Polesworth - St Edith
St Edith's is the former Abbey church of Polesworth, once a nunnery founded by the patron saint St Edith.It is approached from the road via a half timbered gate house, a relic of it's former monastic enclosure that hints at this site's special status. The church beyond is dominated by the heavy mass of the north tower and consist of the old monastic nave and north aisle of the abbey church with a small Victorian chancel beyond. The old cloister stood to the south and it's remains are still visible beyond the visitor centre and sensory garden, and some further excavation appears to have taken place to uncover it's south west corner (concealed beneath tarpaulin when I called). The staff here seemed very friendly and welcoming; I seemed to have timed my visit well to avoid an imminent wedding!
The spacious interior immediately impresses with the Norman north arcade and former clerestorey (the north aisle is of almost equal proportions, suggesting as much a twin-nave). The arcade itself looks like it has been much rebuilt in Victorian times, but sensitively done.
Apart from the early 14th century font at the west end of the north aisle the furnishings are mostly Victorian, along with nearly all the stained glass, but the two fine medieval tombs with effigies under the arcade make up for this; one of a 15th century lady (Elizabeth Harthill d.1447), the other an early 13th century abbess's effigy in low relief, lying atop an otherwise unrelated 15th century tomb chest. There are several slightly primitive-looking contemporary paintings dotted about the church, most prominent of which is a huge 'jiving' Christ on the south wall covered with leaves!
As stated earlier the stained glass is all from the Victorian and Edwardian periods and a real mixture representing several of the major studios of the era, with the rich five lancet east window by Hardman's of Birmingham taking pride of place in glowing reds and blues.
There are other windows by Clayton & Bell and Burlison & Grylls (who did the west window, but their Nativity in the south wall is perhaps the nicest window here). Often full schemes were commissioned during this time, or at least one studio would get the lion's share of the glazing, but here it is clear that the windows were added in a very much piecemeal fashion, with different donors reflecting their own preferences along with changes of style over several decades.
There are other windows by Clayton & Bell and Burlison & Grylls (who did the west window, but their Nativity in the south wall is perhaps the nicest window here). Often full schemes were commissioned during this time, or at least one studio would get the lion's share of the glazing, but here it is clear that the windows were added in a very much piecemeal fashion, with different donors reflecting their own preferences along with changes of style over several decades.
Polesworth Abbey is well worth a visit and though the building has been much altered and restored it remains a rare reminder of Warwickshire's vanished monasteries. The church and it's adjoining visitor centre are usually open to the public.
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013
Aidan McRae Thomson 2013
