North Marston, St Mary's Church

North Marston, St Mary's Church

The parish church of North Marston, Buckinghamshire, probably owes its large size and fine appearance to a 14th-century rector. John Schorne (or Shorne) was rector at North Marston from 1290-1314. Schorne was said to have discovered the nearby holy well that bears his name when he struck his staff into the ground and a spring of water gushed forth.

A Pilgrim's Destination

One story about Schorne says that he managed to charm the devil. More to the point, when Schorne died, miracles were reported at his tomb, and North Marston became a popular destination for medieval pilgrims, who also came to drink from the well.

Due to the popularity of Schorne's tomb, the Dean and Canons of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle transported the entire shine to Windsor in 1478. The original location of Schorne's shrine may have been at the eastern end of the south aisle. A niche over the east window may have held a statue of Schorne.

Memorial Brasses

There is a pair of memorial brasses in the chancel. One is to Richard Saunders (d. 1602) and the other to Elizabeth, his wife (d. 1615). Another brass to John Ingram (d. 1459) stands in the nave. A peculiar tablet in the chancel commemorates John Virgin (d. 1694). The Virgin tablet shows a hand pointing to the actual burial location, with the inscription, 'He lise [lies] just doune [down] there.'

Visitors can still find the holy well discovered by Schorne. The well is now protected by a modern wellhead.