What if I told you that the unassuming church behind me, St Mary, Dagenham, played a role in the upbringing of a king? It’s true! During the tumultuous 15th century, St Mary’s Abbey, now just a whisper of its former glory, became a sanctuary for two young boys: Edmund and Jasper Tudor. You see, their father, Owen Tudor, had secretly married Catherine of Valois, the widow of King Henry V. This scandalous union, kept hidden to protect the young King Henry VI, produced Edmund and Jasper. To ensure their safety and provide a proper upbringing, Henry VI’s council entrusted them to Abbess Katherine de la Pole at St Mary’s Abbey. Imagine those young boys, oblivious to their royal lineage, finding solace and education within these now crumbling walls. The abbey, even in its financially strained state after the devastating floods of 1377, provided them with a stable and nurturing environment. Little did anyone know that Edmund, once under the care of St Mary’s Abbey, would later father King Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor dynasty. It’s a reminder that even in the quiet corners of history, remarkable tales unfold, shaping the destiny of nations and leaving an indelible mark on places like St Mary, Dagenham.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service