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| Abbots Leigh Axbridge
Bath Abbey
Bathampton
Batheaston
Beckington Bishop's Hull
Bruton
Brympton d'Evercy
Camerton
Charlton Mackrell
Chedzoy
Chelwood Compton Martin Corston Chew Magna Churchill Combe Florey Crowcombe Curry Rivel Somerset Pages <2> <3> <4 - Wells> |
Of all the churches I visited only five were locked; three of these gave the nearby address or phone number of the key holder, who was always happy to help, while I had to write to the incumbent to arrange an appointment to see the fourth. I arrived at the fifth on an unplanned visit; the church was firmly locked and there was no telephone number or address of the key holder, even though this was a village church. I have to add that this is a poor - if not frankly impolite - pracrice.Wells Cathedral charges no entrance fee but there is a small charge for photography. The upkeep of these ancient and beautiful buildings is expensive and a contribution - no matter how small - is always welcome.
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Abbots Leight - Holy Trinity |
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Above Left: Francis
Short (1853) buried in vault below, his widow
Sophia (1888) buried in the church yard. The urn has an
inscription to her daughter, Philipa Syndey. |
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Aller -St Andrew |
Ashill - All Saints |
Ashwick - St James |
| Axbridge |
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Babington - St Margaret |
Backwell - St Andrew |
Banwell - St Andrew |
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Barrow Gurney - St Mary & St Edward |
Barwick - St Mary Magdalene |
Batcombe - St Mary |
| Bath Abbey |
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| Opening times are about 9.30 am to 5.30 pm; Sundays are probably best avoided but check website. There appears to be no compulsary entrance fee but a voluntary fee of £4.00 is respectfully requested. Phototography is allowed but tripods may be used between 9.00 am to 10.00 am; prior arrangement must be made for other times but not on the day of your visit - see website. Monopods are fine. |
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Above
left: Bartholomew
Barns, Wife and Children (1605). Alabaster and touch. |
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| Bishop James Montague (1618) By William Cure, mason, & Nicholas Johnson, carver. |
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Bathampton - St Nicholas |
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Lady c. 1325 Above & right: Knight c 1325. Note the lacing on the side of the surcoat which is cut short at the front. |
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Batheaston St John the Baptist |
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Henry Walters (1753) & his wife Mary (1752) & their children, Elizabeth (1733) & Mary (1763) Also Elizabeth (1735), sister of the above Henry |
James Walters (1735) & children: Clement, Ann & Susanna. His wife Mary (1770) who later married Thomas Drewett |
Francis Brodbelt Millward (1813) |
Ann Walters (1788) & Henry (1797), her husband and son of Henry Snr & Mary (far left) & Mary (1770) their daughter |
| Bathford - St
Swithun Elizabeth Phillips (ob 1759) relief of woman by urn by John Ford |
Bawdrip - St Michael: Knight (late C13) |
| Beckington - St George |
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| Church open during normal hours.
Park in the village near the church. O/S Ref: ST 802 516 |
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Above and Left: Lady c 1370,
under a modern arch. Below: Knight/Lady c 1370 in canoped tomb |
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| John Compton (1510) & Wife Brass in floor of south chapel. Note the children below the inscription. That to John St Maur (1485) & Wife in the chancel is a modern replacement |
William (1802) & Grace (1812) Sainsbury by T King of Bath |
Samuel Danyel (1619) Note his bust wears toga and wreath: unusual for the date |
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A Series of Family Related Navy Wall Monuments | ||
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| Left: Rear Admiral Henry Ffolkes Edgell (1846) signed T Gaffin of Regent Street, London. Above Left: Harry Edgell (1803) & Frances Above Centre: Caroline (1897) widow of Vice-Admiral Harry Edgell & his daughter, Fanny Mary Rose Ringler-Thompson (1919). Above Right: Harry Lancelot Edgell (1864 @ 8m, 12d) son of Rear Admiral Harry Edgell & grandson of Harry Ffolkes Edgell. | |||
| Berrow - St Mary:
Knight (late C13) Lady (late C13) Both in the churchyard |
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Bishop's Hull |
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The church is locked and no
keyholder given. However to visit the church, contact the
churchwarden, Tim Sutton, at the address below. He will
very willingly arrange to open the church for you.
However this now may have changed, so you may have to write
to the incumbent. You
may park in the church car park.
