St Michael

Situated in the beautiful countryside of south Warwickshire, the parish church of St Michael dates to the mid 12th century and has several features of Norman character transitioning into Early English. The door in the south porch displays handsome Norman decoration and the suggestion of a fine tympanum, although now defaced, possibly during the Civil War.

Originally a much smaller building, the church was enhanced between the 13th and 15th centuries with the addition of the west tower around 1200. Over the next 150 years a north aisle was added, the chancel enlarged, and the south porch constructed. A clerestory with perpendicular tracery was added in the the 15th century.

The chancel contains two interesting tombs. On the south side is the tomb of Nicholas Asheton who died in 1582. On the north side is the tomb of John Merton, who was rector of St Michael's in the early 16th century. The richly decorated tomb, is one of the finest alabaster slabs in the country. The tomb chest is carved with a series of quatrefoils, with one including a pair of spectacles, which is possibly one of the earliest depictions of spectacles.

A significant amount of medieval stained glass of the early 13th century survives particularly in the east window of the south chapel. In addition, there are three piscinas of 13th century origin. The church’s grade 1 status may reflect the fact that it is considered a virtually untouched medieval church. Although it was undoubtedly desecrated during the Civil War, the mark of 19th century restoration is not so apparent as in many parish churches.