St Magnus the Martyr: Difference between revisions

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| location = London, {{postcode|EC|3}}

'''St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge''', is a [[Church of England]] [[church (building)|church]] and [[parish]] within the [[City of London]]. The church, which is located in [[Thames Street (London)|Lower Thames Street]] near [[Monument to the Great Fire of London|The Monument]] to the [[Great Fire of London]],<ref>See [http://www.themonument.info/history/st_magnus_the_martyr.asp The Monument] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722000924/http://www.themonument.info/history/st_magnus_the_martyr.asp |date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> is part of the [[Diocese of London]] and under the pastoral care of the [[Bishop of Fulham]].<ref>[http://www.sswsh.com/diocese-detail.php?id=133 Bishop of Fulham]</ref> It is a Grade I [[listed building]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1064601 |access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> The rector uses the title "Cardinal Rector" and, since the abolition of the [[College of Minor Canons#Cardinals|College of Minor Canons]] of St Paul's Cathedral in 2016, is the only cleric in the Church of England to use the title Cardinal''cardinal''.<ref>See http://www.stmagnusmartyr.org.uk/</ref>

The originalprincipal churchargument pre-datedagainst thean canonisationassociation of Stwith Magnus of Orkney is that the original church pre-dated his sanctification by around a century, and was also probably constructed before the cult of [[Olaf II of Norway|St Olaf]], which did not become established in London until the 1050s.<ref>''The Cult of S. Olave in the British Isles'', B. Dickens in Saga-Book XII of the Viking Society, 12 (1945) pp 53-8053–80.</ref> The dedication of the church to St Magnus (as for the four City churches dedicated to [[Botwulf of Thorney|St Botolph]]) at least partly reflected interest in particular saints' relics during the 11th century. There was a cultuscult toof this earlier (unidentified) St Magnus before the Norman Conquest;: several English monastic houses claimed to have relics of the saint;<ref>These included Westminster, Peterborough and Salisbury and a relic list of Exeter Cathedral notes: "Hec sunt nomina sanctarum reliquaram que habentur in ecclesia sacte Marie et sancti Petri Exonie ecclesie, quarum maximam partem gloriossimus rex Aedelstanus eiusdem ecclesie primus fundator ibidem contulit.... De reliquiis sancti Magni episcopis et martiris."''Anglo-Saxon Exeter: A Tenth-century Cultural History'', Patrick W. Conner (1993).</ref> [[Edgar the Peaceful|King Edgar]] gave one to [[Westminster Abbey]];<ref>[[John Flete]]'s manuscript history of the Abbey, written in the 1440s, records: "rex Edgarus dedit lapides quibus sanctus Stephanus lapidatus fuit, et quaedam ossa cum sanguine ejusdem ; tibiam unam cum costis et aliis minutis ossibus sanctorum Innocentium ; item duas costas et terram infectam sanguine sancti Laurentii, tres costas sancti Hippolyti, dentes sanctorum Magni et Symphoriani, cum cruce sancti Felicis item reliquias sancti Georgii et Sebastiani cum aliis" [https://archive.org/details/historyofwestmin00flet/page/70/mode/1up?q=magni The history of Westminster Abbey]</ref> and the relic collection of [[Peterborough Abbey]] included the hand of St Magnus the Martyr as well as the famous arm of [[Oswald of Northumbria|St Oswald]].<ref>''The Chronicle of Hugh Candidus, a Monk of Peterborough'', ed. W.T. Mellows (1949). This relic may have been collected by Abbot Ælfsige of Peterborough, who accompanied Queen Emma into temporary exile in 1013. