St Mary’s Church, Edwinstowe

The Robin Hood Way pays homage to the famous outlaw’s connection to this church, which was also a possible resting place for St Edwin, a 7th-century Northumbrian king

‍Highlights

• ‍‍Hiding place of St Edwin’s body

St Edwin, King of Northumbria, was killed in 633 at the Battle of Hatfield Chase. His body was supposedly hidden in the forest at Edwinstowe, 28 miles to the south. The area is certainly a good hiding place, tucked away in the depths of Sherwood Forest.

The church was locked when I visited, though it is usually open in the summer. It has no medieval shrine to the saint, since he was only hidden here for a short time. A wooden church was later built over the site of this temporary grave after St Edwin became famous as a saint. The current church building dates from the end of the 12th century. The village name means Edwin’s holy place and was recorded as early as the Domesday Book of 1086.

It is certainly true that St Edwin’s body was recovered from the battlefield and venerated, with a shrine for his head in York and one for his body at Whitby. Whether it was actually saved by his soldiers and brought to Edwinstowe is not entirely certain. A contrasting legend, recorded in a document at Whitby Abbey, says the body was miraculously rediscovered at the battle site by a priest called Trimma in the late 7th century.

That said, it is likely that the Northumbrians were keen to whisk their king’s body away, to spare it from the indignities a pagan opponent would inflict. St Edwin’s adversary was King Penda, who later dismembered St Oswald’s corpse after their battle in 642. The Venerable Bede mentions St Edwin’s head going to York but doesn’t refer to the fate of his body (History ii.20).

Edwinstowe’s church is also said to be the venue for Robin Hood’s marriage to Maid Marian. The tale of these two romantic outlaws draws visitors to the town.

Directions‍

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9QA

www.stmaryt.org

W3W: wisely.bunny.static

GPS: 53.1958N 1.0657W‍

The church is near the central crossroads in the village. It is often open in summer, but contact first if making a long trip.