Not much I can find on this church other than it is Norman but was restored in 1865. It contains the 16th-century Knollys Chapel, which houses an ornate tomb of the Knollys family. This includes effigies of Sir Francis Knollys and his wife, who was lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I.
The entrance to the church & churchyard through the Lychgate
Above viewing the church from the North East end.
Left the Kollys chapel which stands out on the North side
The West end of the church
Stitch photo from the West end
Left looking towards the porch.
Right the West window
The new extension on the South side of the church
Above the bellcote
Left the South side of the church
Above looking from the East and left the East window and Knolls chapel
The churchyard by the West end of the church
More of the West end churchyard
There are quite a few family tombs here on the West end of the church
Along with the war grave of G.E. Makins MC.
Left one of the many crosses you can see around the churchyard
Some of the family tombs you can see
Looking west in the churchyard
Crosses marking the graves of a family
Roger Fulford-Dobson who was a Master Mariner
Above Sergeant A.A.G.Atkins of the Royal Airforce.
Right the East end of the churchyard
Looking west along the churchyard
Above the churchyard and church
Above as cast grave marker still in good condition.
Right some of the older headstones
On the east end you can also see a few large chest tombs
They must belong to wealth family's
Group of differing headstones
Couple of tombs near the church
The far tome is on a large plot making quite a family vault
Another old chest tomb on the North side
Stone in Memory of Brigadier Geoffrey Gamble and his wife Diana Holland Gamble
Coming into the church you find a long nave leading to a chancel
Left the chancel arch
Right the altar and chancel window
Left the chancel arch
Right the altar and chancel window
Unusual feature is the light up cross on the back of the altar
Turn around and you get a good view of the lit up church organ which was added after the memorials on either side were put up and also hides a stained glass window
Above the pulpit and left a view down the nave from it
Along the nave are a lot of very nice stained glass windows
They all seem to depict scenes from the bible
and are very beautiful
Most seem to be in memory of of a prominent local
This barred window looks out to a tomb in the churchyard.
Right a risen Christ is another memorial window
This one looks very pre-Raphaelite
At the back in a place of honour is a First World War Grave marker of Capt G Makins
Nearby one of the poppies from the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
The two partly hidden memorial at the back of the church
Memorial to Colonel Howell Davis
One to Hubert Blake Hodson
This one is to rev Sir Frances Jarvis Stapleton Bart from greys Court along the road
Left a couple to members of the Ovey family
Right one to members of the Grote Family
This magnificent church brass is before the altar and I failed to find out who it was
Above the Church font, which is a square tubed one
Above the two chandeliers you can see in the chancel
Beside which you can see the Knolls Chapel
The chapel contained the remains of Sir Frances and Lady Katherine
On the side you see are seven daughters, I do know there are seven sons on the other side
On the tomb you can see the Effigies of the parents and note beside the Lady Katherine is a Baby, it is thought she had 14 possibly 16 children.
The whole tomb is very impressive and from the look topped by the couple praying
Either side of the chapel are window with from the look Elizabethan stained glass
I will leave you this week with a view of the couple in repose.
I really liked seeing the chapel but as it was locked could not go inside but I do intend to go back and visit again and get permission to go inside.
Have a good weekend
12 comments:
...Bill, I find it interesting that it was restored in 1865, that is a period here when many things were be built. The cast iron marker is great.
I'm fascinated by the Knollys family and the connection in that area (Great Knollys Street in Reading etc.) and keep meaning to visit the church at Rotherfield Greys and Greys Court when we pass by on our way to Reading.I don't think either is always open. Thank you for sharing your many photos. So much to see, ancient and contemporary features. The Knollys tomb is very interesting and so are the many other memorials, gravestones. The iron grave marker is interesting to see. The ceramic poppy attached to the memorial is moving.
Now that is a connection I never thought about. Greys Court is well worth visting
Thank you for posting the photos of Knolls Chapel and St Nicholas Church. I am a descendant of Sir Francis Knollys and Lady Catherine Carey. My Knowles line ended up in Florida, USA. So of course, no visiting in person. I'm glad I can finally see photos.
I mean to go back sometime to visit the chapel itself. The house where they live is worth the visit
Last night I watched an episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?” With Comedian Josh Widecombe who is also descended from the Knollys. If you are able to access BBC tv programmes I think you would find it very interesting.
Accidentally replied to the person above re. Knollys family - thought it would interest you.
No worry, I did see part of the program last night but changed channels, I might have another look in Iplayer
I visited the church yesterday but couldn't get a good photo of the Knollys tomb. Would you mind if I put one of yours on my Facebook page to go with photos of the walk?
No problem but mention it was off mu blog or link it
I think that this is the bronze in the church … (I live on Greys Road, quite close to the church and am an occasional attendee at the monthly coffee mornings.
(Delightful cake and company!)
“Robert, 5th Baron, followed in the Line of de Grey Soldier Knights and after his death, in 1387, he was commemorated on a Brass Memorial Plate at Rotherfield Greys Church, in which he is depicted in full Knightly apparel with Armour & Sword.”
Just to mention that Lady Knollys (Catherine Carey) is buried in Westminster Abbey. She was first cousin to Elizabeth, and possibly her half-sister. She was the daughter of Mary Boleyn and born while her mother was Henry VIII’s mistress. Her father was said to be Mary’s husband, William Carey.
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