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records in that year that "the lady [Queen Emma of Normandy] went afterwards over sea to her brother Richard, accompanied by Elfsy [Ælfsige/Elsinus/Elsige] Abbot of Peterborough. The king sent Bishop Elfun with the ethelings, Edward and Alfred, over sea; that he might instruct them. Then went the king from the fleet, about midwinter, to the Isle of Wight; and there abode for the season; after which he went over sea to Richard, with whom he abode till the time when Sweyne died. Whilst the lady was with her brother beyond sea, Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough, who was there with her, went to the abbey called Boneval, where St. Florentine's body lay; and there found a miserable place, a miserable abbot, and miserable monks: because they had been plundered. There he bought of the abbot, and of the monks, the body of St. Florentine, all but the head, for 500 pounds; which, on his return home, he offered to Christ and St. Peter."</ref> The feast of St Magnus the Martyr, celebrated on 19 August, appears in most liturgical calendars from the [[Gelasian Sacramentary]] in the eighth century<ref>See propers for "XIV Kal. Septembres in natali sancti Magni" [https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b60000317/f215.item.zoom Gelasian Sacramentary]. The [[Old English Martyrology]], compiled in the second half of the 9th century, records that "on the nineteenth day of the month [August] is the feast of the martyr St Magnus, whose mass can be found in the older massbooks" ''The Old English Martyrology: Edition, Translation and Commentary'', ed. Christine Rauer, 2013. It has been suggested – see ''Biblical Commentaries from the Canterbury School of Theodore and Hadrian'', ed. Bernhard Bischoff and Michael Lapidge (1994) – that the "older mass books" may refer more to those of Campanian origin, perhaps brought to England by [[Adrian of Canterbury]] that to the Gelasian Sacramentary.</ref> and the missal of [[Robert of Jumièges]] in the 11th century<ref>"The 'Missal'The ‘Missal’ of Robert of Jumièges and manuscript illumination at Peterborough c. 1015–1035''", T. A. Heslop in ''Peterborough and the Soke'' (2019). See [https://archive.org/details/missalrobertjum00wilsgoog/page/n283/mode/2up Missal]</ref> to the 16th century.<ref>See the [https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMINBig.ASP?size=big&IllID=30502 Westminster Psalter (c.1200)], the [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t1kh0kp3z&view=1up&seq=346&q1=310 Sarum Missal], [https://books.google.com/books?id=jAMNAAAAIAAJ Westminster Use], [https://archive.org/details/herefordbreviary01cath/page/n23/mode/2up?q=magni Hereford breviary], [https://archive.org/details/missalofstaugust00cath/page/105/mode/1up?q=magno+martyre+ The missal of St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury], [https://archive.org/details/ancientkalendar45oxfouoft/page/52/mode/2up?q=magni University of Oxford], [https://usuarium.elte.hu/calendarlabel/859/view Database for the Study of Latin Liturgical History] and [http://www.cokldb.org/cgi-bin/saint_detail.pl?saint_id=439 Corpus Kalendarium]</ref>

It The original dedication of the church mayis therefore, as noted by [[Richard Thomson (antiquarian)|Richard Thomson]] in his ''Chronicles of London Bridge'' of 1827,<ref>"I do not find the Patron Saint of this edifice is at all mentioned by Alban Butler; nor are all writers perfectly agreed as to who he actually was; seeinglikely that there were two saints named Magnus, whose festival day was kept on the 19thoriginal of August. Onededication of these was Bishop of Anagnia in Italy, and was martyred in the persecution raised by the Emperors Decius and Valerian, about the middle of the third century after the Birth of Christ. The other St Magnuschurch was the person to whom Newcourt supposed this Church was dedicated, though he erroneously calls his feast August the 18th. He is named, by way of distinction, St [[Magnus the Martyr of CaesareaAnagni]], ina Cappadocia,putative becausesecond-century he suffered at that Citybishop, under Alexander the Governor,martyred in the timereign of the Emperor Aurelian, AD 276.... An extended history of these famous men you will find in that wonderful work the ''Acta Sanctorum'', which I have before quoted ... though there is a much longer account of the Swedish St Magnus, the Abbot[[Decius]], whose festivalfeast iswas Septembercelebrated theon 6th,19 and whom I pray you never to mistake for the Martyr of London BridgeAugust."