Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a parish church dating back to the 15th century, originally comprising a chancel, nave, south aisle, and west tower. A north chapel, known as the Bedford Chapel, was added in 1556, rebuilt, and later enlarged in 1906. Extensive restoration and substantial rebuilding occurred in 1861 and 1887. The church is constructed of flint rubble with stone dressings. The west tower is two-stage with a south-east stair turret and an embattled parapet. The nave possesses a four-bay south aisle characterized by piers with four shafts and four hollows, supporting four-centred arches and 15th-century aisle windows. Arches lead north into the Bedford Chapel. A modern chancel arch is present. The arch into the Bedford Chapel features a panelled soffit and jambs dating to 1556. Stained glass windows include a 16th-century donor depicted in the east window and a 14th-century representation of St Andrew in the Bedford Chapel, along with another 16th-century saint. The Norman font is an enriched tub. Brasses from the 15th and 16th centuries are found within the nave. The Bedford Chapel houses a remarkable collection of monuments of significant quality and historical importance related to the Russell family, Earls and Dukes of Bedford. These include tombs and effigies commemorating John Russell, 1st Earl (1555) and his wife (1559); Lady Bridget (1600); Ann, Countess of Warwick (1604); Elizabeth, Lady Russell (1611); Lady Frances Bourchier (1612); the 2nd Earl (1619, by William Cure II); Lady Chandos (1623); the 4th Earl and his wife (1641 and 1653 – alabaster); the 5th Earl and 1st Duke of Bedford (1700), featuring marble Corinthian columns, oval portrait medallions, life-size seated figures, and a baldacchino; the 2nd Duke and Duchess (1769, by Joseph Wilton, designed by Sir William Chambers – white alabaster, depicting a youth and maiden separated by clouds with putti); Georgiana (1858, by Richard Westmacott the Younger – Gothic arch with foliage, a praying figure in profile); the 1st Earl Russell (1878); Odo, Baron Ampthill (1884, by Boehm); the 9th Duke (1891, by G E Fox, in a Jacobean style); Lord Arthur Russell (1892, by Alfred Gilbert, in an Art Nouveau style); and a 14th-century monument dedicated to a Cheyne and his wife, the latter’s effigy incomplete.