Information for record number MWA1596:
Church of St Peter, Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen

Summary The Church of St Peter which was founded as a minster during the Early Medieval period, and alterations were made to the Church in the Medieval and Post Medieval periods.
What Is It?  
Type: Church, Minster, Nave, Chancel, Aisle, Lady Chapel, Clerestory, Porch, Tower
Period: Modern - Modern (1035 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Wootton Wawen
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 15 63
(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
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Chancel, central tower, south chapel, nave, south aisle, and nave and south porches. Lower three fifths of the tower is probably of the first half of the 11th century; as it has an archway in each wall there is little doubt that the original plan of church was cross-shaped. Nave rebuilt and probably enlarged in the 12th century. The present chancel walls may be of mid to late 13th century; North windows are of circa 1330-40. South aisle of nave is of about 1250 and may have had a chapel east of it, but the north arcade of the present south chapel indicates a later 13th century date for the chapel than for the aisle. chapel south windows are of circa 1330-40, the east window late 14th century, when perhaps the whole chapel was rebuilt and enlarged. Late 15th century: Chancel east window, nave west window, nave clearstory, top stage of tower and heightening of south aisle. North porch early 16th century. 1635: Chancel walls heightened and roof replaced; the north wall had subsequently to be heavily reinforced by large buttresses. church restored 1881, when the nave roof was renewed. South chapel repaired 1918, when wall-paintings were discovered. 14th century font bowl. 15th century and 16th century woodwork - pulpit, screens, seats etc. Monuments of the 15th-17th century and later.
11 archaeological observation of cable trenches and floodlight pits revealed the east face of the Anglo-Saxon north porticus. Fragments of medieval painted glass, a 14th century bronze pin, medieval glazed floor tile, roof tiles and fragments of gravestones were discovered in trenches across the graveyard.
12 Founded as a minster church in 8th century. Has a Saxon tower dating to the late 9th/ early 10th century. There are references to an earlier timber church and churchyard on a different site, an area of land called Priors Close, in medieval deeds. Human bones (MWA 9143) uncovered in the 18th century during the making of a kitchen garden in an area called the Railed Park, believed to be between the present churchyard boundary and the Manor House drive, might belong to an earlier burial site. The source also mentions a Saxon Priest's house on the site but no location is given.
21 A watching brief in 2004 revealed the remains of two walls made of coursed small squared blocks of Limestone with no visible mortar. These were located to the west of the south-western corner of the south aisle. They were believed to pre-date the 13th century south aisle.
22 A continuation of one of the walls observed in 2004 was found in 2006. Below 13th-century south aisle wall.
23 Bassett states that the area served by the original minster church is now contains 11 parishes. Of these, one is still being served by St Peter's, Wootton Wawen. Each of the other 10 parishes is served by a church which originated as a chapel subject to St Peter's. Several were parochial chapels; however most of them began as manorial chapels.
24 19 burials from Wooton Wawen churchyard were submitted to English Heritage for study; a full osteoarchaeological report was prepared.
25 Article detailing history of the roofs at Wootton Wawen; includes phased elevations.
26 An illustrated guide to the church, 2000 to coincide with the launch of the Saxon Sanctuary exhibition. Update to
20.
27 church. 1035-40 for Wagen, of which the lower tower and parts of the lower nave north and west walls remain; with enlargements late 11th early 12th century to nave and chancel of which parts of the walls remain; 13th century south aisle and south doorway; 14th century Lady Chapel and chancel north windows; late 15th century clerestory, upper stage of tower, north doorway and east window; early 16th century north porch; early 17th century enlargement of chancel and chancel roof; south aisle windows inserted circa 1635 though of 16th century date; 18th century south porch; with restorations of 1880-81 by GG Scott Jr and further 20th century restorations. MATERIALS: lias stone with plain-tile roofs. STYLE: Saxon, Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular. PLAN: Three-bay nave with four-bay south aisle and four-bay clerestory, and north and south porches; three-stage crossing tower to north-east of nave; two-bay chancel, and south Lady Chapel and vestry. EXTERIOR: buttresses: massive buttress with off-sets to west end; buttresses to south aisle; three buttresses with off-sets and angle buttresses to Lady Chapel; to tower, north side are two short buttresses; to chancel, north side are two large buttresses with off-sets; chancel, east end has angle buttresses and further short buttress below window. Nave: south aisle, porch to second bay, opening has chamfered frieze surmounted by bressumer beam and king post gable end, within are seats, then south doorway has four-centred arch with four chamfers and hoodmould with remains of open dogtooth moulding and double plank doors. South aisle: first bay is blank; two four-light, straight-headed windows with cusped lancets and stylized foliage between, with