St Tyssil
Llandyssil, Powys
An unusual example of a ‘tractarian’ church that remains virtually unspoilt.
The rood screen is original, with wonderfully carved 13th century angels. The screen, choir stalls and misericords were all brought here from Chirbury Priory.
One of the interior highlights is the ornate tomb of Richard Herbert (d1593). Herbert was the lord of Montgomery Castle, and father of the poet and cleric George Herbert. Also buried here is Richard, 2nd Baron of Chirbury, who died in 1655 and was the last of the Herbert family to live at the castle.
In the churchyard is the fascinating grave of John Davies of Wrexham. Davies was convicted of highway robbery in 1821, though he protested his innocence. He is said to have prayed to God that no grass should grow on his grave for 100 years as a sign of his innocence. Though he was executed, his prayers may have been answered, for it is said that no grass grew on his grave for well over a century.