The Norman Parish church of Aston Eyre

While out in the Shropshire countryside on the way back from our fabulous walk at Dudmaston Hall, we passed the village church of Aston Eyre, one we had not stopped at before. 

There are no graves around the church which is quite unusual  but apparently a dispute between The Lord of the Manor, Fitz Aer & the Monks of Shrewsbury Abbey at Morville Priory resulted in all the burials taking place at Morville.   

Knowing nothing of the church, we ventured inside. 

The lovely church information brochures filled us in on the history which always makes the visits more worthwhile because you look out for the details you would otherwise miss.  It is a grade II listed building, much of it dating back to C12. 

There has been a church here for almost 900 years - let that time period sink in. The church was gifted to the villagers of Eston by the Lord of the Manor. Robert Fitz Aer in 1132. At that time, King Stephen was on the throne & there was great civil unrest in the area. 

The small church was taken over by the Benedictine Priory at Morville & used as a Chapel of Ease for the monks living there. 

It became a village church again in the time of Henry VIII who put an end to the power of the monasteries.

The Tympanum over the South Door of the Church is the best example of Norman (1066) carving in Shropshire. It depicts Christs entry in to Jerusalem. He is seen riding on an ass, to his left a bearded man with a young ass, to his right an older man spreading out palm branches. 

The South Door with its long iron hinges has the date 1636 on one of them. It is an impressive door, solid & you appreciate how many thousands of parishioners have passed through it. 

 The Nave has four Norman windows, and an impressive Transitional Chancel arch. 

It is a really peaceful space that has seen worship for almost 900 years, the sense of history is humbling. 

I am so pleased that we did this unexpected stop & could appreciate this space. 

I hope you have enjoyed the visit with me. 

Dee 🙏⛪️🔔

The charming church of Clee St Margaret with an long history ...

My regulars know how much we love the history of our many countryside churches, each so different, many Shropshire ones connected to my ancestry. 

We stopped by Clee St Margaret, a village on the high slopes of Brown Clee Hill in Shropshire. 

From the road it looked unremarkable but as soon as you approach, the history stands out. 

The chancel walls facing the path have the herringbone masonry patterns associated with ancient buildings. 

It is very distinctive on two sides, showing this part is the oldest of the church. 

  

The beautiful church information booklet mentions it is recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 which was a type of census recording of towns, villages, villagers, livestock etc. 

The earliest known reference to a church at Clee St Margaret was the taxation records of 1291. 

There was likely a church here from Saxon times even though no trace is visible today. 

The Chancel with its herringbone masonry could be Saxon, but the small chancel arch is Norman, with pillars that support the pointed arch. A Saxon arch would be rounded, hence the Norman dating. 

There are so many features that are considered with the dating of churches & I admit to having only a scant knowledge of them, not enough to pin point the dates. However, it is a learning process & each visit brings something else to be aware of which is useful.

The war memorial tablet is in the window - the details of the fallen of the parish are here 

The wooden South door is about 600 years old, probably Norman too. The roof of the chancel & nave has timbers dating to the 14th & 15th century, probably local timbers from the Brown Clee forests. It is a listed building 

The pulpit & chancel doors are Jacobean (1603-1625) . The carved wooden chancel doors are unique, giving the chancel area a secular feel, away from the main church. The thick walls of the chancel have an interesting shape. 

We were both taken by the serene atmosphere in this unexpectedly spiritual space. Sometimes churches that are stripped back without too many adornments hold a special space & feeling. 

We lingered here, taking in the quietness & the feeling of history, of peace and of being somewhere special. 

The church had various Victorian 'restorations' done in 1872 - 1897 but it has not distracted from this beautiful space. 

Sometimes, we find ourselves in unexpected spaces. Thank you for stopping by. It is always appreciated. 

Dee ⛪️🪦🙏🔔