</ref> have been to St [[Magnus of Anagni]] (Sancti Magni martiris et episcopi Tranensis),<ref>See: [https://archive.org/details/actasanctorum37unse/page/n738/mode/1up Acta Sanctorum]. The feasts of St [[Magnus of Cuneo]], a soldier of the Theban Legion, and the seventh century bishop St [[Magnus of Avignon]] also fall on 19 August, but the latter was a confessor rather than a martyr and the former does not generally appear in martyrologies. Bede's Martyrology notes for 19 August "XIV. Kal. Natale S. Magni, seu S. Andreæ, cum sociis suis duobus millibus quingentis nonaginta septem. Præfigunt A. T. L. In Alexandria: ast A. et T. sic distinguunt. In Alexandria natale S. Magni et S. Andreæ martyrum. Eodem die natale S. Mariani cum duobus millibus quingentis nonaginta septem. Deinde addunt: Romæ natale S. Magni martyris." [https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/giles-the-complete-works-of-venerable-bede-vol-4-historical-tracts-english-and-latin Bede]. Sabine Baring-Gould's [[The Lives of the Saints (Baring-Gould)|'Lives of the Saints']] concluded that: "It can hardly be doubted that S. Magnus, Bishop and Martyr, has been manufactured by the blunders of martyrologists. [[Andrew Stratelates|S. Andrew the Tribune]] is commemorated in ... Latin [as] "Magnus Martyr". In the early Latin lists, on 19 August, was accordingly inscribed "Andreas Tribunus, Magnus Martyr". This was read as if there were two Saints, Andrew the Tribune, and Magnus the Martyr". [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/The_Lives_of_the_Saints_Volume_9.pdf Lives of the Saints]. See also ''The martiloge in Englysshe after the vse of the chirche of Salisbury and as it is redde in Syon with addicyons'', ed. F. Proctor and E.S. Dewick, printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1526.</ref> aThis putativeidentification third-centurywas bishopproposed whoby was[[Richard martyredThomson (antiquarian)|Richard Thomson]] in thehis reign''Chronicles of London Bridge'' of 1827,<ref>"I do not find the EmperorPatron [[Decius]]Saint andof whosethis relicsedifice wereis translatedat fromall Fondimentioned toby VeroliAlban andButler; thennor are all writers perfectly agreed as to Anangniwho inhe actually was; seeing that there were two saints named Magnus, whose festival day was kept on the 9th19th century.<ref>Seeof [https://archiveAugust.org/details/actasanctorum37unse/page/n745/mode/1up Translatio],One [[Abbeyof these was Bishop of SanAnagnia Magno,in Fondi]]Italy, [[Anagniand Cathedral]],was [[Santimartyred Michelein ethe Magno,persecution Rome]]raised by the Emperors Decius and [https://www.frisiacoasttrail.com/post/2019/09/23/Magnus-Choice-The-Origins-Valerian, about the middle of- the-Frisian-Freedom Frisianthird Freedom].century after Vaticanthe CodexBirth Sof Christ. PietroThe F.13other includesSt aMagnus Sacramentarywas andthe Kalendarperson usedto atwhom AnagniNewcourt Cathedralsupposed this Church was dedicated, withthough thehe erroneously calls his feast August the 18th. He is named, by way of distinction, St Magnus rubricatedthe andMartyr of Caesarea, in Cappadocia, because he suffered at that City, under Alexander the additionGovernor, in the time of athe feastEmperor Aurelian, AD 276.... An extended history of these famous men you will find in that wonderful work the ''Inventio corporis sanctiActa MagniSanctorum'', onwhich 20I April.have before quoted [https://digi.vatlib.it/view/MSS_Arch.Cap.S.Pietro.F.13 Sthough there is a much longer account of the Swedish St Magnus, the Abbot, whose festival is September the 6th, and whom I pray you never to mistake for the Martyr of London Bridge.Pietro.F.13]"</ref> and has more recently been argued at greater length by Matthew Payne and Michael Cooper.<ref name="p&c"/> It is possible that the dedication might also have beenwas influenced by [[Cnut the Great#Journey to Rome|Cnut]]'s journey to Rome in 1027 or by the translation to Canterbury in 1023 of the remains of [[Ælfheah of Canterbury|Alphage]], Bishop and Martyr, from [[St Paul's Cathedral]], where a cult had rapidly developed at his tomb.<ref>''The cult of St Thomas in the liturgy and iconography of Christ Church, Canterbury'', M-P Gelin in ''The Cult of St Thomas Becket in the Plantagenet World, C.1170-c.1170–c.1220'' (2016)</ref><ref name="p&c"/>

