St. Thomas's Chapel

Thomas Becket, many centuries ago became England’s foremost saint and his shrine the most popular pilgrimage place in England. Many people could not travel to Canterbury and Meppershall had it’s own shrine. A papel letter dated 1291 promised to all penitents the remission of one year and forty days penance if they made the pilgrimage to the chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr.

It is no coincidence that in October 1164 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, stayed at Chicksands priory when journeying from Northampton to Kent, the chapel was built around 1175. It consist of a nave and sanctuary, with a Norman arch originally between them. This was removed when the chancel was altered in the 15th century. All doors and windows have been walled up but the mullions still remain as well as two little windows in the nave. The main entrance doorway at the north west end is in the style known as late Norman.

In 1538 the shrine at Canterbury was destroyed and Henry VIII struck St. Thomas’ name from the Services book of the church and declared him a traitor. The chapel was desecrated and became a feed store.

Restoration took place in 1976 from grants from various council and government offices but also by James Simkins, a previous owner of Chapel Farm, where the chapel stands.

Legends attached to the chapel are many, but one tells of a man called "The Jiggler" who hanged himself there and was buried in a grass triangle where the water tower now stands. It is said that if you walk around the triangle twelve times at midnight, The Jiggler will come out after you !!

Also it is said a tunnel runs from the chapel to Chicksands Priory, this however seems unlikely as the distance is two miles and would have to go under the river near Campton.