Suttontimjim@aol.com
O/S Ref: ST 205 247 |
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| Above Left & Centre: George Farewell (1609) Below kneel his wife, four
daughters and five sons: all three sons carry swords and
one is in armour; Pevsner states that the carving is
'exceptionally beautiful'; I can't say I agree. Alabaster. Chancel, North
Wall. Right: The three children lying
rather stacked at the base of this monument are:
Edmund (1661, 1yr),
Elizabeth ( ?)
& Mary 1673, < 3m) Fowell.
Great-grandchildren of Sir George & children of Edmund. Above is the monument to their mother (Bridget Fowell - 1607) and grandmother (Mary Brune (Fowell - n/d) . Below this ia a plate to ' ___ wife of Edmund Fowell ___Brune' and below that a plate to the children |
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| A selection of wall monuments: some are enlarged below | |
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| Left: Sir George (1647) & Lady
Farewell (1660) They had 20 children. Above Left: John Shelly (1848 @ 8) uncertain lettering has worn Above Right: Hooke Bartelot (18_ _) & his wife Theresa Maria (1835) Right: Jacob & Marie Upton. Their dates of death are nor given, just the ages. |
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Bishop's Lydearn - St Mary: |
Bleadon - St Peter & St Paul |
Bradford-On-Tone - St Giles: |
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Bridgewater - St Mary: |
Brent Knole - St Michael: |
Brockley - St Nicholas |
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Brompton Ralph - St Mary: |
Broomfield- All Saints |
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Bruton - St Mary |
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| Church normally open. There is limited parking on the Church Bridge and opposite the West Gate. O/S Ref: ST 685 347 |
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| Sir Maurice Berkeley (1581) and
his two Wives (1559 & 1585) This monument, which was originally in the south aisle, and the wall monuments below are all in the chancel, which was rebuilt in 1743 |
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| William Berkeley, Baron of Stratton (1741) The inscription is in Latin and Greek |
John Donne (1782) Buried in Batcombe Church, 'beneath a peaceful sod' |
Captain William Berkeley (1794) He was commander of HMS Tiger and was buried at sea, dying returning from the coast of Guinea in the West Indies. By P Scheemakers | William Godolphin (1636) Bronze bust attributed to Le Sueur | This tomb chest (rear of nave) is said to be that of Abbot Gilbert, (prior 1494, abbot 1511-33) although without any good reason. The abbey was near the church. Its condition results from its being in the churchyard until fairly recent times; the present incumbent would like to see it returned there! |
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Brympton d'Evercy St Andrew |
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| Church normally open. In the grounds
of a fine manor house but it is the parish church. Park opposite the church. O/S Ref: ST 520 153 |
| This can be quite a difficult church to find - but well worth a visit - so it's best to obtain the 1:50, 000 (or larger scale) OS map of the area. Taking the A30 from Crewkerne to Yeovil, turn left (approaching Yeovil) onto the A3088 - that is, the 1st exit on the roundabout. Turn left (1st exit) on next roundabout, then straight ahead (2nd exit) on the next roundabout; this takes you off the A3088 onto a 'yellow road'. Turn left (1st exit) at the next roundabout, then left again (1st exit) at the next roundabout. You should now pass over the A3088 onto Old Road. Soon on the left are some gates leading into parkland; there is no sign post. If you reach a Y-junction with the sign 'Old Road', you have gone too far. Pass through the gates and continue to the church (10 mph speed limit please!) The church is next to the beautiful manor house, which dates back in part to the fifteenth century. It looks like a large private chapel - but it is in fact the parish church. |
| Chancel Chapel |
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 Top Row: Lady of c. 1440. Said to be Isabel d'Evercy, widow of Peter, founder of the church. Bottom Row: Knight of c. 1275, which predates the present building. Probably a member of the d'Evercy family, lords of the manor. Note that he holds the shield by a handle with his left hand; the other grips his sword. |
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| North Transept |
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| Priest in mass vestments of the early 14th century; he holds a chalice. The canopy above the effigy has scenes of the Magi (left) and (right) the Annunciation | Lady of c. 1325. Above her effigy are scenes of the Crucifixion. |
| The Chancel |
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| John Sydenham V (1626) Right: taken from chapel; Left: taken from chancel. Centre: taken from foot of tomb, showing heraldry and insciption. Below Left: one of the skull at the entrance to the open tomb chest (chapel side) behind which can be seen scattered bones. |
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Robert Young (1790)
Buried in a vault in the church Right: Jane, Countess Dowager of Westmorland ( 1857). Buried at Aperthorpe. |
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Buckland Dinham - St Michael |
Buckland St Mary - St Mary: |
Burnett - St Michael |
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Burrington - Holy Trinity |
Butleigh - St Leonard: |
Cameley - St James |
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Camerton - St Peter |
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John Carew (1683) & Wife
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Sir John & Lady Carew 1640 |
John Carew (1683) & Wife
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Cannington - St Mary |
Carhampton - St John Baptist |
Castle Cary - All Saints |
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Chard - St Mary the Virgin |
Charlton Adam - St Peter & St Paul |
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Charlcombe - St Mary |
Cheddar - St Andrew |
Chedzoy - St Mary |
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Chelvey - St Bridget |
Chewton Mendip - St Mary Magdalen |
Chilton - Polden |
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Clapton -in - Gordano - St Michael |
Claverton - St Mary |
Clevedon - St Andrew |
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Cloford - St Mary |
Combe Hay |
Congresbury - St Andrew |
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Charlton Mackrell St Mary the Virgin |
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| Church open from about 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Best to avoid Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon when the
church is in use. Park in school car park opposite the church.
