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14th century Ashleworth preaching cross, on the green

Ashleworth

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The village
Ashleworth is located in northern Gloucestershire, on the west bank of the River Severn, in that rather forgotten section between the Forest of Dean to the west and the north Cotswolds to the east.

The village was mentioned in the Domesday Book, at which time it was called Escelesworde, which translates loosely as Aescel's farmstead, or enclosure. After the Norman Conquest the manor was held by the Earls of Berkeley, but in the 12th century Robert Fitzharding, the earl at that time, gifted Ashleworth to the Abbey of Bristol. Henry VIII later gave the manor to the Bishop of Gloucester. Today Ashleworth is a prosperous looking place, with a pub, modern houses, and a fair number of older cottages of Cotswold stone around a large green. The village itself is on a rise, quite some way away from the ancient parish church of Saints Andrew and Bartholomew.

Ashleworth Tithe Barn, built between 1485 - 1515

Sts Andrew and Bartholomew Church
The church is tucked away behind a medieval tithe barn (see below). The church is primarily 12th and 13th century, with later remodelling, but the origins are pure Saxon. Much of the north wall is built of striking Saxon herringbone stonework. The interior features one of the earliest known examples of a royal coat of arms over the south chapel; this dates from the reign odf Edward VI or, possibly, Elizabeth I.

Ashleworth Tithe Barn
Beside the church is a huge medieval tithe barn, now in the care of the National Trust. The barn was built in the period 1481 - 1515 by Abbot Newland of Bristol Abbey, and is composed of ten bays. The interior roofing is a wonderful example of medieval timber framing.

The Preaching Cross
A 14th century preaching cross stands upon a three-step plinth on the village green. Preaching crosses were put up to designate a place where traveling monks or other religious officials would preach. They are often found at crossroads or other open spaces providing good access to local inhabitants in the late Saxon and medieval periods. Though the Ashleworth example is called a 'cross', it is really more of a simple column with a four sided top which has been carved with religious scenes. The cross was lost for many years until it was found hidden in a chimney in one of the cottages that line the green. The scenes carved upon the cross are thought to represent Mary and John, a Virgin and Child, St Augustine, and Robert Fitzharding, founder of Bristol Abbey.

Edward VI royal coat of arms in the parish church

Historic Buildings
Apart from the church and tithe barn, Ashleworth has a number of interesting older buildings, which are, unfortunately, not generally open to the public. These include Ashleworth Court, built in 1460, and still retaining its great hall, Ashleworth Manor (1460), a half-timbered manor house once owned by the Abbot of Bristol, and Foscombe House, a Victian Gothic fantasy constructed by Thomas Fulljames.

Getting there
Ashleworth is located on a minor road just off the A417 about 3 miles north of Gloucester. The church and tithe barn are located to the east of the village, and are signposted from the village green.

Details
Ashleworth
Gloucestershire
England

Location: On a minor road off the A417 3 miles north of Gloucester
OS SO810260

Photos of Ashleworth >>

Related:
Ashleworth Saxon church
Ashleworth Tithe Barn

I'd like to express my appreciation for the excellent booklet 'Notes on the History and Architecture of Ashleworh Church' upon which much of the information in this article is based.