As mentioned in the last post the church of St Michael and All Angels, Kingsland, was built in the late 1300's.
The small chantry chapel to the east of the north porch is known as the Volka chapel. There is a tomb recess with an empty stone coffin which you can't really see at the moment as it was covered with a display.
It is not known who built the chapel or why it was named the Volka chapel but one suggestion is that it could be the chantry chapel for one of the Mortimer younger sons who were vicars here. Walter could be the likely candidate and the name Volka is a corruption of his name.
Following the Battle of Mortimer Cross Edward IV (formerly Earl of March) founded two chantry chapels in Kingsland church one for "Our Lady" and the other for St Katherine to pray for the souls of those lost in the battle. Prayers are still said every year in the Volka chapel.
And then into the church to see the flowers.
Around the font was a Teddy Bear's Picnic. Timothy wanted to join in!
The roof in the chancel dates back to Bodley's Restoration in 1866-68. He also designed the pulpit and lectern.
The Chancel
Tiles by Godwin
A memorial plaque to members of the Gethin family who died in sad circumstances. John Gethin who was an architect was only 30, his wife Emily 25 and the children 4 and 2, nurse Eliza Preston and friend Jemima Peace had travelled to Africa in September 1895 in the hope it would improve Mrs Gethin's health. They were sailing home on the steamship Drummond Castle and as they were approaching an island off the Brittany coastline the ship hit rocks and sank in just 3 minutes. Only two members of crew and 1 first class passenger survived.
The East Window contains some C14th glass bearing a coat of arms associated with Maud de Braose.
I loved this display featuring many books on Herefordshire. I have a few of them and its given me ideas of more to look out for! In fact it could have been embarrassing because at first I thought they were books for sale and was about to start grabbing quite a few when D said don't do that its a display!
Plain octagonal font from around 1400.
Old bell clappers
List of past rectors of the church including two of the younger Mortimer sons who were rectors here in the early 1300's.
Some of the lovely kneelers.
I was so glad we had made the effort to go as the flower displays were beautiful and it was a church I had wanted to visit for some time. We had a slice of banana loaf cake before driving home.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. I don't particularly rate most of my photos but if anyone wishes to use one I would be grateful for an email first - thanks.
Reference:
"Tales from Herefordshire Graves and Burials" Nicola Goodwin Logaston Press 2005
"Buildings of England Herefordshire" by Nikolaus Pevsner and Alan Brooks Yale University Press 2012
On the Trail of the Mortimers by Philip Hume Logaston Press
"Churches of Herefordshire and Their Treasures" by John Leonard Logaston Press
