St. Nicholas Church, Nottingham

There are only three medieval churches left in Nottingham: Saint Peter's, Saint Mary's, and Saint Nicholas (known locally as Saint Nic's). In each case, while the foundation may be pre-Norman, the rest of the building is relatively recent, and still in use. The original church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, built on the site of the present temple in the 11th or 12th century, is said to be the place where Robin Hood would come to pray regularly as well as to hide.

From the very earliest ballads about Robin Hood we learn that he, although declared bishops and archbishops to be his main enemies, was a keen worshiper of Virgin Mary. Saint Nicholas Church stands in what was the predominantly Saxon part of Nottingham town after the uprisings that followed the Norman Conquest. If Robin Hood was indeed linked in some way to those who lost lands and property to the Norman lords, he could have well felt at home here amongst the congregation.

What time could not accomplish, war did in a flash in 1643. During the English Civil War, Royalist troops ensconced in the church tower directed a bombardment on units of the Parliament Army holding Nottingham Castle. After the engagement, Colonel John Hutchinson, who was in command of the Castle, ordered the church completely destroyed.

The current building dates from 1671-1678. The exterior of the replacement Saint Nicholas is plain and devoid of much ornament. The tower is square, in three stages. The middle stage has a clock on two sides, facing front and back. Above the clocks are tall arched widows. The edges of the tower roof are crenelated. There are two bells in the tower.

The church is cruciform; aisles and galleries were added in the 18th century. Parts of the galleries still remain after renovations in the 19th century. The four-centered chancel arch is complemented by the paneling of the ceiling. Over the two northern doors in the rood loft are blazons and escutcheons of the royal arms.