The feast on 19 August was still celebrated in the 16th century. It was included in an "Almanack" attached to [[Miles Coverdale]]'s translation of the Bible<ref>''The newe testament both Latine and Englyshe ech correspondent to the other after the vulgare texte, communely called S. Ieroms. Faythfully translated by Myles Couerdale. Anno. M.CCCCC.XXXVIII'' [http://tei.it.ox.ac.uk/tcp/Texts-HTML/free/A16/A16017.html Coverdale] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418064450/http://tei.it.ox.ac.uk/tcp/Texts-HTML/free/A16/A16017.html |date=18 April 2021 }}</ref> and in the ''Preces Privitae'' of 1564 (authorised by Elizabeth I for private devotion), but was excluded from the Book of Common Prayer.<ref>"The Book of Common Prayer adopted the Sarum temporal calendar almost in full (keeping all of the feasts of Christ and that of the Purification of the Virgin), but only the barest bones of its sanctoral calendar, namely the Biblical saints. Only a few services for the Biblical saints remained in the Book of Common Prayer". ''`Nothing for the godly to fear': Use of Sarum Influence on the 1549 Book of Common Prayer'', K.A. Krick-Pridgeon, Durham PhD thesis (2018)</ref> It was also omitted from the [[Tridentine calendar#August|Tridentine calendar]], falling as it did within the [[Octave (liturgy)#Modern history|Octave of the Assumption]], but has remained in local calendars.<ref>Such as that of the Diocese of Anagni–Alatri</ref> St [[Magnus of Anagni]] also remains in the ''[[Roman Martyrology|Martyrologium Romanum]]''.<ref>Latest edition 2001: "Anagniae sancti Magni Episcopi et Martyris qui in perecutione Decii necatus est".</ref>

See [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000086172677&view=1up&seq=355&q1=1335 Charter].</ref> Although this charter is generally accepted to be a later forgery by [[Osbert of Clare]], Prior of Westminster Abbey,<ref>BL Cotton Charter VI 3; see ''Westminster Abbey Charters, 1066 – c.1214'', London Record Society 25, Mason, E. (ed.), pp. 25–40: 1988; [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000086172677&view=1up&seq=355&q1=1335 Text of Charter] and ''London: the City Churches'' Pevsner, N and Bradley, S: New Haven, Yale, 1998 {{ISBN|0-300-09655-0}}</ref> as is a charter of confirmation in 1108–16,<ref>"''Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066–1154'', Vol. 2, No. 1177: Oxford, 1913. See [https://archive.org/details/regestaregumangl02grea/page/140/mode/2up Charter]. The text is as follows: "[1108–16, Apr.] London Precept by Henry I to G. Bp. of London and the Archdeacon and the whole chapter of St Paul's: That the Abbot and church of St Peter's, Westminster, have and hold the land which William I gave them; namely, the wooden chapel of St Margaret in Eastcheap, with the parish (parochia) and land and houses thereto pertaining; and half the stone chapel of St Magnus the Martyr with the whole parish; and the church of St Lawrence with appurtenances; and the church of St James on the river bank; as they held in the time of William I and of the King himself, and of Bps. Hugh and Maurice. Witnesses: Queen Matilda; R. Basset." As explained in ''Fake? The art of deception" '' by Mark Jones (ed.), British Museum, 1990, "possession of royal writs constituting written evidence of the conferment of favourable rights and immunities was of such importance to great early monastic foundations like Westminster ... Abbey that they sometimes produced spurious ones where the genuine article was lacking".</ref> it may preserve genuine evidence of a foundation of the church in the 11th century.