The Church of St Nicholas in the village of Grosmont, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church dating from the 13th century. Its exceptional size reflects the importance and standing of the borough of Grosmont at the time of the church's construction and has led it to be called a "miniature cathedral". Largely unaltered from the time of its building, by the 19th century the church had seriously decayed and its tower was close to collapse. It was rescued from dereliction in a restoration undertaken by John Pollard Seddon and financed by John Etherington Welch Rolls.
Medieval Grosmont, with its stone castle founded by Hubert de Burgh in the 13th century[1] and site of the birth of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster in the early 14th century,[2] was an important medieval lordship. Cadw records that the scale of the "great cruciform church mark(ed) the important standing of Grosmont during the early medieval period.[3]
The church was constructed in the early 13th and the roof of the nave is datable to c.1232, making it the oldest scientifically datable roof in Wales.[4]Tree-ring dating of the timbers show that they were felled in the period 1214–1244, which confirms the exceptionally early date of the roof's construction.[5] It is considered "the only surviving pre-1400 church roof in Wales".[5] The nave remains largely unrestored, but the rest of the church is later.[6]
By the late 19th century the church was close to collapse and was saved through an extensive reconstruction in 1869–79 by J. P. Seddon.[7] The work was largely funded by John Etherington Welch Rolls of The Hendre, a local landowner and benefactor.[8]
The church remains an active church in the parish of Grosmont.[9] Morning prayers at held at the church each Tuesday, as are Sunday services.[10]
Architecture and description
The church is a "noble Early English building crowned by an octagonal Decorated tower and spire".[7] Simon Jenkins considers the "ambitious cruciform plan"[5] with octagonal tower to be "French" in inspiration.[11] Cadw notes the tradition that the architect was French, employed by Eleanor of Provence but records that this "has no documentary basis".[3]
The interior is "a shock to the modern visitor who encounters an uncluttered medieval interior dominated by the arcades and roof".[5] The unfurnished nave demonstrates the "strong early thirteenth century arcades to the full".[7] The architectural historian John Newman describes the font as "a strange piece, an octagonal bowl with a thick circular stem".[7] The choir stalls and the pulpit are 19th century.[7] A stained-glass window in the chancel commemorates John Etherington Welch Rolls.[7] In the transept is an unfinished memorial to a knight, dating from the late 13th or early 14th century, "a rare survival of great technical interest".[7]
The Church of St Bridget lies at the north end of the village of Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is an active parish church and a Grade I listed building. The church is dedicated to St Brigit, to whom 17 churches are dedicated across the country.
The Church of St Nicholas, Trellech, Monmouthshire is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. The historical and architectural evidence suggests that it was constructed largely in a single building period c.1300. The style is Decorated Gothic. The church was extended and repaired in the 18th century, and underwent two major reconstructions in 1893 and 1992. An "exceptionally fine and well preserved medieval church", it is a Grade I listed building. It remains an active parish church in the parish of Trellech and Penallt.
The Church of St Martin, Pen-y-clawdd, Monmouthshire, Wales is a parish church with Norman origins which was rebuilt in the 15th century. It is located on the site of an early Welsh defensive earthwork. The church was restored in 1884–85. It remains an active church in the parish of Llangovan with Pen-y-clawdd. It is a Grade II* listed building.
The Church of St Peter, Llanwenarth, Monmouthshire is a parish church with reported origins in the 6/7th centuries. The current building dates from the early 14th century. Rebuilt in the 19th century, it was listed Grade II* in 1956. It remains an active Church in Wales church in the parish of Llanwenarth Citra.
The Church of St Madoc, Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. A Grade II* listed building, the church remains an active parish church.
Pant-glas Farmhouse and its associated barn at Llanishen, Trellech, Monmouthshire date from the early 16th and 17th centuries respectively and are both Grade II* listed buildings.
The Church of St Cadoc, Llangattock Vibon Avel, Monmouthshire is a parish church of medieval origins which was heavily restored in the 19th century. The estate church of The Hendre, it is closely connected with the Rolls family and the grave of Charles Stewart Rolls, the motoring and aviation pioneer, is located in the churchyard. The church is a Grade II* listed building and is now in the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.
The Church of St Maughan in St. Maughans, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 13th or 14th century. It was reconstructed in the mid 19th century by John Pollard Seddon for John Etherington Welch Rolls of The Hendre in 1865. It remains an active parish church and is a Grade II* listed building.
The Church of St Michael, Llanfihangel Tor-y-Mynydd, Monmouthshire is a parish church with its origins in the 14th or 15th century. A Grade II* listed building, the church remains an active parish church.
The Church of the Holy Cross, Kilgwrrwg, Monmouthshire is an early medieval parish church that once supported a now abandoned village. A Grade II* listed building, the church remains an active parish church.
The Church of St Dingat in Dingestow, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church dating from the 14th century. It is dedicated to Saint Dingat or Dingad, a 5th-century Welsh saint. The church was almost completely rebuilt by Thomas Henry Wyatt in 1846 and further renovated by Richard Creed in 1887–1888. It is an active parish church and a Grade II* listed building.
The Church of St Catwg in Cwmcarvan, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church dating from the late 13th or early 14th century. It is dedicated to Saint Catwg or Cadoc, a 5th/6th-century Welsh saint. The existing building dates mainly from the 15th century, including its Tudor tower dating from 1525. The church was extensively restored by John Prichard in 1872–1879. It is an active parish church and a Grade II* listed building.
The Church of St Michael and All Angels, Llanvihangel-Ystern-Llewern, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 15th century. Renovations took place in the 19th century under the direction of Thomas Henry Wyatt. It is a Grade II* listed building and an active parish church.
The Church of St Elli, Llanelly, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a parish church with its origins in the 14th century. The church underwent three major restorations, in 1867–1868, 1897 and 1910–1911. It remains an active parish church.
Great Pool Hall, Llanvetherine, Monmouthshire is a mansion dating from the early 17th century. Its construction is unusual in that it is built around a timber frame, unlike the more common stone construction of houses of this date and location. It is a Grade II* listed building. The associated gate piers and garden walls, and the separate barn have their own Grade II listings.
Howick Farmhouse, in the hamlet of Howick, near Itton, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the mid-16th century. It is a Grade II* listed building. Its associated barns and stable block have their own Grade II listings.
Newhouse Farmhouse, Llanvetherine, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the late-16th century. It is a Grade II* listed building. Its associated barns and stable block have their own Grade II listings.
The Corn Barn, Stable and Cider House at Great Tre-Rhew Farm, Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouthshire form part of "one of the most completely surviving farmsteads in the county". Constructed in the late 17th century, the corn barn is an eight-bay structure with the stable and cider house forming two, gabled, linked additions. The whole is a Grade II* listed structure. The other buildings that comprise the farmstead include the farmhouse, a granary and brewhouse, and a shelter shed, all of which have their own Grade II listings.
Manor Farmhouse and Manor Cottage, Portskewett, Monmouthshire is a country house dating from early 17th century. The house is a Grade II* listed building.
Cwm Bwchel Farmhouse, Llanthony, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the late-Medieval period. It carries a date stone of 1694, which probably refers to a period of reconstruction. The farmhouse is Grade II* listed and a number of the ancillary buildings on the farmstead have their own Grade II listings.
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