Information for record number MWA2301:
Church of St George, Lower Brailes

Summary The Church of St George which dates back to the Medieval period. The Church was restored in the 19th century.
What Is It?  
Type: Church, Tower, Porch
Period: Modern - Modern (1200 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Brailes
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 39
(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  

1 Chancel with north vestry, nave, north and south aisles, south porch, and west tower. No architectural details of earlier than the late 13th century, but excavations in 1879 are said to have revealed 12th century foundations below the nave S arcade. S aisle and arcade were added circa 1280, the two bays at the west possibly circa 1330-40. Chancel entirely rebuilt early 14th century, and then the nave was largely remodelled, and possibly lengthened, the clearstorey added, and a new roof provided. Much of the south aisle was reconstructed and the aisle given a new roof and parapet. The north aisle has 14th century windows but may be earlier than the south. The north arcade and clearstorey are said to have been rebuilt in 1649, and were again reconstructed in 1879 in 14th century style. West tower and south porch probably of mid 15th century date. vestry enlarged in 1892. Much 19th century restoration. 14th century font. Roger, Earl of Warwick, in the reign of Henry I (1100-35) gave the church to the priory of Kenilworth.
8 church. 13th century with 14th and 15th century alterations and additions. Restoration 1879. Regular coursed ironstone, stone slate roofs. Chancel, nave, west tower, north and south aisles, north vestry. Chancel: mostly sandstone windows, chancel east window of five lights with reticulated tracery. South windows include a three-light window with intersecting tracery, two-light traceried window and four-light Perpendicular window. Doorway with pointed arched head and hood mould. Two two-light north windows have traceried heads. Nave has parapets with finials to north and south. Corbel table to south has heads. Clerestory of twelve two-light Decorated windows to both north and south. South aisle: east window of three lights with plate tracery, trefoil and cinquefoils. Late 13th century windows include a three-light window with intersecting tracery, four three-light windows with stepped lancets. Two-light lancet window to west has cinquefoil. North aisle: six two-light Decorated windows with square heads. Pointed arched doorway with hood mould. Open parapet. Corbel table has row of beasts, and monsters heads. West tower of three stages. 15th century west doorway has square head with partly renewed stonework. Five-light Perpendicular west window. Double window openings to bell chamfer. Embattled parapet with finials. South porch: 15th century. Parapet, finials and sundial. South doorway has three continuous orders of moulding and hood mould. Renewed plank door. Diagonal buttresses. Coped gables. Sanctus bell-cote has ogee heads and finial. Gargoyles. Interior: chancel has renewed chancel arch in Decorated style and renewed stonework to organ recess. Three-seat Decorated sedilia with stone arms. Decorated piscina. All with ogee heads. Nave has six-bay arcades to north and south with octagonal piers and double-chamfered arches. North arcade is later than south, which is probably late 13th early 14th century. South arcade has piers with differing bases and capitals. Very low pitch roof with corbel heads supporting roof trusses. Easternmost roof beam has traces of 15th century painting. Tall Decorated tower arch with 3 orders of continuous chamfers. Late 13th early 14th century octagonal font with eight different tracery patterns. 19th century font cover, pine pews, pulpit and stone reredos. Monuments. Wall monument in south aisle to Richard Davies d.1639. Master of Arts, Exeter College, Oxford. Marble entablature supporting still life of books. 15th century tomb chest with traceried sides and defaced effigy. 17th and 18th century gravestones in chancel floor to Sherley 1633 and Jane wife of Ralph Sherley 1685 - ?6, Jane wife of Barnabas Bishop, Patron of the church 1630; Barnabas Bishop 1635; William Bishop 1687 and Francis Bishop 1712; John Bishop 1627, Dorothy his wife 161?: James Wright 1716. church of St. George was known locally as the Cathedral of the Feldon. <9 >The church has 12 14th century windows in each side and many 14th century carvings, some of them 'green men' all of these features were probably finded by donations from wealthy merchants.
 
Sources
Source No: 9
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: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
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: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1986
Page Number: 17
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Let's Look at Lych-gates
Author/originator: Randall, Dick and Jean
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 25NE6
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
back to top

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.
 		back
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.
more -> 		back
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.
more -> 		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.
more -> 		back
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.
more -> 		back
monument WALL MONUMENT * A substantial monument attached to a wall and often standing on the floor. back
monument PULPIT * Use as an external architectural feature only. 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 FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. 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 PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. 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 SEAT * An external structure used to sit on. 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 PISCINA * A perforated stone basin usually built into the wall of a church on the south side of the altar. Used for carrying away the ablutions (wine and water used to rinse the chalice, and wash the priests hands after communion). back
monument CARVING * A carved figure or design. back
monument EFFIGY * A sculptured likeness, portrait or image, often found on a tomb or other memorial. back
monument COLLEGE * An establishment, often forming part of a university, for higher or tertiary education. 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 GRAVESTONE * A stone placed over or at the head or foot of a grave, or at the entrance of a tomb. 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 SUNDIAL * A structure used to show the time of day by means of the sun shining on a 'gnomon', the shadow of which falls on the surface of the dial which is marked with a diagram showing the hours. Can be freestanding, usually on a pillar, or fixed to a building. back
monument ROW * A row of buildings built during different periods, as opposed to a TERRACE. back
monument CATHEDRAL * The principal church of a diocese in which the cathedra or bishop's throne is to be found. 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 TOMB * A grave or sepulchre including a monument. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record