St Peter's, Coughton
Coughton is a real treat for the church crawler; not only is it's fine medieval church situated next to the impressive facade of Coughton Court it is also has an attractive Victorian RC church as it's neighbour to the south (built for the Court's owners, the Throckmortons, who being Catholic needed another church!). Best of all both churches are kept open for visitors (and unlike the Court don't charge hefty entrances fees!).
St Peter's is easily one of the most rewarding churches in the area, a late medieval building with much of interest within. The monuments are not of the finest quality but worth seeing, but my favourite pieces here were the fragments of late medieval/early Renaissance stained glass in the traceries of the chancel windows, fine quality and obviously the work of Flemish glaziers, tantalising tiny glimpses of what we've lost. The east window has more substantial remains with three female figures in lavish costume, but all their heads look like Victorian replacements by Hardman's. There are earlier fragments in some nave windows and by contrast little Victorian glass (keeping the interior light), a dull Hardmans piece on the north side and a much finer Powells window sadly difficult to see in the tower.
There are substantial elements of late medieval woodwork in the chancel, fairly plain and easily missed, but the four figure carvings are worth seeking out.The large Throckmorton tomb beside the altar tempts one to step over the altar rails for a closer look, though this can be tricky as with a steady flow of visitors to the neighbouring Court one is rarely entirely alone in here!
St Peter's, Coughton
Coughton is a real treat for the church crawler; not only is it's fine medieval church situated next to the impressive facade of Coughton Court it is also has an attractive Victorian RC church as it's neighbour to the south (built for the Court's owners, the Throckmortons, who being Catholic needed another church!). Best of all both churches are kept open for visitors (and unlike the Court don't charge hefty entrances fees!).
St Peter's is easily one of the most rewarding churches in the area, a late medieval building with much of interest within. The monuments are not of the finest quality but worth seeing, but my favourite pieces here were the fragments of late medieval/early Renaissance stained glass in the traceries of the chancel windows, fine quality and obviously the work of Flemish glaziers, tantalising tiny glimpses of what we've lost. The east window has more substantial remains with three female figures in lavish costume, but all their heads look like Victorian replacements by Hardman's. There are earlier fragments in some nave windows and by contrast little Victorian glass (keeping the interior light), a dull Hardmans piece on the north side and a much finer Powells window sadly difficult to see in the tower.
There are substantial elements of late medieval woodwork in the chancel, fairly plain and easily missed, but the four figure carvings are worth seeking out.The large Throckmorton tomb beside the altar tempts one to step over the altar rails for a closer look, though this can be tricky as with a steady flow of visitors to the neighbouring Court one is rarely entirely alone in here!