St Peter & St Paul Church, Lavenham, Suffolk
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Lavenham is a notable wool church (financed through the wealth of the wool trade), and regarded as one of the finest examples of Late Perpendicular Gothic architecture in England.
Following the victory of Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, John de Vere, the 13th Earl of Oxford, a major local landowner and commander of Henry's army, suggested that the church should be rebuilt in the latest style to celebrate the new Tudor king. However, it is likely that plans were already underway to rebuild the church in order to reflect the growing prosperity of Lavenham.
The reconstruction of the church took place mainly between 1485 and 1525. The architect is thought to have been John Wastell. It was one of the last churches to be completed before the English Reformation. The extraordinary cost of the work was paid for by the local merchant families, who had become amongst the wealthiest in England.
The huge tower, standing 141 feet (43m) high, was built in two stages between 1486 and 1523.
St Peter & St Paul Church, Lavenham, Suffolk
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Lavenham is a notable wool church (financed through the wealth of the wool trade), and regarded as one of the finest examples of Late Perpendicular Gothic architecture in England.
Following the victory of Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, John de Vere, the 13th Earl of Oxford, a major local landowner and commander of Henry's army, suggested that the church should be rebuilt in the latest style to celebrate the new Tudor king. However, it is likely that plans were already underway to rebuild the church in order to reflect the growing prosperity of Lavenham.
The reconstruction of the church took place mainly between 1485 and 1525. The architect is thought to have been John Wastell. It was one of the last churches to be completed before the English Reformation. The extraordinary cost of the work was paid for by the local merchant families, who had become amongst the wealthiest in England.
The huge tower, standing 141 feet (43m) high, was built in two stages between 1486 and 1523.