Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a parish church dating back to the 12th century, with substantial alterations and additions in the 13th, 15th, and 19th centuries. It is constructed of flint rubble with Roman brick and stone dressings, and has a red plain tile roof.

The 12th-century nave was raised in the 15th century. The north wall originally contained two window openings, and now incorporates two restored 15th-century windows. A 19th-century window is located on the south side. The 14th-century south doorway is now blocked. The chancel, dating to the 13th century, has a late 15th-century east window. There are arcades, one dating to the 13th century on the south side and one from the 19th century on the north side. An organ chamber and vestry were added in 1881 by the Countess of Warwick, incorporating a partly restored 15th-century north window. A 15th-century south chapel features two 19th-century south windows.

The west tower, also from the 15th century, is of two stages with a south-east stair turret and embattled parapet. It contains a late 15th-century tower arch, and the original stair doorway and door remain. A 19th-century west doorway has been added. The nave has a 19th-century crown post roof. A wrought iron screen, made from gates previously belonging to Easton Lodge, separates the nave from the south chapel, dating to the early 18th century.

The church interior contains a late 12th-century wall painting of a seated prophet, and 15th-century depictions of stories from the Passion, both located in the nave. A painted coat of arms of Charles II, dated 1660, is also present. 17th-century stained glass by Baptista Sutton is among the church’s fixtures. A brass memorial is dedicated to Robert Fyn, dating to circa 1420.

Against the north wall of the chancel stands a monument from circa 1400 to Eleanor Bouchier, featuring a cusped panelled front with shields of arms, a moulded plinth and slab, a two-centred cinquefoiled arch with a crocketed and finialed ogee label, buttressed and crocketted side pinnacles, and a small mid-13th century effigy of a knight in mail armour. In the south arcade of the chancel is a late 15th-century monument to Henry and Isabel Bouchier, a canopied altar tomb made of Purbeck marble with panelled and traceried sides and ends, eight plain shields, and brasses depicting a man in plate armour with the Garter and mantle of the Order, and a woman with a short sideless gown. The south (Bouchier-Maynard) Chapel contains an alabaster reclining figure of Lady Maynard, dating to 1613, and a monument with two reclining figures on a tomb chest with large kneeling figures of children. A late 17th-century standing wall monument with life-size figures in Roman costume, an urn between them, is believed to be the work of Pearce. A monument dating to 1746, by Charles Stanley, commemorates Lord Maynard and his family, featuring a central figure of Lord Maynard musing against an urn, a portrait of his wife, busts or relief medallions of other family members, and reliefs representing Justice, Charity, and Fortitude. A bust of Frances, Countess of Warwick, dating to circa 1938 is also present. Two elaborate carved headstones are set against the west wall of the south chapel.