<ref>''Proposed demolition of nineteen city churches. Report by the clerk of the council and the architect of the council'', London County Council, p. 14 and p. 18: London, 1920 [https://archive.org/details/cu31924015376233/page/n41/mode/2up?view=theater LCC Report]. As the original dedication was not to St Magnus of Orkney, the date of that saint's death cannot be used as a [[terminus post quem]] for the foundation of the church as suggested in, for example, ''The Medieval Church dedications of the City of London'', Oxley, J., LAMAS 29: 1978. The reference in the charter to "the stone church of St Magnus near the bridge and all the lands in the same city which a certain man named Livingus together with his son when he became a monk, and his wife when she devoted herself to a holy life, gave to the monastery" is similar to a reference of 1076 in the [[Trial of Penenden Heath]] to the "lands and houses which Livingus, priest, and his wife, had in London". Archbishop Lanfranc served a writ for the restitution of lands of which the churches had been unlawfully disseised in 1067 when Odo became Earl of Kent. See [https://archive.org/details/placitaanglonorm00bige/page/6/mode/2up?q=Livingus Penenden Heath trial]. See also ''The earliest mention of Bow Church'', BW Kissan, TLAMAS (1933)</ref> There is a further document referring to the church in 1128–33.<ref>''Gazetteer'', Carlin, M. and Belcher, V. in ''British atlas of historic towns: Vol. 3, The City of London'', Lobel, M.D. (ed.): Oxford, 1989, quoting ''Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066–1154'', Vol. 2, No. 1883: Oxford, 1913. See [https://archive.org/details/regestaregumangl02grea/page/284/mode/2up Charter]. The text is as follows: "[1128–33] Woodstock: Precept by Henry I to G[ilbert] Bp. of London and the Archdeacon and the whole Chapter of St. Paul's: That the Abbot and church of St. Peter of Westminster and their priest shall hold the church of St Magnus the Martyr in London, and the whole parish pertaining thereto as well and honourably as in the time of William I and William II and of Bps. Hugh, Maurice, and Richard. They are not to be impleaded therefor. Witness: Richard Basset."</ref> In the second half of the 12th century control of the [[advowson]] of St Magnus was disputed between the Abbot of Westminster and the Prior of Bermondsey. The case was resolved in the [[Curia Regis]] on 23 April 1182, with the advowson being divided equally between them.<ref>''Westminster Abbey and its People, c. 1050-c.1216'', Mason, E., p.244, Woodbridge, 1996 {{ISBN|978-0-85115-396-4}} See [https://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol25/pp144-159 Westminster Abbey Charters]</ref> Later in the 1180s, on their joint presentation, the Archdeacon of London inducted his nephew as parson.<ref>''Westminster Abbey Charters, 1066'' c. 1214'', Mason, E. (ed.), pp. 144–159 and pp. 197–228: London Record Society 25 (1988)</ref> On 14 April 1208, again on the joint presentation of the Abbot of Westminster and the Prior of Bermondsey, the Bishop of London instituted Simon de Valenciis to St Magnus.<ref>''Westminster Abbey and its People, c. 1050-c.1216'', Mason, E., p.138, Woodbridge, 1996 {{ISBN|978-0-85115-396-4}}. The full text is as follows: "14 April 1208 Notification by William [de Ste Mère Eglise], bishop of London, that at the presentation of the abbot & convent of Westminster, patrons of half the church of St Magnus the Martyr next to London Bridge, and at the presentation of the prior & convent of Bermondsey, patrons of the other half, he has instituted to the church Mr Simon de Valenciis, clerk, reserving to the abbots of Westminster and the prior of Bermondsey and convents the pensionis which they formerly received from that church. Simon will answer for all obligations due to the bishop or archdeacon" (Westminster Abbey Charters 1066–c.1214, 220).</ref>

Alderman Hugh Pourt, fishmonger and Sheriff of London, and his wife Margaret founded a perpetual chantry at the start of the 14th century.<ref>Repertorium Ecclesiasticum Parochiale Londinense, Richard Newcourt (1708), p. 396, quoting from the Bishop's Register of Ralph de Baldock/Baudake. See also Pourt's will of 1307/08 in ''Calendar of Wills Proved and Enrolled in the Court of Husting, London: Part 1, 1258–1358'', ed. R R Sharpe (London, 1889), pp. 189-199: "Pourte (Hugh) — To John le Blound a house. To Margaret his wife the custody of William his son until he come of age, and to the said William forty pounds. Certain rents in the parish of S. Magnus to be devoted to the maintenance of a chantry in the said parish church. To the fabric of London Bridge twenty shillings."