Back in Wales this week visiting St Ffraed, Llansantffraed which I have
driven past many times and have always wanted to stop off and look
around because you notice a huge tomb from the road as I had gone to the caravan to retrieve someting I left behind I stopped for a quick look around. I had hoped the church would be open but alas no.
St Ffraed looking up from the old road which is now a layby
History from Wikipedia
The church of St Ffraed is a Grade II listed building. It was largely restored in 1690 and was completely rebuilt in 1885 by the architect Stephen W. Williams.
The parish is the burial place of the poet Henry Vaughan (1621–1695), who was born in the hamlet of Scethrog within the parish. Vaughan's grave in the churchyard, on the slopes of a hill known as Allt yr Esgair or simply The Allt, overlooks the River Usk. The poets Siegfried Sassoon, Roland Mathias, Brian Morris and Anne Cluysenaar were all inspired to write poems by their visits to the grave. Sassoon's "At the Grave of Henry Vaughan" is the best-known of these and is read every year at the graveside following the Vaughan memorial service.
Another grave of note in the churchyard is a Grade II listed tomb erected for the Gwynne-Holford family, residents of nearby Buckland Hall (see below). The family included James Gwynne-Holford, Conservative Member of Parliament for Brecon (died 1886).
Vaughan's twin brother, Thomas Vaughan, became rector of Llansantffraed in about 1644. He was forced to vacate the position in 1650, on grounds that included his having been on the Royalist side during the English Civil War.
Thomas Vaughn is buried at St Helen, Albury which is a church I shall have to revisit
The church as you go in the churchyard
Going around the south side of the church
Porch and belltower, not often you see one on the south side
The doorway in, I go no further as it was locked, hopefully another time I will get inside
The belltower with similar door to the one in the porch
South east end
East end of the church
I was near this tomb chest
The churchyard nearby is well overgrown
North side looking east
Similar view looking east up the churchyard
South side looking east
The grave of Little Awbury who died in 1805
The word on this one are A Tribute of Love
This is the tomb you see from the road as you pass
I was stood about 4 foot away taking this photo leaning back to get it all in
It belongs to the Holford Family
At the top of the churchyard is a seat in area made into a patio, I did not take much notice till I read about the church when I got home
The seat faces this grave which belongs to the poet Henry Vaughn
He died in 1695
I find it remarkable his grave is in such good condition and the words still readable helped by the fact the pine needles lay in them outlining what it says
Information plaque about Henry Vaughn
Cropped out part you can read
This one is by the entrance
And cropped so you can read.
The Holford tomb and the church
I will leave you with this little rabbit I noticed in the shrubs
Till Next time may I wish you all a Peaceful Weekend
6 comments:
It's a really nice church yard. You found so many interesting things there to take pictures of.
I look ed up Henry Vaughn. Very interesting! Perhaps you can go into the church next time. I love the door!
What a shame the church was closed, but you did well around the churchyard, especially the Vaughan burial. When I saw the boy with the serpent around his neck, I knew I had seen that somewhere before and it was when I had visited Kinnersley castle, home to the Vaughans at one time. Then of course the Vaughans of Hergest Court - particularly Black Vaughan . . .
I absolutely love the quote you shared here that 'God breathes continually,' Billy. Indeed, He does! May we never forget that He is with us always as we visit these revered places of worship with you. Blessings!
A lovely church and churchyard - the bell tower looks quite unusual. I was very interested to read about Henry Vaughan. Such a shame the church was locked and I hope you can get inside another time.
Passing by that massive Holford family tomb right from the road has always made me want to pull over too, so it's great to finally see a close-up of it! It's such a bummer the church doors were locked, but finding Henry Vaughan’s grave with the pine needles naturally tracing out the letters is incredible, and you can totally feel why poets like Siegfried Sassoon were so deeply inspired visiting that exact hilltop overlooking the River Usk. Plus, spotting that little rabbit hiding in the shrubs at the very end is just the perfect finishing touch.
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