Below is the chancel of St Margaret's. The East window is 15th century and contains genuine fragments - some very large and detailed - of fifteenth century glass. Note the paraffin lamp on the right - the church has no electricity. An evening service here by candlelight seems to take you back centuries. The church itself predates Oxford university, as the door, with its zig-zag and dog tooth decoration, is late Norman of the 12th century, and the main structure is considered to be 13th century. The windows are estimated to be of the 14th and 15th centuries. The site was allegedly the refuge of St Frideswide, who took refuge here from a nobleman pursuing her in about 680 AD. There is a holy well in the church yard which is said to contain fluid which can cure blindness, and this well was even visited by Henry VIII.
		A view of the west of St Margaret's. Note the font from Norman times at least, and the obscured coat of arms on the north wall. These are the arms of Queen Anne (1702-1714). The roof rafters apparently date from the fourteenth century at the latest. Very quaint, but there's a magic here too - indefinable yet powerful. Often when I lived in Oxford I would take a walk over Port Meadow to visit this forgotten chapel and would just sit, think and pray - it never fails. This church is never mentioned anywhere in any guide books, which is maybe a good thing, as its heart and soul resides in being undiscovered and secret. Places like this are sorely needed in our frenetic 21st century world, and may God protect them.
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