I have been to Tewkesbury just once, on a coach trip probably 50 years ago, so I don't remember anything about it. As it is only 13 miles from Malvern, it made sense to drive that little bit further and visit it.
I was looking for the "facilities" and wandered round the back. Didn't find the cafe/toilets, but I am glad I went astray as this beautiful architecture was too good to be missed.
I will assume this is the base of an old font. The stone on top looks to be sandstone and the base limestone. Both have found a new way to serve anyway.
The beautiful octagonal font, beautifully carved and with an ornate cover. It incorporates an early 8th C sandstone base. The font is probably basalt.
What an amazing brass lecturn - that must take some polishing.
Early carvings which have been saved.
The carvings and fan-vaulted ceilings were quite breathtaking.
An amazing survival of Medieval (14th C) stained glass. The knights are Robert Fitzroy, Gilbert de Clare, Hugh Despenser II and Robert Fitzhamon. The latter founded the Abbey in 1087. Robert Fitzroy (d.1147) was the eldest - but illegitimate - son of Henry I. He took for his wife Mabel, the daughter of Robert Fitzhamon. The Gilbert de Clare pictured was either the 5th Earl of Gloucester (d. 1314), one of the guarantors associated with the Magna Carta and he is buried in the Chancel or else the Gilbert de Clare who was the 8th Earl of Gloucester and associated with the expulsion of Piers Gaveston, Edward II's "favourite". Hugh Despenser the younger met a sticky end. He married Gilbert de Clare's sister Eleanor and was another favourite of Edward II, and detested by his wife Isabella. When she and Roger Mortimer (a name well known in these parts) seized power and deposed Edward, Hugh Despenser was tried for treason and found guilty, and subsequently hung, drawn, quartered, castrated and his head struck off in Hereford market place on 24th November 1326. Many thanks to Knights of Tewkesbury for this information. Please visit the interesting site to learn more. N.B. Been doing more research and found out that Hugh Despenser tghe Younger held many lands in Wales, including being the Keeper of Dryslwyn Castle (which was our local castle when we were at Ynyswen). It was in Cantref Mawr (as was Ynyswen) and that area was under his total control.
Other early stained glass.
More later in the week. I had a nice evening out on Friday at the local History Society talk about the Army on Sennybridge Range/Epynts. Then last night friends and I went to the cinema to see Mr Burton. It was brilliant, and I really enjoyed it and the lad that played Richard (Harry Lawtey) really seemed to get under the skin and persona of Richard and his voice and mannerisms were amazing. Toby Jones played his teacher Philip Burton and Lesley Manville was Ma Smith. Afterwards, they had invited the writer Tom Bullough and director Mark Evans to talk about the making of the film and there was a Q&A session. Do try and get to see it.
Right, now out to the garden, and later on I am off to auction and then grocery shopping afterwards. I hope you had a lovely weekend. I had Tam & Rosie here overnight on Saturday and then all day yesterday and we went to the garden centre. I had promised Rosie her own watering can (a pink elephant!) and her eyes lit up when she saw a childsize dustpan and brush (she's always using mine!) and she picked it off the display and handed it to Tam!! Of course, that went home with her too. I may have bought a few more plants though I mostly went for Cosmos seeds and a well grown Clematis to replace a small Morrisons one which snuffed it. I also bought Clematis feed (didn't know they needed special feeding so no wonder they have failed here.) I've lost half a dozen including a well grown to start with Clematis montana rubens - they normally thrive and take off. I got Samaritan Joe yesterday.