Can be hard to find: look for school road sign. The church is
south of the railway line which cuts the village in two.
O/S Ref : ST 528 282 |
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Left and from left to right above: Effigies from double tomb said to be that of Sir William Lyle (1316) & Agnes. They were cast out of the north transept during the restorations of 1847 and are now in a sorry state east of the church under a yew tree. The arch under which they are said to have originally situated is in the north wall of the north transept although this is now totally obscured by the organ; you can just see the beginning of the arch by peeping through the gap at the side of this instrument. The effigies have gablettes over their heads; the knight appears to be drawing - or more likely, sheathing, his sword while the lady's hands may well be held in prayer. A great loss. 1. Lydia Dood (1778) The rector's 2nd daughter and Jane (Dodd) Cheseldon (1778), his 1st. 2. Rev Simon Whetcombe (1657), curiously in Latin and English. 3. 'In a vault...depoſited the remains of...' Mary Pyne (1770) Also Eleanor, Charles, Arthur & Elizabeth, 'offsping...who died in infancy'. Added below Franes Pyne (1787) 3rd daughter. John Pyne (1791) the husband of Mary. 4. Rev William Dodd MA (1760) 'Rector of this place, ſole Patron of the Church, Vicar of Northover & Prebendary of Cusworth & Knowl founded in the Cathedral Church of St Andrew in Wells.' Mrs Jane Dodd (1732) |
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 Top left: Thomas Wilkinson (1827); Top right: Harriet Brymer (1825); Right top: George Page (18--); Right bottom: Rev Richard Ford (1817) rector |
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| Chedzoy - St Mary |
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| Sydney Mason Collins TD MA ESA
(1946) He was a barrister-at-law and served throughout
Word War I with the Signals; he is shown on horseback and in
uniform. The bronze statue is five feet in height and stands on
a plinth of the same height. It was erected in the church yard
in 1950. The statue was stolen in 2006 |
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Cossington - St Mary |
Cothelstone - St Thomas of
Canterbury |
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Chew Magna - St Andrew |
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| Church open during normal hours. Park in the village or in the free car park across the road from the church. O/S Ref: ST 577 632 |
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| Left Top: Richard Tyson (1820); Left Bottom: Samuel Collins (1712); Centre Top Wooden monument on which is painted 'Sire Johann de Hauteville temp R III'. Despite this inscription, it is not Sir John Hautville, the last of that name dying two hundred years before the type of armour indicated was worn. It was repainted in the 1860's. Pevsner states it may be a Tudor retrospective although is thought to be of Sir John Wych (1340-1350). Compare the similar effigy (although of stone) in Aldworth, Berskshire. However, Dr Claude Blaire confirms that this interesting monument is indeed medieval. Centre Bottom & Right: Sir John St Lo (1447) & Agnes (second wife or another St Lo). It is said that these effigies may not have been made as a pair. | ||
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 Left & Above: Sir John St Lo (1447) & Agnes (second wife or another St Lo). It is said that these effigies may not have been made as a pair. |
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| Above Left: Frame of damaged monument. Above Right: Elizabeth Henrietta Sandiford (1800). Right:Sir Henry Strachey Bart by J Bacon Jnr of London Far Right: Sarah Abraham (1801) | |||
| Chilthorne Domer - St Mary
Knight c. 1275 |
Croscombe - St Mary James Bisse (1606) brass with family kneeling, inscripton William Bisse (1625) similar |
| Churchill |
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Combe Florey - St Peter & St Paul |
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| Church normally open. Park in the village. O/S Ref: ST 151 312 |
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Above and Left: Knight and two ladies - now on floor. Said to be Sir John de Meriet of Hestercombe, who died in 1327, and his two wives. The date is early 14th century - note the beginnings of plate armour on the lower limbs. Also note the structures on either shoulder of the knight, particulalry as shown in the photograph on the left: these are ailettes, which can be seen quite clearly here to have served at least a heraldic function. These are very rare on medieval effigies but when they appear on brasses are illustrated as facing forwards. |
