower.   Modifications mainly aimed at improving services, adding seating pews and much later an organ, after accommodating increasing congregations. Parishioner numbers rapidly rose through the industrial years of 1800. Allocating a separate curate in 1826 for servicing its north Hucknall Huthwaite Aisle indicates more Huthwaite villagers began demanding individual facilities.

Recognising this ancient Anglican church simply sets greater historic background before revealing how Parish clergy held greater influence enforcing local laws. Through conflicting royal interests, the titled manor Lord did add self concern directly shaping further developments. Eventually these independently build Hucknall-under-Huthwaite, dutifully recording legal obligations between parish and manor rule.

Produced 01 Aug 2002 - Revised 23 Jul 2007