Melbourne - St Michael with St Mary

There was a church here when the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086. The current building dates from taround 1120. Who had the church built was is a matter of conjecture, and why so large and imposing a church was built in Melbourne is a mystery. One theory suggests the first Bishop of Carlisle built it.

When King Henry I founded the diocese in 1133, he presented the church at Melbourne to Aethelwulf, its first bishop. Since Carlisle was not a safe place to be, it has been assumed that Aethelwulf sought safety here in his southern base when Carlisle was captured by the Scots in 1136, and that he built himself a church worthy of his status. The church does indeed have the feel of a 'miniature cathedral' about it.

This theory has been questioned, as doubt has been cast on the assumption that Aethelwulf came south, since there is evidence that he simply remained in Carlisle acted as a Scottish bishop.

The churches west end is massive, with its fine door moulding and two low towers. The east end of the church originally had a triple apse. This was a feature of early Norman churches, and traces of these can be seen both inside and outside.