Church Micro 1443 St Martin's, Ruislip Traditional Cache
Brian~!: Went to replace the cache at long last today, and discovered the foliage has been cut right back, exposing the hiding place. Given the litter and high probability of muggling now present, I've decided to archive this one.
Church Micro 1443 St Martin's, Ruislip
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A church micro placed just outside the grounds of St Martin's Church in Ruislip, Middlesex. Designed to be a straight forward 1/1 easily accessible find for all.
The Norman lord, Ernulf de Hesdin, granted the manor of Ruislip and probably its church to the Benedictine monks of Le Bec-Hellouin in 1087. Officials administering this alien priory’s English lands had a small chapel at Manor Farm. Bec’s prestige and a population increase apparently caused the church’s enlargement, but later heavy taxation of alien priories brought about disrepair and confiscation. By 1422, John, Duke of Bedford granted the church’s income to the Dean and Canons of Windsor, who continue to appoint the vicar.
Medieval features survive, notably wall-paintings, two piscinas, a priest’s door and two wooden chests. 15C expansion included a north vestry (demolished) and a tower with later bell-chamber currently housing eight bells and a 19C clock. There are 15C and 16C references to chantry priests. Furnishings include monumental brasses, linenfold panelling, 17C pulpit and livery cupboard, wall monuments and funeral hatchments. The stained glass windows are of 19C and 20C.
Around 1870, Sir Gilbert Scott and Ewan Christian restored the church. A west porch and two lych-gates were added, followed by a 20C vestry, sacristy and hall. The larger former parish is now sub-divided.
The cache itself is a small black keysafe, containing a log book only. It's not suitable for coins or trackables. This cache meets the GAGB Urban Placement Guidelines. It is not located in the graveyard or on church grounds.
If anybody would like to expand this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fznyy, terl, fgvpxvat bhg bs gur tebhaq - lrg abg n gbzofgbar.