</ref> An important religious guild, the Confraternity de [[Salve Regina]], was in existence by 1343, having been founded by the "better sort of the Parish of St Magnus" to sing the anthem 'Salve Regina' every evening.<ref>''Chronicles of London Bridge by an Antiquary'', p. 298-9 quoting Stow's 'Survey': Smith, Elder and Co., London, 1827</ref> The Guild certificates of 1388/89 (12 Richard II) record that the Confraternity of Salve Regina and the guild of St Thomas the Martyr in the chapel on the bridge, whose members belonged to St Magnus parish, had determined to become one, to have the anthem of St Thomas after the Salve Regina and to devote their united resources to restoring and enlarging the church of St Magnus.<ref>''The gilds and companies of London'', Unwin, G. (with a new introduction by Kahl, W.F), p. 115: London, 1963. See also [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C5908296 Fraternity of the Salutation of Our Lady and of St Thomas in the church of St Magnus near London Bridge].</ref> An Actact of Parliament of 1437<ref>, the [[Guilds and Fraternities Act 1436]] ([[15 HenryHen. VI6]]. Capc. 6</ref>), provided that all incorporated fraternities and companies should register their charters and have their ordinances approved by the civic authorities.<ref>''Worlds within Worlds: Structures of Life in Sixteenth-Century London'' (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time), Rappaport, S., p. 184: Cambridge, 1989 (paperback edition 2002), {{ISBN|978-0521892216}}. See also ''Historical Studies of the English Parliament: Volume 2: 1399–1603'', Fryde, E.B. and Miller, E. (eds), pp. 129–131: Cambridge, 1970</ref> Fear of enquiry into their privileges may have led established fraternities to seek a firm foundation for their rights. The letters patent of the fraternity of St Mary and St Thomas the Martyr of Salve Regina in St Magnus dated 26 May 1448 mention that the fraternity had petitioned for a charter on the grounds that the society was not duly founded.<ref>See [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=64559 Parish Fraternity Register], [http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/patentrolls/h6v5/body/Henry6vol5page0173.pdf Calendar of the Patent Rolls 26 May 1448 #1] and [http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/patentrolls/h6v5/body/Henry6vol5page0174.pdf Calendar of the Patent Rolls 26 May 1448 #2]</ref>

[[Maurice Griffith]] was rector here from 1537 until his death in 1558, holding the [[Bishop of Rochester|Bishopric of Rochester]] as well from 1554. His funeral, held at St Magnus, was a splendid affair, with chief mourners Sir [[William Petre]], Sir [[William Garrard]] and [[Simon Lowe alias Fyfield|Simon Lowe]].<ref>''The Diary of Henry Machyn'', Nicholas J.G. ed., Camden Society Original series 42: London, 1848, p. 180.</ref> These last two were parishioners. Sir [[William Garrard]], Master of the [[Worshipful Company of Haberdashers|Haberdashers' Company]], Alderman, Sheriff of London in 1553/53, Lord Mayor in 1555/56 and a Member of Parliament was born in the parish and buried at St Magnus in 1571.<ref>''The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1509–1558'', Bindoff, S.T. (ed)|page=, 1982}}</ref>[[Simon Lowe alias Fyfield|Simon Lowe]] was a Member of Parliament and Master of the [[Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors|Merchant Taylors' Company]] during the reign of [[Mary I of England|Queen Mary]] and one of the jurors who acquitted Sir [[Nicholas Throckmorton]] in 1554.<ref>''The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1509–1558'', Bindoff, S.T. (ed)|page=, 1982}}</ref>

