Details
GREAT BEDWYN CHURCH STREET
SU 26 SE
(south-east side)
11/82 Church of St Mary the Virgin
(formerly listed as the Parish
Church of St Mary)
22.8.66
I
Anglican parish church. Late C12, C13 and C14 and heavily restored
1853-5 by T.H. Wyatt. Flint with limestone dressings, stone tower
and putlog holes. Lead and tile roofs. Nave with aisles,
transepts, central tower, chancel and south vestry. Two light
windows to aisles, quatrefoil headed to north aisle, square headed
to south aisle, C14 but restored. Clerestory 2-light square headed
windows. Three-light east and west windows, both C19. Chancel C13
trefoiled lancets, walls part rendered. Vault of Ailesbury family
beneath east end. Tower of 2 stages, 2 light bell openings and
cusped openwork parapet. North-east stair tower of 1840, Greek
inscription on south aisle buttress and initials CA, II 1684, and
graffiti of cross-crosslets.
Interior: Nave of 4 bays, pointed Transitional arcade of bold
chevron and billet mouldings on square abaci and round columns, the
capitals strongly carved on a varied scalloped theme. Much
restored. Roofs throughout of 1853-5; to nave hammerbeam trusses
with carved cusping. Crossing of early C14, chamfered arches of
equal height and contemporary 2 bay transepts, said to be built by
Sir Adam de Stokke before 1313. Chancel replaces shorter chancel
known from excavation, 5 bays with C19 roof. C19 vestry.
Fittings: Font: high tub on clustered Purbeck shafts, 1854.
Pulpit: in crossing 1854. Limestone chequerwork with crocketed
gabled motifs and wooden pulpit in nave provided 1982. Organ in
south transept by T.W.Walker, 1888. Chancel screen, 1852, wrought
iron by J.Easeby of Collingbourne Ducis replacing orginal C14
screen of oak, now across north transept. Communion rail C19 and
encaustic tiles. In south transept, naturalistic carved piscina
and credence shelf with nodding crocketted ogee canopy, mid C14.
Nave, a mutilated figure of seated Queen of Heaven carved into east
respond of north arcade, said to be undamaged in 1860. Monuments:
Chancel: on north side, wall chest tomb with effigy, 1590,
limestone of Sir JOHN SEYMOUR, died 1530, father of Lord Protector
Somerset and grandfather to Jane Seymour, reset here from Easton
Royal priory in 1590. Pevsner says effigy is of 1530. Armoured,
with hands in prayer, resting on helm with carved wood wings, lion
at his feet and sword by his side. Above, dedicatory inscription
set in wall with gadrooning and arms with ribbons. Chest has
shields (restored), and much ribboning. Wall monument, 1706, black
and white marbles, to FRANCES DEVEREUX, Duchess of Somerset, died
1674 and daughter of Earl of Essex. Waisted table with 3 stages of
panels over surmounted by her bust. Naked angels at sides. S.
Transept: Wall tombs, pointed wave moulded arches, to left
containing cross legged knight holding shield and drawing sword.
Said to be Sir Adam de Stokke, builder of transepts. To right, his
son, Sir Roger de Stokke, died 1333, formerly with long footed
brass. Linear cusping at back. Wall tablet, 1862, white marble
sarcophagus on slate, to LOUISA POTTER. North Transept: 3 wall
tablets, white marble on slate, 1839 to WILLIAM GALE PIKE, 1829
WILLIAM PIKE, and 1879, to ELIZABETH LIDDERDALE. Nave has four C20
memorials. Brasses: Chancel, 1510, to JOHN SEYMOUR, eldest son of
Sir John. Devotional figure and inscription. Small brass, to Lord
BEAUCHAMP, inscribed BELLOCAMP' ERAM GRAIA GENETRICE SEMERVS TRES
HABVI NATOS, EST QVIBVS VNA SOROR. North Transept; THOMAS DOGESON,
vicar, 1501. Figured wallpaintings in north and south transepts,
discovered in 1842 and re-covered. Glass, some good Victorian
glass, including a window by Street, and in chancel, C16 yellow
stained glass with arms of Jane Seymour, badge of Prince of Wales,
Tudor rose and imperial crown, all brought from Wolf Hall in 1905.
(References: Pevsner, Sir N. Buildin s of England: WILTSHIRE.
ECCLESIOLOGIST, 14, 380 (1.10.1853 ; Church Guide.)
Listing NGR: SU2775964271
