Week St.Mary - The Blessed Virgin Mary - Grade I Listed - 13th, 14th & 15th Century. The word "Week", "Wyke" or "Wick" which is found in so many English place names is an Anglo Saxon form of the Latin "vicus" meaning dairy farm or village, so that Week St. Mary was in the old days know as St. Mary Week to distinguish it from other villages, like Pancrasweek a few miles away. It seems to have been of some importance for centuries: just west of the village is a flat topped circular hill know as Ashbury - all round it can be seen earthworks which surrounded a prehistoric fort. Later the Normans settled in what was then hostile country. On the west side of the churchyard is the site of a Norman fortress. In the mid 15th century the village prospered under the patronage of Thomasine Bonaventure who founded a free grammar school and chantry in 1508. For many centuries the village was a significant market - which only disappeared in the last twenty years. All around the village are examples of past prosperity and the marks of a vigorous present day community. Information leaflets about Church Services and contact numbers are available from Bude Tourist Information Centre - Tel: + 44 (0)1288 354240 - Fax: + 44 (0)1288 355769 or Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre - Tel/Fax: + 44 (0)1409 254185 or Boscastle Tourist Information Centre - Tel: + 44 (0)1840 250010 | Menu |