Naunton

An Overview

This little place has an air of peace and tranquillity about it that to me at least is wonderfully attractive. The little village square is dominated by an enormous tree, filled with rooks. At this time of year, they are extremely noisy. I am not sure I would like to live in the old centre of this village even though the houses and cottages are beautiful. I suppose you just must get used to the racket.

The church is probably 12c in origin, but what we see is almost all late perpendicular, so 15th century onwards. The three-stage tower is a fine example with buttresses on the lower stages and gargoyles, battlements and pinnacles with carved heads. There are two sundials painted on the walls south and west.

The churchyard is beautifully kept, neat but not too manicured, loved but not smothered.

Naunton

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Inside the font is octagonal as usual with decorations 4 leafed flowers, and tracery oddly similar to the North window in the north isle. The choir space was created during a restoration in 1899.

There is an interesting marble tablet, highly decorated, to Ambrose Oldys, (son of Dr William Oldys barbarously murdered by ye rebels in 1645) who died with better fortune for he escaped many and eminent dangers in battles fought for ye honour and service of his king.

The church’s greatest treasure however is its pulpit. It is beautifully carved in stone in the late 15th century with lovely canopied panels and elegant tracery. What a pleasure it must be to preach from such a position.

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