Castle Frome Herefordshire
Church of St. Michael , Castle Frome, Herefordshire standing in the north part of the parish, is built of local sandstone
In 1086 Castle Frome belonged to Roger de Lacy, who inherited numerous estates in Herefordshire and Shropshire from his father Walter who died in 1085. The family was based at Weobley, and their lands included 58 manors valued in 1086 at £234.00 at least, an enormous sum for the time - Castle Frome named Brismerfrum after its pre-Conquest owner Brihtmer (with Brichtmer(es)froma and Castelli in the margin). Walter a great benefactor, is thought to have built an earlier church and also a motte & bailey castle which survives as a small mound 350 yards to the east.
Son Roger de Lacy was banished in 1096 when the estates passed to his brother Hugh who died c1115 and whose only child Sybil married Payn FitzJohn, who thus inherited most of the Lacy fortune Sybil survived her husband who died in 1137
The present chancel and nave were built in the first half of the 12c, possibly by Sybil and her husband. The magnificent carved font installed c1150 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/0E731B may also be thanks to Sybil.
High on a window ledge in the chancel is a small carved figure of a knight holding a heart, possibly Adam de Lacy (d.1297) Stolen in 2012, he was returned in 2014 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1c8J19
Restoration took place in 15c with the installation of windows and new roofs in the nave and chancel
The tower has 3 bells, one inscribed in lombardic capitals "Mauddillamor. W.T." probably mediæval.
The Unett family acquired the manor on the marriage in 1432 of John Unett with heiress Elizabeth Brace grand daughter of lord of the manor Sir William Devereux a descendant of the Lacys - there is a tomb by the altar steps of mid 17c www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/k2i0jc
All restored in 1878 when the bell-turret was re-built and the north vestry and south porch added.
Castle Frome Herefordshire
Church of St. Michael , Castle Frome, Herefordshire standing in the north part of the parish, is built of local sandstone
In 1086 Castle Frome belonged to Roger de Lacy, who inherited numerous estates in Herefordshire and Shropshire from his father Walter who died in 1085. The family was based at Weobley, and their lands included 58 manors valued in 1086 at £234.00 at least, an enormous sum for the time - Castle Frome named Brismerfrum after its pre-Conquest owner Brihtmer (with Brichtmer(es)froma and Castelli in the margin). Walter a great benefactor, is thought to have built an earlier church and also a motte & bailey castle which survives as a small mound 350 yards to the east.
Son Roger de Lacy was banished in 1096 when the estates passed to his brother Hugh who died c1115 and whose only child Sybil married Payn FitzJohn, who thus inherited most of the Lacy fortune Sybil survived her husband who died in 1137
The present chancel and nave were built in the first half of the 12c, possibly by Sybil and her husband. The magnificent carved font installed c1150 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/0E731B may also be thanks to Sybil.
High on a window ledge in the chancel is a small carved figure of a knight holding a heart, possibly Adam de Lacy (d.1297) Stolen in 2012, he was returned in 2014 www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1c8J19
Restoration took place in 15c with the installation of windows and new roofs in the nave and chancel
The tower has 3 bells, one inscribed in lombardic capitals "Mauddillamor. W.T." probably mediæval.
The Unett family acquired the manor on the marriage in 1432 of John Unett with heiress Elizabeth Brace grand daughter of lord of the manor Sir William Devereux a descendant of the Lacys - there is a tomb by the altar steps of mid 17c www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/k2i0jc
All restored in 1878 when the bell-turret was re-built and the north vestry and south porch added.