chamfered mullions and surrounds, continuous hollow-moulded hoodmould. Further two-cusped-light lancet window with Y-tracery in pointed, double-chamfered surround to west end of aisle. Battlements have finials with pinnacles rising from pilaster strips with grotesque bosses. North aisle: some herringbone masonry; porch to first bay has buttresses, the upper part a pegged oak timber gable with chamfered obtuse-arched opening; within the north doorway is a four-centred arch with two orders of roll-moulding between cavetto-moulding; nail-studded plank door with wrought-iron ring handle with trefoil-patterned escutcheon. Small, round-arched lancet window with quoined jambs and imposts. Four-light pointed window with renewed intersecting tracery in chamfered surround with ovolo-moulded mullions, quoins and hoodmould. Continuous chamfered band with gargoyles. Clerestory, north and south sides alike: Four three-light Perpendicular windows in four-centred arches, with double-chamfered, hollow-moulded surrounds with hollow-chamfered mullions, hoodmoulds have grotesque finials and stops, between are pilasters with grotesque beasts, surmounted by pinnacles with finials; battlements. West end: central entrance, now blocked, with quoined surround and massive lintel. Five-light Perpendicular window in two-centred arch, with chamfered surround, sill and hoodmould with worn face stops. tower: long and short quoins, north side has round-arched opening, now blocked and with semi-circular window to head; second stage has slit, band, then pairs of two-light Perpendicular belfry windows with central headstop; band, battlements with pinnacles with finials. Lady Chapel: Two three-light windows with reticulated tracery to head, the easternmost blocked to inside by monument, to east end a window of five stepped ogee-headed lights with Curvilinear tracery to head. Chancel: north side has two three-light windows with reticulated tracery to head with chamfered mullions and surround and hoodmould with face stops. East window of seven lights with Perpendicular tracery to head in double-chamfered surround with an outer order of foliage, hoodmould with foliate decoration and chamfered sill; band, low parapet. INTERIOR: nave: has three-bay, double-chamfered, pointed 4-centred arched arcade, the central arch is taller and wider on octagonal responds with hollow-moulded capitals, the outer responds are half-columnar with roll-moulded capitals and water-holding bases, continuous hoodmould has face-stop to centre. Scratch dial to westernmost window of south aisle. To north wall an outline of round-arched north doorway; deep splayed jambs to slit window. To west wall a blocked doorway with quoins, between two fluted columns on plinths with continuous frieze and dentil cornice across wall. Large busts reputedly of King Edward III and Queen Philippa to west window as hoodmould stops, window has stained glass of 1905. To clerestory a continuous hollow-moulded band with grotesques and hoodmoulds. To east end of nave are two parclose screens mid 15th century, one across tower opening has ogee-headed arch, otherwise once enclosing side chapels, now with choir stalls and organ console. Perpendicular oak pulpit with leaf-traceried panels. 18th century balustrade. Octagonal 14th century font with eight protruding hooded stone heads on the underside. tower: small northern blocked round-headed porticus arch; another similar arch to south now with glass doors; a narrow, high eastern archway; and a western higher, wider arch, all round-headed and with jambs of long- and short-megalithic through stones, arches rest on crude square capitals. To first stage a blocked rectangular opening. Lady Chapel: four-centred, double-chamfered arch between south aisle and chapel on half-columnar responds; to north wall of chapel a similar arch over the Norman tower arch. 14th century rib-vaulted piscina in ornate surround, unfinished. floor of Elizabethan brick; 17th century three-bay king-post roof. Between Lady Chapel and chancel a double-chamfered arcade with half-columnar responds and octagonal centre pillar. Chancel: altar rails have pierced splat balusters; stained glass to east window is 14th century and 17th century. arch of a sedilia; small wooden doors conceal carved 15th century hagioscope. 16th century pews with carved bench ends with stunted poppy heads and coarse tracery, restored 19th century. Roof: easternmost crossbeam inscribed `CS 1635', though roof restored in 1949. MONUMENTS: in chancel are two tomb chests, one with recumbent alabaster effigy to John Harewell (d.1428); the other with quatrefoil decoration, also to John Harewell (d.1505), has dark marble top with brasses of John and wife Anna, 10 children shown below. In Lady Chapel is 17th century Renaissance-style canopied altar tomb in painted marble erected 1626 with Ionic columns to each side and recumbent effigy of Francis Smith (d.1605), Lord of the Manor of Wootton, and Agnes (d.1562) his wife. Monument, a free-standing urn on pedestal to Robert Knight (d.1744). Wall monument to William Somerville of Edstone (d.1676) and his daughters Catherina (d.1736) and Margaretta (d.1739), erected 1765. architectural type Wall monument to Henry Knight (d.1762), Henrietta Knight (d.1763) and Henrietta St. John, Lady Luxemborough (d.1756). Gothic-Revival Wall monument to John Phillips of Edstone (d.1836) signed John Ternmouth, Pimlico.
28 The church of St Peter has notable Anglo Saxon work, and is one of the oldest churches in the county. A Lady Chapel was added in the mid 13th century and extended about 100 years later, a clerestory was also added in the 15th century.
 
