A Trip to St Michael's Church and Baddesley Clinton

I haven't been able to go out as much as I would have liked over the last month or so as suddenly it has become "all systems go" re: selling my mother's house. The relative who had been living there finally moved out and I was able to finish going through items at the house to remove any personal items. We then had the house cleared and valued and it is now on the market. There are still a few obstacles to overcome but hopefully from my point of view the worst is over. Yesterday afternoon to take my mind off the house viewings taking place I "escaped" to Baddesley Clinton for a few hours.

First of all I walked up to the church of St Michael parts of which date back to the 13th century.

Parts of the churchyard have been cut but in other areas the grass has been left unmown and the wild flowers are flourishing. I spotted Bluebells, Red Campion, Lady's Smock, Meadow Buttercups, Cow Parsley, Dandelions, and Daisies.

I saw a Speckled Wood and several Orange Tips.

Not the best of photos and it is cropped but I couldn't get any closer.

Timothy enjoying his afternoon out.

St Michael's is in a lovely secluded spot surrounded by woods, hedgerows and fields. The Church was originally dedicated to St James and it is uncertain when the dedication changed to St Michael but it may have occurred following the 19th century restoration.

One of the most interesting people connected to Baddesley Clinton house and the church was Nicholas Brome (people who have been reading my blog posts for some time will recognise his story as I have told it several times). His father John Brome was Lord of the Manor of Baddesley Cliton and in 1468 John was murdered by a John Herthill and 3 years later Nicholas murdered John Herthill in revenge. Nicholas Brome inherited the manor of Baddesley Clinton from his father and in 1485 he discovered the parish priest flirting with his wife and "chockinge his wife under ye chinne" and in a temper he killed the priest. Nicholas did obtain a pardon from King Henry VII and the Pope and as penance he built the church tower at St Michael's. The church is also known as the The Church of Expiation. As an extra penance he asked to be buried vertically by the church entrance so people entering the church would walk on his head.

Nicholas Brome's daughter Constance married Edward Ferrers and it was through this marriage that Baddesley Clinton came into the hands of the Ferrers family and they remained at the house until 1939.


The font is of a simple Norman design.

This hatchment shows the arms of Edward Ferrers, Lord of Baddesley, who died in 1830 impalling those of his widow Harriet Anne Townshend the 2nd daughter and co-heir of George II, Marquis Townshend.

The second hatchment shows the arms of of another Edward Ferrers, Lord of Baddesley Clinton, who died in 1794 impalling those of his widow Hester nee Bird, daughter of Edward Champion Bird, a merchant of London.

This niche may one have held an aumbry (a small locked wall cabinet used to store items for the sacrament)

The 16th century East window.

Nicholas Brome kneeling in prayer

Sir Edward Ferrers and Lady Constance

Sir Edward's wife Constance with 5 of their 6 daughters and a shield with her arms.

Saint Catherine and her wheel

Sir Edwards Ferrers with his 3 sons - all kneeling and another heraldic shield.

This shield has 32 quarters showing alliances between the Ferrers family and many important families.

St George slaying the dragon.

This altar tomb contains the remains of Sir Edward Ferrers (1465 - 1535) and his wife Constance, daughter of Nicholas Brome.

I did keep an eye out for Spotted Flycatchers in the churchyard as they have been seen here in previous years but I had no success so I walked back down the path to the house.

I walked around the lake which is surrounded by woodland and

saw my first Mallard ducklings of the year.

The kitchen garden

The Walled Garden

I had a look round the second hand bookshop, plant sales and National Trust shop but for once I didn't make any purchases. Then into the tea room for a cherry muffin (a bit dry!) and a cup of hot chocolate before returning home.