Uploaded July 2021 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Ros and Chris visit St. Nicholas parish church in Steventon where Jane Austen worshipped in her youth. They are re-enacting the singing of a hymn written by George William Chard - Jane's music teacher and organist at Winchester Cathedral. It is part of Psalm 9 composed in celebration of the British Navy's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It is interesting to note that Chard did not ten years later write a hymn in similar vein to celebrate the similarly momentous Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Chard's music was popular at the time, but has now fallen into obscurity.
The organ was not in the church when Jane Austen was alive.
Ros and Chris visit St. Nicholas parish church in Steventon where Jane Austen worshipped in her youth. They are re-enacting the singing of a hymn written by George William Chard - Jane's music teacher and organist at Winchester Cathedral. It is part of Psalm 9 composed in celebration of the British Navy's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It is interesting to note that Chard did not ten years later write a hymn in similar vein to celebrate the similarly momentous Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Chard's music was popular at the time, but has now fallen into obscurity.
The organ was not in the church when Jane Austen was alive.