Sources
Source No: 28
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: 23
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Dugdale Society Occasional Papers
Author/originator: S. Bassett
Date: 2001
Page Number: 1 - 33
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 25
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Warwickshire History vol. XIV.2
Author/originator: Bearman, R. (ed.)
Date: 2009
Page Number: 42-57
Volume/Sheet: 14
   
Source No: 20
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: St Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen: A Short Guide
Author/originator: David Daymond
Date: 1990
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
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: 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: 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: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1960
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
   
Source No: 19
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Wootton Wawen parish
Author/originator: Bassett S
Date: 1986
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: 18C Report of Find of Bones, Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: Graham, Donald
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 17
Source Type: Excavation archive
Title: Church of St Peter, Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: Various
Date: 1974
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Wootton Wawen Churchyard
Author/originator: G.S.T.
Date: 1963
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 27
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 16
Source Type: Note
Title: Archaeology and St Peter's, Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: Graham, Donald
Date: 1973
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 22
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: St Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen.
Author/originator: R Jones and C Rann
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Observation at St Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: Coutts C
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report No 9913
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Photograph
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: SMW
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1622
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Serial
Title: The Archaeological Journal vol 128
Author/originator:
Date: 1971
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: vol 128
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 31 1988
Author/originator: Bassett S
Date: 1988
Page Number: 39-42
Volume/Sheet: 31
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 29 1986
Author/originator: Bassett S
Date: 1986
Page Number: 62
Volume/Sheet: 29
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 30 1987
Author/originator: Bassett S
Date: 1987
Page Number: 57
Volume/Sheet: 30
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Notes on buildings in the Coventry area.
Author/originator: Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, Coventry
Date: 1977
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 18
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: University of Birmingham
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 24
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Wootton Wawen Churchyard , Warwickshire: Human Bone Report
Author/originator: O'Connor T
Date: 1992
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: AML Report
   
Source No: 26
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Saxon Sanctuary: St Peter's, Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Graham D
Date: 2000?
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 20SE1
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 20SE1
   
Source No: 21
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Archaeological Watching Brief at St. Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen
Author/originator: Gethin B
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
St Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1980
Click here for larger image  
 
A Saxon arch at St Peter's Church, Wootten Wawen
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1999
Click here for larger image  
 
St. Peter's Church, Wootton Wawen
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1900s
Click here for larger image  
 
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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
source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. 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.
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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 Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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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 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 HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument BENCH * A long seat, usually made of stone or wood, with or without a back. back
monument HOLLOW * A hollow, concave formation or place, which has sometimes been dug out. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument KITCHEN GARDEN * A private garden established primarily for growing vegetables and herbs for domestic consumption. back
monument MINSTER * A complex of buildings, often within an enclosure, housing a pre-Benedictine Reform secular religious community. Now commonly used to describe the main church within such a complex, which over time attained higher status. 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 MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more 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 BALUSTRADE * A row of balusters, usually made of stone, surmounted by a rail or coping. 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 FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument BOUNDARY * The limit to an area as defined on a map or by a marker of some form, eg. BOUNDARY WALL. Use specific type where known. back
monument URN * A garden ornament, usually of stone or metal, designed in the the form of a vase used to receive the ashes of the dead. 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 FLOODLIGHT * A metal structure supporting high powered lights. back
monument ALTAR TOMB * A tomb or memorial, resembling an altar, often with a recumbent effigy on top. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument MANORIAL CHAPEL * A chapel situated within the demesnes of a manor. Can be a separate building or an integral part of a manor house. back
monument DRIVE * A road/carriage way giving access from the main road to the house, stables. 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 PEDESTAL * A concrete, cylindrical pedestal on which a spigot mortar was mounted. The pedestal is often the only evidence for a Spigot Mortar emplacement to survive. 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 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 SANCTUARY * A sacred area of a building or a consecrated piece of land. 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 EFFIGY * A sculptured likeness, portrait or image, often found on a tomb or other memorial. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. 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 CHURCHYARD * An area of ground belonging to a church, often used as a burial ground. 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 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 BUST * A piece of sculpture usually representing the head, shoulders and breast of a person. 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 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 COLUMN * Use for free standing column. back
monument SCRATCH DIAL * A set of marks found on the wall of a building, thought to be a form of sundial. back
monument ALTAR * An elevated table or podium on which to place or sacrifice offerings to the deities. back
monument PINNACLE * A vertical, pointed structure usually resembling a pyramid or cone. Use for component of a larger building type where it is now used as a freestanding ornament. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. 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