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The History of St Oswald's


King Canute (r. 1017-1035) and Anglo-Saxon farmers

PRE-CONQUEST



From the exceptional number of 10th century funeral monuments found here, we know that an important graveyard existed during the Viking period. Whether a church also stood on the site we do not know as no archaeological evidence has been found.

William I (r. 1066-87) and an entry from the Domesday Book

THE NORMAN CHURCH



Lythe is first documented in the Domesday Book as being held by one Nigel. A church is not mentioned but by 1100, Nigel’s son, Robert Fossard, is recorded as making a grant of the church at Lythe to Nostell Priory near Wakefield.

Henry VII (r. 1485-1509) and a country church in the Early English style

THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH



We know that by the mediaeval period the church had been enlarged in the Early English style. In 1499 the Rector, Thomas Artas, left money in his will for a new aisle and a bell tower containing three bells. Perhaps it was during this building phase that the collection of carved stones was used as building material.

Henry VIII (r. 1509-47) and the ruins of Guisborough Priory

THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY CHURCH



At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1534, St Oswald’s was granted to the Bygods, the then owners of nearby Mulgrave Castle. It reverted to the monarch during the reign of Henry VIII who then gave it to the Archbishop.

George III (r. 1760-1820) and an alum works

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY



Lythe and the church grew in prosperity thanks to the opening of the alum works at Sandsend in about 1607. At one time 150 men were employed in the industry. By 1743 the Parish of Lythe was one of the largest in the area. A new steeple was built for the church in 1768 and a gallery was installed in 1788.

Queen Victoria (r. 1837-1901) and the restored church in 1870

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY



The church was restored in 1819 and then renovated in 1870, though much of this work destroyed many of the church’s original features.

The Reverend the 3rd Marquis of Normanby

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY



The church was most recently restored shortly before the First World War; the restoration was inspired and financed by the Reverend the 3rd Marquis of Normanby and other benefactors. The church re-opened on October 9th 1911.
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