It looked a lovely church in the landscape, and it would have been rude not to visit. It is Grade 1 listed, although "completely rebuilt" by George Gilbert Scott in 1851-52 for John Somers Cocks, the Lord of the Manor.
Its roots were in the 12th C but it was rebuilt in the 13th. Gilbert-Scott had intended to re-use the original stonework and had numbered everything as it was removed, but many stones were found too damaged to reuse. Only the tower dates from the earlier period.
There were heads (various) at the bottoms of the windows too.
The new font, with beautiful marble legs and lovely carvings.
The Pious Pelican here, and I remember the Agnus Dei on another side. The crispness of those leaves . . .
Fortunately they kept the old one, which looks Norman.
The Bell-tower contained several wonderful memorials.
Yesterday we went to Abergavenny, and then back to Tretower Court, which you will have seen my photos of before - just as well, as I forgot my phone so couldn't take any. We had a lovely long talk with one of the Marcher Stuarts re-enactment group. My gosh, he knows his history and could do lecture tours! We didn't stay in the period (they were 15th C yesterday) but talked about various periods, and learned so much. 17th C next month. I still have a year on my CADW Historic Monuments pass, so can get in free. £7.50 for 3 years is good value!
On Friday we had a walk around Hay, then went up the Golden Valley to Dore Abbey, where we had a picnic lunch in the orchard, and also popped into Bacton Church again. Today it is Berrington Hall. No peace for the wicked.
Oh, and would you believe I have been horse-fly bitten just about every day in the past week, latest one top of thigh and sending me NUTS with itching. Just waiting for extra-strong anti-histamine to kick in now. Blardy things. I feel like a Marked Woman, high on the Horse Fly list of tasty Victims.
Glad you are enjoying your friend’s visit!
ReplyDeleteWhat on Earth are those “peals” in your last photo? Bell ringing competitions?????
Yes, rings of bells. I forgot to mention this was in the bell tower.
DeleteI was just being thick 🤣
DeleteNo - sometimes my mind goes on totally different lines and I think on a completely wrong axis!
DeleteLovely church photos - memorials in the bell tower.......so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI tried but failed to send a comment about horse fly bites earlier last week....... horrible things, and like you I'm particularly susceptible to the damn things, they seem to like women don't they.
Alison in Devon x
Well, whilst my friend is here I can send her out as she NEVER gets bitten. Only by red ants anyway - never even by midges! She must have petrol in her veins instead of blood! I think they can only breed when they've had access to blood, so they must be desperate right now, as they die at summer's end.
DeleteI don't know about anyone else but I can just *feel* the holiness that these places possess! Lots of praying has been done here, I would imagine....and probably still does. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteSt Mary's Church at Kempley has a VERY strong ambience, but I think the most Godly feel goes to St. Issui's at Partrishow. The saint is buried there.
DeleteApparently they are attracted to the way we move, sweat and dark colours, and they have mouths like little razor blades. I do sympathise, I attract them too and have tried everything to stop them. Am very itchy at the moment with irritated skin and heat not helping! Bought a lovely crocosmia yesterday which I managed to split into 2. Take care. Xx
ReplyDeleteSweat it would be at the moment - I get hot SO quickly. Yes, can vouch for the razor blade mouths - Tam too - one got her fingertip last month. Must go out covered in Avon Skin So Soft.
DeleteEnjoy your double Crocosmia.
Horse flies are nasty when they bite you — I hate them with a passion. So long since I went to Tretower court - must make teh effort when I'm passing.
ReplyDeleteThere are a couple of horses turned out over the lane, but these barstewards live on MY land, and I do wish they didn't! Even if I go out in jeans at the moment, they get me. One or two bites a summer is one thing - 7 in a week QUITE another!
DeleteDO visit Tretower again. It does have such a special feel to it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely church. So far this year while I have been bitten by numerous mosquitoes, the horse flies haven't found me as of yet.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I think they are all on holiday HERE!
ReplyDeleteQuite a beautiful church that lot to see there, the Roll of Honour is one of the nicest ones I have seen
ReplyDelete