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Left: Brass to Florence Fraunceys (c 1550) and two children, although probably made when her husband died in 1485. Relaid in indent for husband, John. Shields and inscription are lost. Above: brass inscription to Nicholas Fraunceys (c 1485) two figures and scrolls lost. Right: This is said to be a heart shrine of Maud de Meriet, a nun at Cannington. There is a circular (with appendage) recess in the floor of this structure (with no drain) and an incised inscription above. |
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Crewkerne - St Bartholomew |
Cricket St Thomas - St Thomas
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Creech St Michael - St Michael
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Crowcombe - Church of the Holy Ghost |
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| Church open during normal hours. Park in free car park immediately opposite the church. O/S Ref: ST 141 367 |
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| Above: James (1811) &
Elizabeth (1805) Bernard.
The figure is Charity By Westmacott. (Nave) Near Right: Rev Henry Lockett MA (1778) & Frideswide (1791). He was Rector of Crowcombe & Prebendary of Wells. She was daughter of Samuel Farthing By F. Robins of Bath. (Chancel) Centre Right: Thomas Carew (1766) & Mary (1738) and Mary (1757) By Tyler (Gunnis). (Carew Aisle - N of Nave) Far Right: Robert Cranmer Trollope (1808) (Carew Aisle - North of Nave) |
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John (1696) & Rebecca Farthing (1677), their son
Samuel (1731), his wife Frideswide
(1726) & their son. Both John & Samuel were rectors.
(chancel) Rev William Henry Harvey (1840) By Denham, Regents Street, London Coventry Warrington Carew (1889). Thomas Fleming Trollope-Bellew (1993) (Nave) Carew Family (16th - 18th C) five different marbles - several painted coats of arms (Carew Aisle) George Henry Warrington Carew (1842) draped sarcophagus. By Westminster Marble Co. Charles Lewis Moore & Thomas Carew Trollope who died in WWI. Brass plate with foul anchor and badge of Lincolnshire Yeomanry |
| N.B. The Carew Aisle is locked and is still owned by the family rather than by the church; however some photographs can be taken over the barrier. As well as the monuments there are many hatchments. |
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Culbone - St Culbone |
Curry - Mallet -St James |
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Curry Rivel - St Andrew |
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| Church open until dusk. Park outside. Well worth
a visit The name 'Curry' which occurs in several village names in the area does not mean there were curry farms around here! It is from a Celtic language spoken in the region and probably means 'stream' O/S Ref: ST 392 254 |
General view of the medieval tombs in the north chapel. The
Robert Jennings tomb is against the east wall and the Marmaduke
and Robert Jennings tomb divides the chapel from the
chancel
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Robert Jennings (1593) This is partly
blocked in the lower part by an altar table. I have added a
photograph of the upper part so the English inscription may
be read
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| Robert (1625) & Marmaduke (1630) Jennings, father and son. Note the wives and children are represented on the sides of the tomb chest; still born children (or children who died at or shortly after birth) are represented at the head and foot | |||
| Medieval Monuments |
| Arches |
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 See the photograph at the head of the section for the relative sizes of these arches. The one on the left and the two on the right are small and contain chests but no effigies. The knight is the largest and the two male civilians less so. None seem to fit. The eastermost structure may be an Easter Sepelchre |
| Effigies |
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  Several aspects of the knight. Above are two male civilain effigies from under the arches. To the right is a similar effigy but female civilian. Below is an incised slab (damaged) of a priest. |
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Local tradition has it that the knght'seffigy representsHenry
de Lorti (1242) or his grandson another Henry (1321). The
tomb chest below is said to contain the bones of the wife fo
the first Henry, Sabina Revel, whose family came from Revel
in SW France and who give the name to the village.
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