St Leonard
South Cockerington, Lincolnshire
Visitors are often surprised to discover an unusually life like monument in the church to Sir Adrian Scrope who lived in nearby South Cockerington Hall in the 16th century.
The church is dedicated to St Edith of Polesworth who was sister to King Athelstan of England. She married Viking King Sihtric at York. When he died she took monastic vows, retiring to the Benedictine convent at Polesworth, Warwickshire where she became abbess.
St Edith’s is constructed in Spilsby sandstone, with some ironstone and limestone, and dates from the 13th century, with a mid 14th century tower. Much of the woodwork, doors and ceilings date from the 15th and 16th centuries but the angels in the nave are original. These are not the cuddly angels of the Baroque or the effete angels of the Pre-Raphaelites, but the dragon fighting angels of Revelation 12:7-9, and they appear to have come well equipped.
Lower down, traces of red painted wall decoration remain and the stonework of the arcades and doorways carries numerous informal inscriptions, including apotropaic marks invoking the Virgin Mary, as protection against Satan’s various colleagues.
The oldest of St Edith’s three bells dates from the 14th century and is dedicated to St Catherine: it carries the words Sum Rosa Pulsata Mundi Caterina Vocata; 'When rung, I am the Rose of the World, called Catherine'.
