After leaving Bosworth Battlefield Centre we passed through the village of Sutton Cheney and I asked if we could stop so I could have a quick 10 minute look at the battlefield church of St James.
It is believed Richard III took his last mass at this church before the Battle of Bosworth.
18th century gravestones
I couldn't find information on the font but it looks quite old.
Box Pews (or enclosed seating) - these were introduced in the 17th century and were most popular in the Georgian Period. The box pews in this church are 18th century.
There is a modern memorial to Richard III erected by the Society of Richard III. A memorial service is held here every year on the Sunday nearest to 22nd August.
The kneelers were also provided by the Society of Richard III.
The Nave dates from the early 13th century and has fine piers of the arcade which separate the nave from the aisle.
This solid piece of rough rubble wall which now supports the south wall of the church tower is probably all that remains of an earlier building.
The chancel dates back to the 14th century but was rebuilt in 1905. Thankfully gothic features such as the sedilia were retained.
This is the tomb of Sir William Roberts who died in 1633 - he was a great benefactor to the area and built almshouses near the church.
His wives kneeling above the tomb look down on him.
Sedilia
The East Window showing St Mary and James and the Good Shepherd is by Charles of London and dates to 1905.
This wooden item is an old bell frame.
On 22nd March 2015, the cortege carrying the remains of Richard III paused at the gates to the church for a short service led by Rev. Julia Hargreaves and attended by the Rev. Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester. During the service church wardens placed a tribute of white roses and laurel on the coffin. The cortege then continued its journey to Leicester Cathedral where Richard III lay in state until he was laid to rest on 26th March.
It really was a very interesting church and I am pleased I had the opportunity to visit.
When I got back to the car about 15 minutes later the family had disappeared. I thought they had gone a walk round the village until I spotted a nearby pub -
Hercules Revived.
That was a quick drink!
Now I don't mind missing out on icecreams when I look round a church but a swift half was too good an opportunity to miss!
Reference: "The Church of St James Sutton Cheney" Guidebook
16 comments:
They like their boars!
The enduring appeal of Richard III fascinates me. Maybe because he was dealt with unfairly for all those years. The church looks like a special place.
Glad you got to look in the church, it is a fascinating mixture of things. I had been inside many years ago and last time we visited we sort of shot by it and intended to go back after visiting the centre but when we left we went out the wrong way so mised it. It looks as if your visit was made on a very warm day so that drink would have been much appreciated:)
Simon Douglas Thompson - Thank you and lol - yes they certainly did! :)
Countryside Tales - Thank you and Richard III was such an interesting King - as you say unfairly treated over the centuries.
Rosie - Thank you. I am glad I went too because I was thinking it was getting late and perhaps I should leave it for another time but I always find it best to visit first time round if you can. Yes, it was hot - I was glad of the shade of the woods on the second part of the battlefield trail!
Less and less nature notes, I fear, and more battlefields and churches.
What an interesting church, RR, and lovely that it was open. I was intrigued by the name of the pub... and, despite those beautiful horses, had not thought of following an equine line of enquiry!
David Gascoigne - Thank you for the comment. My blog in recent years has become more of a mix of all my interests which include nature, reading, history and churches.
Caroline Gill - Thanks Caroline - yes, it was good to find the church open - not all are! I thought the pub name was unusual - will google now and see if I can find out more.
Caroline - Hi again. Have just visited the pub website which has a bit of info into the name. Apparently Hercules was a legendary race horse owned by the Dixie family in the 18th century (I am assuming locally to the pub???) and he has now been revived as an innkeeper keeping an eye on the proceedings!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
The half almost makes up for the ice cream! :)
Pam - Thank you and lol! :)
An interesting mixture of artefacts for sure. A lot of work gone in to the kneelers too. Oh, and make mine a swift half of perry, please!
Deborah O'Brien - Thank you so much :) I won't forget the half of perry next time :) It often pays to look at kneelers in churches - some are beautiful.
The Ricardians are keen aren't they!
Pete Duxon - Thanks Pete and yes they certainly are! :)
Thank you, RR, for the extra (pub) information of the 'mysterious' kind!
Caroline Gill - Thank you and thanks for motivating me to look into something that had intrigued me too :)
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