The parish of Lyng has a strong claim to being the birthplace of the English monarchy.

The Church of St Bartholomew is situated in East Lyng but is Lyng Parish Church. Lyng was founded in 937 AD and, at that time was known at Relegen but by the time of William the Conquerer the name had been shortened to Lenge. Two hundred years ago the village was known as Ling and now it is spelt Lyng. King Alfred was defeated by the Danes in 877 and took refuge locally on the Isle of Atheleny, which is now part of the parish of Lyng. In gratitude for his deliverance Alfred founded Athelney Abbey. It was the monks of the abbey who built Lyng Church. The abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in February 1539. The site is marked by a stone pillar known as Alfred’s Memorial.

St Bartholomew’s Church is designated as Listed Grade I. The north window of the Chancel is a memorial to Revd AHA Smith who died in 1903. It depicts King Alfred wearing his famous jewel in his crown. Alfred’s jewel was found in Newton Park in 1693 and is housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and a replica jewel was given to this Church by Mr L H Hayter in June 1947. The sixteenth century bench ends are remarkably fine and depict several curious designs. They were probably carved by the monks from Athelney. The front two are said to be the narrowest in the country. The Norman Tub Font is probably 12^th century. Pictures of Moses and Aaron are hung on the walls of the Tower; the latter is robed as described in Exodus 28, verses 1 and 2. There is a very active Bell Ringing Team. The Church has many other items of interest and is well worth a visit.

If you would like to shown around This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be happy to help you. telephone number in the Church porch.