Information for record number MWA1900:
Church of St Nicholas, Radford Semele

Summary The Parish Church of St. Nicholas which has its origins in the Medieval period but which was largely rebuilt during the Imperial period. Several finds of Medieval date have been found in the churchyard. The church is situated 100m east of Radford Hall.
What Is It?  
Type: Church, Findspot, Tower, Rose Window
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Radford Semele
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 64
(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: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Chancel with north vestry, nave with north aisle and south porch, and west tower. The Medieval church was probably built early in the 12th century and enlarged in the 14th century, when the tower was added.
4
10 Parish church. Built early in 12th century and enlarged in 14th century when tower erected. However, practically entirely rebuilt in 1889 with the exeption of tower and south wall of the nave. The cost of this rebuilding (£2,200) was defrayed by John Francis-Greswolde-Williams, the patron of the living and lord of the manor. The work was designed by Mesrs R Rowe and Son, architects, of Worcester, and carried out by Councillor Dawkes of Leamington. walls of ashlar faced except south wall of nave which is of random rubble. Steeply pitched plain tile roof. Apart from a three-light east window with Perpendicular tracery to chancel, the other windows to the main body of the church are mainly of two-trefoiled lights. However, in south wall of nave is a small 12th century window of which the round head is in one stone and it has a hood mould with square stops. There is an 1889 rose window above the south doorway, the latter with two moulded orders is of 14th century date. The Perpendicular west tower is of two stages, with angle buttresses terminating just below the embattled parapet. In its west face is a window of three cinquefoiled lights. Interior: The chancel arch is pointed, and of two chamfered orders supported on short shafts with foliated capitals resting on corbels. The nave opens into north aisle by an arcade of three pointed arches with moulded piers. The nave opens into the tower by a lofty two-centred arch of two chamfered orders, the imposts being cut back as square pilasters. Reredos of Caen stone, four columns supporting three canopies with carved mouldings and finials - given by Dr Blunt in memory of his Mother.
6 Finds from the churchyard include glass fragments, a 12th to 13th century iron spur, and a 14th century tile from the same mould as an example from Burton Dassett.
7 Observation of three trial holes at St Nicholas church, Radford Semele, Warwickshire. A trial hole was excavated to the north-west of the north-west buttress and two recorded graveyard soils.
8 Two Medieval stone walls were recorded in the north aisle of the church, during archaeological recording during rebuilding work. This indicates that the Medieval north aisle was slightly smaller than its Victorian successor. A barrel-vaulted tomb was recorded, partly below the eastern wall of the vestry. Alterations in the south aisle were evidenced to be from 1838, rather than being part of the 1889 restorations as quoted in the listing.
9 The arcade between the nave and the north aisle of the church has been examined following the 2008 fire at St Nicholas' church, Radford Semele. The north aisle was constructed in 1838 with the arcade of four arches on the line of the Medieval wall of the church as identified through previous work. The arcade's arches are constructed of stonework and brick, though plaster was burnt off during the fire. The pillars are more decorative on their southern sides. The most westerly pillar possibly contains some Medieval masonry, but in its upper portions brickwork. Generally the pillars of the arcade can be seen to rest on brick plinths and in their lower portions brick below red sandstone upper portions. These sandstone portions had been badly spalled by the heat of the fire in 2008. Larger bricks used appear to indicate the 1889 large-scale restoration, repair and alteration of the church. These alterations could be seen above the arcade in the blocking of a series of joist holes for roof timbers.
 
Sources
Source No: 9
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: St Nicholas Church Arcade, Radford Semele: archaeological recording
Author/originator: Coutts C
Date: 2011
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 1121
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: Archaeological Recording at St Nicholas Church, Radford Semele, Warwickshire
Author/originator: C Coutts
Date: 2008
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
Source No: 3
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: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Stratford
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Excavation of three trial holes at St Nicholas Church, Radford Semele, Warwickshire
Author/originator: C Coutts
Date: 2010
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: JTG
Date: 1982
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 2227
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 20SE1
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 20SE1
   
Images:  
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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
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
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 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 Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument SHAFT * Use only if function unknown, otherwise use specific type. 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 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 FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument PARISH CHURCH * The foremost church within a parish. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. 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 PIER * A structure of iron or wood, open below, running out into the sea and used as a promenade and landing stage. back
monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument CHURCHYARD * An area of ground belonging to a church, often used as a burial ground. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument COLUMN * Use for free standing column. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument TOMB * A grave or sepulchre including a monument. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record