The rector of St Magnus between 1792 and 1808, following the death of Robert Gibson on 28 July 1791,<ref>''The Times'', 2 August 1791</ref> was [[Thomas Rennell]] FRS. Rennell was President of [[Sion College]] in 1806/07. There is a monument to Thomas Leigh (Rector 1808–48 and President of [[Sion College]] 1829/30),<ref>''London Parishes; containing the situation, antiquity, and rebuilding of the Churches within the Bills of Mortality'': London, 1824 See [https://books.google.com/books?id=uRIHAAAAQAAJ&q=london+parishes+containing+an+account+of+the+Rise,+corruption+and+reformation+of+the+church+of+england London Parishes]</ref> at St Peter's Church, [[Goldhanger]] in Essex.<ref>See [http://www.essexchurches.info/church.asp?p=Goldhanger Monumental inscription]</ref> Richard Hazard (1761–1837) was connected with the church as sexton, parish clerk and ward beadle for nearly 50 years<ref>''The churches of London'', Vol, II, Godwin, G, and Britton, J.: London, 1838</ref> and served as Master of the Parish Clerks' Company in 1831/32.<ref>''The Parish Clerks of London'', Adams, R.H.: Phillimore, London and Chichester, 1971</ref>

In November 1898 a memorial service was held at St Magnus for [[Knill Baronets|Sir Stuart Knill]] (1824–1898), head of the firm of John Knill and Co, wharfingers, and formerly Lord Mayor and Master of the Plumbers' Company.<ref>See "Election of an Alderman" in ''The Times'', 19 September 1885, p. 5 and "The Late Sir Suart Knill" in ''The Times'', 23 November 1898, p. 12</ref> This was the first such service for a Roman Catholic taken in an Anglican church.<ref>''The New Zealand Tablet'', Volume XXVI, Issue 4, 26 January 1899, p. 24.</ref> Sir Stuart's son, [[Knill Baronets|Sir John Knill]] (1856–1934), also served as Alderman for the [[Bridge (City of London ward)|Ward of Bridge Within]], Lord Mayor and Master of the Plumbers' Company.

At the midday service on 1 March 1922, [[Ash Wednesday]], J.&nbsp;A. Kensit, leader of the [[Protestant Truth Society]], got up and protested against the form of worship.<ref>''The Times'', 2 March 1922, p. 9</ref> The proposed changes to the church in 1924 led to a hearing in the Consistory Court of the Chancellor of the Diocese of London and an appeal to the [[Arches Court|Court of Arches]].<ref>''The Times'', 31 March 1924 p. 7 and 14 April 1924 p. 14, and ''Images in Churches: Judgement of Sir Lewis Dibdin, Dean of the Arches, in the case of Rector and Churchwardens of St Magnus the Martyr v. All having interest'', Publications Board of the Church Assembly and SPCK: London, 1925.</ref> Judgement was given by the latter Court in October 1924.<ref>Details of the changes made by Fr Fynes-Clinton can be found in John Salter's ''The Anglican Papalist: A personal Portrait of Henry Joy Fynes-Clinton''</ref> The [[advowson]] was purchased in 1931, without the knowledge of the Rector and Parochial Church Council, by the evangelical Sir [[Charles King-Harman]].<ref>See obituary in ''The Times'', 19 April 1939, p. 16</ref> A number of such cases, including the purchase of the advowsons of Clapham and Hampstead Parish Churches by Sir Charles, led to the passage of the Benefices (Purchase of Rights of Patronage) Measure 1933.<ref>''Hansard'' HL Deb 22 March 1933 vol 87 cc2-27. See [https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1933/mar/22/benefices-purchase-of-rights-of 1933 Measure]</ref> This allowed the parishioners of St Magnus to purchase the advowson from Sir Charles King-Harman for £1,300 in 1934 and transfer it to the Patronage Board.<ref>Printed letter from the Rector and Churchwardens to the members of the Sunday and Weekday congregations of the Church of St Magnus the Martyr, February 1934. The advowson was transferred to the Diocesan Board of Patronage by a deed of conveyance dated 17 September 1934 and registered at the Diocesan Registry on 10 October 1934.</ref>

St Magnus is also the ward church for the [[Bridge (City of London ward)|Ward of Bridge and Bridge Without]], which elects one of the city's [[aldermen]]. Between 1550 and 1978 there were separate aldermen for Bridge Within and Bridge Without, the former ward being north of the river and the latter representing the City's area of control in [[Southwark]]. The Bridge Ward Club was founded in 1930 to "promote social activities and discussion of topics of local and general interest and also to exchange ward and parochial information" and holds its annual carol service at St Magnus.<ref>''Bridge Ward Club'', club handbook (no date, c. 1990)</ref>