Trip to Coleshill

I planned to pay a quick visit to Brandon Marsh yesterday to try and catch up with some of the newly arrived migrants that I haven't yet seen but as I was just about to leave home it started to rain quite heavily. As the weather forecast didn't look that good I decided to abandon the Brandon idea. I remembered that a church I have been meaning to visit at Coleshill was open on Wednesday mornings so I decided to go there instead.

The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul stands on the highest point of the hill where the market town is located and the church spire is quite a local landmark as it can be seen from some miles around. The church is a Grade 1 listed building and the nave and aisles were constructed in the fourteenth century and the tower, spire and chancel in the fifteenth century.

The Norman font dates back to the mid or late twelfth century and is even older than the present church. It is made of beautifully carved Caen stone.



This compartment of the font shows the Crucifixion.



The font was rediscovered in 1859 having been hidden and covered in plaster to hide precious stones set in some of the scenes during the Civil War (1642-51).



Tapestry



One of the Medieval Table Tombs with an effigy possibly of John I de Clinton who it is believed travelled with the future Edward I on his crusade to recapture Nazareth. He died around 1298 and the shield shows the Clinton heraldry. The dog at his feet represents a crusaders' symbol of fidelity.



Stained glass window in the Lady Chapel



Brass Eagle Lectern



The Chancel



Carving at the end of a choir stall



Effigy of John Digby (died 1557) and his wife Anne



Tomb of Reginald Digby (died 1549) and his wife Anne - the figures around the side of the tomb are of their 12 children





Tomb of Simon Digby (died 1519) and wife Alice



Marble Urn in memory of John Kildare, Lord Digby, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot

Edit - Have recently been advised that the urn is for Kildare Digby who died in 1661 and who was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral Dublin. The Digby involved in the Gunpowder Plot wa a distant cousin - Sir Everard Digby (died 1666). Please see comment below. Edited 8th March 2012



Stained Glass Windows in the Chancel (the first window represents Agony in the Garden, Crucifixion and Resurrection)







Pulpit



There are stone heads all around the outside of the church - these two were by the Porch





Stump of Medieval Preaching Cross






When I came out of the Church the sun had made an appearance so perhaps I should have risked a trip to Brandon Marsh after all! Oh well, the church was well worth a visit - the font was incredible and I'll try to get to Brandon Marsh before the end of the month.

Sources: Walk around Coleshill Parish Church fact sheet and Coleshill Parish Church Booklet