England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
York St Margaret

The Parish

The parish of St Margaret York lies in the southeastern quarter of the city of York, east of the River Foss and almost on the edges of the medieval city. York is an ancient city probably predating Roman times, albeit they made it their base in the north (Eboracum) which enabled it to become one of the most notable cities of England and one the largest in the north prior to the Industrial Revolution. York is located at the crossing of the Ouse where the A64 (Leeds to Scarborough road) meets the A19 (Selby to Thirsk) and marks also the meeting point of many significant Roman routes too. York's long history is too complex to document here and others have made a better job than I would do so you are recommended to research widely. Briefly York became capital of the north of England, a major market centre for the produce of Yorkshire and a principal administrative centre both religious and secular. Today York has been somewhat overshadowed by Yorkshire's industrial towns but remains a vibrant commercial centre and a notable visitor attraction for its preserved history. Mediaeval York was divided into 23 tiny parishes and St Margaret, virtually a suburb, was the 9th largest in terms of population, it would have supported just over 1,000 parishioners. The parish covered an area of no more than a few blocks either side of the southeastern thoroughfare of Walmgate. The Ouse drains through the city and reaches the North Sea through the Humber Estuary. St Margaret parish is sited at around 8 metres above sea level with most of the medieval centre lying at or below 10 metres. In Domesday times York was a major centre and taxed on a value of 103 geld units, the city was held chiefly by the King, himself, with small portions held by the Archbishop of York and one Richard son of Herfast. St Margaret's parish was not specifically separately assessed.

The Church

St Margaret's church stands a few yards away from the thoroughfare of Walmgate at the junction of Navigation Road with Percy's Lane, the church was declared redundant for worship and is nowadays the home of the National Centre for Early Music. Whilst a church was mentioned in documents dating back to 1180 its only Norman Romanesque feature is the porch, actually moved here in the late 17th century from St Nicholas' Hospital. The remaining fabric of the church dates from the 14th century and later. The 14th century work includes the eastern window of the chancel in Decorated style whilst the four-bay arcade shows Perpendicular style piers. During the 17th century, besides resiting the porch the church acquired its contrasting brick western tower. Extensive restoration amounting almost to a rebuild occurred in the 1850s to arrive at today's building. Given its present status as a private venue access is limited and the enclosed churchyard has many trees tightly engulfing the premises making for something of a challenge for the photographer.