Church of St Mary the Virgin, Astley

St Mary's Church, Astley | Warwickshire County Council
St Mary's Church, Astley
Warwickshire County Council
Description of this historic site

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin which was originally built during the Medieval period. It is situated 100m south west of Astley Castle.

Notes about this historic site

1 The nave was originally the choir of a collegiate church and is of late Decorated work. The W (formerly central) tower has a Decorated tower stage, the upper stage rebuilt 1608. 15th century carved wooden stalls, with painted panels, medieval effigies, Norman font and Jacobean pulpit.
2 Completely rebuilt in 1343 by Sir Thomas Astley as a collegiate church (see PRN 362, 6130 for more detail). The
present nave was the chancel of the collegiate church, the tower, transepts and nave having been demolished in 1607. At this time a W tower was erected along with a chancel, all in Gothic style. 15th century oak stalls with 9 seats on each side survive in the E end of the nave.
4 Description of internal fittings and wall paintings.
5 Photograph.
6 Excavations on the site of the north transept. This found the transept to be 14th century, an ivory figure (also 14th century) was recovered.
7 East-West wall and two Medieval floor tiles found by gravedigger to the north west of the present tower. The grave was abandonned and backfilled and a new one dug elsewhere. Plan to follow showing the exact location of the grave in relation to the standing masonary. Likely that this wall is the north wall of the original nave.
8 Copy of church leaflet for visitors.
9 North Transept excavation report. Undated.
10 Plan. Undated.

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