More information : [SJ 8461 6152] St. Mary's Church [T.U.]
[SJ 8463 6156] Tombs [G.T.]
[SJ 8460 6155] Sundial [T.I.] (1)
The present church of Astbury, which is mainly of the 14th and
15th centuries, and occupies the site of the original Saxon one
The first church was replaced circa 1250 by an Early English
building, which was reconstructed between 1370-80. (2)
Tombs: A 13th c. memorial of four effigies. The central figures
are those of a knight and his lady lying side by side. The altar
tomb on which they rest is surmounted by a canopy. To the south
is the figure of a knight in armour on an altar tomb of similar
design but without a canopy. On the north of the canopied tomb
is the effigy of an ecclesiastic. The effigy forms the covering
for the stone coffin beneath.
Cross - It is highly probable that the sundial is none other
than the churchyard cross converted. (3)
The church is in normal use.
The Tombs are as described. They are of weathered stone.
Only two of them are shown on the published survey (25" 1909) See
G.P. AO/62/2/5.
The sundial is set on a squat shaft which is of different stone
from the plain octagonal socket stone and calvary which acts as
its base. These appear to be the remains of a churchyard cross -
See G.P AO/62/2/6. (4)
The Canopied Tomb of the Venables family (circa 1350). (5)
Church of St Mary. 12th century with late 13th, early 14th and 15th
century additions and alterations. Romanesque, Early English, Decorated (Curvilinear) and Perpendicular. Grade 1. (6)
In the 1530s pilgrimage offerings were stolen from the Church of Our Lady (presumably St Mary's Church) indicating that this church was the focus of pilgrimage or stood on a longer pilgrims route. (7) |