Blanche Parry

Other Nearby Places To Visit

Bacton Church: St.Faith (like Dorstone)

The earliest dedication at Bacton was to Saint Foi, a disciple of the 6th century Bishop Dubricius (or Dyfrig), who came to be equated with Saint Faith of Conques in France in the Medieval period.
The present Church is mainly 13th century with 14th‐15th century alterations and a tower that is mostly 16th century.
The steps in the wall to this Screen, which divided the chancel from the nave, can still be seen.

Bacton has a number of unique features, the most notable of which is the monument commissioned for herself by Blanche Parry, the confidante of Queen Elizabeth I. This is securely dated to before November 1578 and so is the earliest known representation of the Queen as an icon, as Gloriana.
Opposite the door is a copy of the Bacton Altar Cloth, proved to be part of a dress worn by Queen Elizabeth I. The original is in Hampton Court Palace. See: Bacton Altar Cloth

Bacton also owns a pre–Reformation chalice and paten (kept in Hereford Cathedral).
The repaired, late 15th century choir stalls have a tiny carved Parry coat‐of‐arms and were probably designed to match the now lost Rood Screen. The date suggests they were commissioned by Blanche Parry's parents. This Church was the mausoleum, or burial place, for Blanche's family.
Amongst the other interesting memorials are two tablets from the 1914–1918, First World War. Carved on these are coloured, military ribbon decorations, which are very rare features on such memorial stones.

The stained‐glass is modern. The early stained‐glass showing Blanche's father and her grandparents can be seen in the Gallery
Available in the Church is a guide and, until all sold, the book/calendar 'Blanche Parry & Queen Elizabeth I'.
The hall adjacent to the Church, when open, has toilet facilities. It stands on the site of the Medieval ale‐house. As the Medieval maypole stood in the parking area, we can imagine the fun that was had on festive occasions...

Kilpeck Church: St. Mary & St. David

is a jewel, described as 'one of the most perfect Norman village churches in England...' (Pevsner)

The graveyard was originally rounded denoting an even older religious site. The earlier bank can be traced on the north, behind the Church. It was evidently an important and ancient site.
A charter, dated c.850 AD, in the Book of Llandaff, records the gift of the Church with a surrounding estate to Bishop Crecielis. It is described as the cil, or retreat cell, of Pedic in Ergyng, the old name for this area in south Herefordshire. This suggests an earlier dedication to an unknown Saint Pedic.
The present building, in red sandstone, is a typical lay‐out of nave, chancel and apse of c.1134‐1145, though it may incorporate some Saxon masonry. The builder, Hugh de Kilpeck, was the lord who lived in the castle with his family and retainers.
Later King John stayed in the castle to hunt in Trivel Forest, see: King John & Dore Abbey.
The Church's glory is the wealth of decoration, all originally painted. It is the prime surviving example of the Herefordshire School of Sculpture. Much of it seems was made about the time the Church was given to the Benedictine Abbey of Gloucester in 1143. A priory of this abbey was nearby.

The chancel arch and the entrance doorway are wonderfully carved. Note the two soldiers guarding the entrance. They are wearing the typical padded, quilted, gambeson of the medieval soldier. These padded tunics have been shown to be useful against all but a direct arrow or blow.
The sculptures on the south doorway, chancel arch and west window are magnificent. The many marvellous 86 carved corbels, include a 'sheela-na-gig', probably a fertility symbol. This was missed, perhaps covered with ivy, when other 'improper' corbels were sheared off, probably in the 19th century.
An interesting suggestion is that there could be a link between this Church and Hereford's annual May Fair. 'The richly decorated church was built around 1140, just 20 years after Hereford's May Fair Charter, and is regarded as a masterpiece of the 12th century Herefordshire School of stonemasons. The figure playing a rebec, an ancient stringed instrument, is one of a group of corbels believed to represent The Fair. The others depict a ram, a bear, a tumbler, two wrestlers and a greased pig.' (Downie 2021)
The massive font, is Norman or earlier. The Church also still has its original plug (not in the Church).
The gallery is c.17th century.
The Church stands between the remains of Kilpeck Castle and the six acre deserted medieval village whose main road still serves as an access road to the Church. Earthworks from these medieval village houses lie on both sides of the access road.
The ditch on the west of the Church is the castle moat. The new graveyard beyond was excavated before modern internments took place as it lies inside the castle area.
More examples of Romanesque Sculpture from the Herefordshire School are in nearby Rowlestone Church, and in the Churches of Eardisley, Shobdon, Castle Frome, and in Rock, Worcestershire.