Information for record number MWA1218:
Church of St Nicholas, Beaudesert, Henley in Arden

Summary The Church of St Nicholas which was originally built during the Medieval period. It is situated 300m south east of the police station, Henley in Arden.
What Is It?  
Type: Church
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Beaudesert
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 15 66
(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: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Chancel, nave and W tower. A fine example of the mid 12th century, but has suffered alterations of a peculiar nature. It preserves most of the original chancel walls, a fine chancel arch, and a much restored doorway now in the S wall. 15th century W tower built almost wholly S of the original axis of the nave. For some unknown reason the nave N wall was subsequently removed and the present N wall erected, perhaps in the late 16th century, some 1.5 or 1.8m within the position of the old wall, encroaching directly on the N respond of the chancel arch. Possibly this reduction in width of the nave was to provide a smaller span for the roof. The chancel lost its original vaulting and the nave, which probably had a range of upper windows, was reduced in height. The lower part of the S wall does not appear to have been much disturbed but the doorway is set in a greater thickness than the wall and it is probable that it was originally in a thick W wall and was reset by the builder of the tower. The church was restored in 1865, when the chancel was again provided with vaulting. 15th century font.
2 Plan of the church.
3 Photographs of the exterior and interior.
4 Unsafe ground suggested as reason for shifting the nave N wall, also for the unusual position of the tower and the provision for it later of a large N buttress.
7 Photographed in 1979.
8 Photograph of the lych gate.
 
Sources

Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1960
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
   
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: 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: 8
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Let's Look at Lych-gates
Author/originator: Randall, Dick and Jean
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: PJA
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 805
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 15SE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 15SE2
   
Images:  
St Nicholas' Church, Beaudesert
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
St Nicholas' Church, Beaudesert
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2000
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
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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monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. 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 LYCH GATE * A covered gateway, at the entrance to a churchyard, where during a funeral a coffin could be set down until the vicar arrived. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FONT * A vessel, usually made of stone, which contains the consecrated water for baptism. Use a broader monument type if possible. back
monument POLICE STATION * The office or headquarters of a local police force, or of a police district. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record