Church of St Nicholas, Beaudesert, Henley in Arden

1 Chancel, nave and W tower. A fine example of the mid 12th century, but has suffered alterations of a peculiar nature. It preserves most of the original chancel walls, a fine chancel arch, and a much restored doorway now in the S wall. 15th century W tower built almost wholly S of the original axis of the nave. For some unknown reason the nave N wall was subsequently removed and the present N wall erected, perhaps in the late 16th century, some 1.5 or 1.8m within the position of the old wall, encroaching directly on the N respond of the chancel arch. Possibly this reduction in width of the nave was to provide a smaller span for the roof. The chancel lost its original vaulting and the nave, which probably had a range of upper windows, was reduced in height. The lower part of the S wall does not appear to have been much disturbed but the doorway is set in a greater thickness than the wall and it is probable that it was originally in a thick W wall and was reset by the builder of the tower. The church was restored in 1865, when the chancel was again provided with vaulting. 15th century font.
2 Plan of the church.
3 Photographs of the exterior and interior.
4 Unsafe ground suggested as reason for shifting the nave N wall, also for the unusual position of the tower and the provision for it later of a large N buttress.
7 Photographed in 1979.
8 Photograph of the lych gate.