Information for record number MWA1022:
Holy Trinity Church, Old Town, Stratford upon Avon

Summary Holy Trinity, a Medieval church with later additions and alterations, possibly on the site of an earlier monastery (MWA1026). The church contains Shakespeare's monument. It is situated 200m north of Lucy's Mill, Stratford upon Avon.
What Is It?  
Type: Church, Transept, Tower, Nave, Arcade, Aisle, Chancel, Clerestory, Porch, Spire
Period: Modern - Modern (1200 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 20 54
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

5
9 Anglican church. Early 13th century transepts, crossing and lower stage of the tower are in the Early English style. The early 14th century upper stages of the tower, nave, arcades and aisles are in the Decorated style, and the late 15th century chancel, clerestory, panelled battlements, north porch and the west end of the nave are Perpendicular. The spire was added in 1763 by William Hiorn of Warwick, designed by Timothy Lightoler. The church was restored in 1836-7 and 1839-41 by the Worcester architect Harvey Eginton, and in 1884-98 by George Frederick Bodley and Thomas Garner. 20th and 21st century alterations, repairs and additions. Not included in the listing is the 21st century single-storey extension parallel to the south aisle.
1 Plan of the church of Holy Trinity. Chancel, central tower, North and South transepts, nave, North and South aisles and North porch. The nave is deflected considerably to the North of the axial line of the other parts of the church.
2 Description: The earliest features are the early 13th century transepts and the upper parts of the tower. The tower was reconstructed circa 1310, the nave and North aisle widened and rebuilt circa 1320 and the South aisle rebuilt by 1331. The next period of extensive alteration was in the late 15th century; the chancel was rebuilt, as were the clearstorey and West end of the nave, into which the great West window was inserted. The North porch was added probably at this time. The stone spire was built by William Hiorn of Warwick in 1763 and is said to have replaced a wooden spire. There was a building, removed in 1799, North of the chancel resembling somewhat the chapels still existing at Solihull church. It was of two or three storeys, the lowest being vaulted and half below ground, and it became known as the Charnel House from the subsequent usage of the crypt. The chamber above may well have been a vestry or sacristy. The chancel screen of circa 1500 and the original stalls and desks in the chancel survive. Monument of William Shakespeare (d 1616). The Lady Chapel at the East end of the North aisle became the burial place of the Clopton family and contains eight monuments, the earliest of 1496.
4 The South aisle is connected with the foundation of a college by John de Stratford, later Bishop of Winchester, in 1331 and has its original ceiling with bosses. Chancel built by Dean Balshall (d 1491), the clerestorey and North porch probably by his successor, Dean Collingwood (d 1521 or 1522). church restored by Bodley and Garner in 1888-92 and again in 1898.
7 Three small trial pits were excavated against the south side of the aisle, Holy Trinity church; all found re-interred human remains from as little as 0.3m below ground level. Intact burials were found at c.1.2m deep in two trenches. The base of the aisle footing was found at c.1.4m below ground in the westernmost trench.
8 In 2015 an excavation to the south of the church revealed some of the foundations of the church and a number of structural elements of the church, such as decorative stonework and window glass were recovered.
10 The church stands on te site of a medieval church, but it currently dates to the 13th-14th century in its present form.
 
Sources
Source No: 8
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: Archaeological investigation at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
Author/originator: Mann A & Weston G
Date: 2016
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report Ref 2329
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Symbols of Status in Medieval Warwickshire (1000-1500)
Author/originator: Hook D
Date: 2014
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 117
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 3, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1945
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 3
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 3, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1945
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 3
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 3, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1945
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 3
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1947
Page Number: 2
Volume/Sheet: Warwick
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: Church of the Holy Trinity, Old Town, Stratford-on-Avon: Archaeological Report on Trial Trenching
Author/originator: Tavener, N
Date: 2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 47SW
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP47SWM
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument SACRISTY * A place for keeping vestments and sacred vessels. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CRYPT * A vault, often located under a chancel or chancel aisle, containing an altar and usually used for burial. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument LADY CHAPEL * A chapel dedicated to our Blessed Lady, often placed to the east of the High Altar, sometimes in other positions. back
monument MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument VESTRY * A room or part of a church where the vestments, vessels and records are kept. back
monument WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument COLLEGE * An establishment, often forming part of a university, for higher or tertiary education. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument CHAPEL * A freestanding building, or a room or recess serving as a place of Christian worship in a church or other building. Use more specific type where known. back
monument BURIAL * An interment of human or animal remains. Use specific type where known. If component use with wider site type. Use FUNERARY SITE for optimum retrieval in searches. back
monument HUMAN REMAINS * The unarticulated remains of the body of a human being. If articulated use inhumation. back
monument MONASTERY * Houses specifically of monks, canons or religious men but not friars. back
monument ANGLICAN CHURCH * Any church of the Anglican Communion. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record