Holy Trinity Church Stratford Upon Avon
by Terri Waters
Title
Holy Trinity Church Stratford Upon Avon
Artist
Terri Waters
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
A black and white image of Holy Trinity Church on the banks of the River Avon. It is the parish church where William Shakespeare is buried.
The Parish Register records his baptism in 1564 and burial in 1616 and copies of the original documents are on display in a case on the wall.
William Shakespeare's tomb lies in the chancel. The privilege of being buried within the church was bestowed upon him not for his fame as a playwright but from the fact that he owned a share of the the tithe income privileges, bought for �440, when Henry VIII abolished the College of Cardinals in Britain. With the priviledge came the duty of employing a priest and looking after the Chancel as well as the right of burial there. Alongside his grave are those of his widow, Anne Hathaway, his daughter Suzannah and her husband Dr John Hall who was a noted physician and Thomas Nash, the first husband of William's grandmother Elizabeth. Nearby on the north wall is a bust of Shakespeare that was erected approximately 7 years after his death and within the lifetime of his widow and many of his friends.
The church dates from 845 AD and it is likely that a wooden church existed on the site as early as the 9th century and there has been a church on or near this site since . It was first mentioned then in a charter and was constructed of wood. In 1210 the origins of the present church began.
Built in crucifix form it contains a Chancel, Nave, North Transept and South Transept. The north transept being out of bounds to visitors, with this exception visitors are welcome to see this most interesting church .
The chancel has 26 wooden carved Misericord seats, these depict Angels, Mythical beasts and men and women fighting.
Situated centrally is the Tower which houses a ring of 10 bells, whose origins are sometime before 1502 when a legacy of 6 shillings and eight pence was left towards their restoration. The present bells were cast in 1948 by Taylor�s of Loughborough.
In the porch a is a small 15th century door with a knocker that was used by persons seeking sanctuary.
From Cotswolds.info:
The north door of the Holy Trinity Church has a sanctuary knocker. Any fugitive that reached the knocker could claim temporary shelter in the church safe from their pursuers for a period of 37 days.
The right of sanctuary can be traced back to Saxon times and the Normans continued to observe the practice. The custom of the right of sanctuary was recognised throughout the land up to the highest level and lasted until 1623.
Failure to observe it incurred penalties of excommunication or death. This was an attempt by the church to alleviate the severity of the laws of the time and offer a criminal the chance to atone. The only people who could not claim the right of sanctuary were witches, heretics or those who had committed a crime in church.
During the period of sanctuary the fugitive was expected to be obedient and contrite, confessing his sins and discuss his case with the bishop or priest. At the end of the period the fugitive would have to decide whether to leave and stand trial or to plead guilty and 'abjure the realm' - a medieval form of deportation or banishment. An abjurer would usually have to leave the realm from a port of some distance away, and would have to make the journey dressed in sackcloth and ashes, bare foot and carrying a cross. If he strayed from the main road he would be executed on the spot.
On a lighter note, the church has an attractive approach, the pathway is lined by trees that represent the tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles.
Uploaded
February 8th, 2013
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