Parish church [7]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 18 May 2023

Part of the churchyard. The Anglican parish church of St Mary Major was built in the 13th century and was originally much larger. As the fortunes of Ilchester declined in the 15th century, the side aisles were walled up to make the church smaller. During restoration in 1880, when the new south aisle was added, several pillars were uncovered. Constructed of squared lias stone with Ham stone ashlar and dressings under Welsh slate roofs. There is a fine octagonal timber pulpit which could be very late 16th century, The Early English font was rescued from the churchyard circa 1920. The church is the major of 2 surviving churches in the town, which had at least 8 in medieval times. Listed, grade II*, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1345741 Ilchester is a village in Somerset, situated astride the River Yeo or Ivel, some 4½ miles northwest of Yeovil and about 18 miles east of Taunton. Originally an important Roman town, Lindinis, on the Fosse Way and later a market town, in the medieval period Ilchester was the county town. It declined in size and importance and the last markets were held in 1833. The name was recorded in the Domesday Book as Givelcestre, meaning "Roman fort on the River Yeo".

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