Gloucestershire Travel Guide
- St Andrew and Bartholomew Church, Ashleworth A personal guide to Historic churches
in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
Beginnings
The parish church of Ashleworth is located some distance from the current village,
down in a hollow on the banks of the Severn. Immediately behind the church
is a massive medieval tithe barn, built by an abbot of Bristol Abbey in the
late 15th century. It is sobering to think that when the tithe barn was being
built, the church behind it was already a historic relic over 500 years old.
There has been a church here since at least Saxon times. When you first
enter the church via the north door, turn back and look closely at the north
wall. Here you will some some superb Saxon stonework in a traditional herringbone
pattern.
Saxon herringbone stonework in
the north wall
The church as we see it today is composed of a west tower with a short spire,
nave, chancel, two vestries, south chapel and south aisle. The oldest part
to be seen is the Saxon stonework in the north wall. Also in the north wall
is what appears to be a Saxon doorway, filled in to make room for a Norman
door. The chancel and chancel arch are 13th century.
Royal Coat of Arms
Aside from the Saxon stonework, the most interesting aspect of the church
can be found in the south aisle. Here, occupying the space above the south
chapel, is one of the earliest known examples of a royal coat of arms to be
found in an English church. The arms, including the initials ER, and the likeness
of a Tudor rose, are very richly painted and clear. What is not clear, however,
is whether the ER refers to Edward VI or Elizabeth I. Roods, or crosses, were
banned by Edward VI in 1548, and royal arms were often erected in place of
a rood. These early coats of arms were removed when Queen Mary tried
to take England back to Roman Catholicism, only to be replaced when Elizabeth
came to the throne. Given all this to-ing and fro-ing, it is not surprising
that coats of arms of Edward VI are very rare.
Detail of the Royal Coat of Arms
over the south chancel. It is one of the earliest such coat of arms
in England.
The Ashleworth Coat of Arms was stored for many years on
the west wall of the south aisle. When it was restored to its present location
a small roundel, or painted crest was found. This roundel is painted with
an inscription from St Peter. The west door beneath the roundel is traditionally
known as Death's Door, for it was here that coffin-bearers entered and left
the church.
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