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14th century Ashleworth
preaching cross, on the green
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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.
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Ashleworth Tithe Barn, built
between 1485 - 1515
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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.
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Edward VI royal coat of arms
in the parish church
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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. |
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