Fleet, Lincolnshire
The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalen
The fenland parish of Fleet sits in the south Lincolnshire fens just off the busy A17 trunk road and about 8 miles east of the market town of Spalding. At nearly 12 miles long but only 2 miles at it's widest, the settlement filtered northwards as land was reclaimed from this former tidal inlet. Once surpassing Spalding in population and wealth, Fleet was the focus of Templar activities in medieval times with a yearly fair and vigorous market for centuries.
The Grade I listed Anglican church, dating from the late 12th century, is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. The 120 feet church tower with spire is like many medieval fenland churches and is detached from the nave by 15 feet. The exterior is mainly Decorated in style, with Early English arcades and a Perpendicular west window. According to Cox (1916), the church was restored in 1860, when the chancel was rebuilt, although the canopied sedilia was retained.
Fleet, Lincolnshire
The Parish Church of St Mary Magdalen
The fenland parish of Fleet sits in the south Lincolnshire fens just off the busy A17 trunk road and about 8 miles east of the market town of Spalding. At nearly 12 miles long but only 2 miles at it's widest, the settlement filtered northwards as land was reclaimed from this former tidal inlet. Once surpassing Spalding in population and wealth, Fleet was the focus of Templar activities in medieval times with a yearly fair and vigorous market for centuries.
The Grade I listed Anglican church, dating from the late 12th century, is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. The 120 feet church tower with spire is like many medieval fenland churches and is detached from the nave by 15 feet. The exterior is mainly Decorated in style, with Early English arcades and a Perpendicular west window. According to Cox (1916), the church was restored in 1860, when the chancel was rebuilt, although the canopied sedilia was retained.