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St Michael, Kington, Wiltshire

Location
(51°29′37″N, 2°8′28″W)
Kington
ST 903 772
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Wiltshire
now Wiltshire
medieval Old Sarum
now Bristol
  • Allan Brodie
11 August 1995

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Description

The church consists of a 13th-century chancel, late 13th-century S aisle, a N aisle of 1755, and a W tower of 1725. The chancel arch appears to date from the 12th century and is extremely wide and flat, as if it has been reset. The S door has 12th-century jambs and a Perpendicular head, one of the most bizarre combinations in the county.

History

At the time of Domesday Survey, Kington St Michael belonged to Ralph of Mortimer and the estate was held by Roger. There was a mill, 4 acres of meadow and 6 acres of woodland. Kington was worth 20s pre-Conquest, when it was held by Alwine, reaching the value of 30s at the time of Domesday Book.

Features

Exterior Features

Doorways

Interior Features

Arches

Chancel arch/Apse arches

Furnishings

Fonts

Comments/Opinions

The church was heavily restored in 1857-8 by J H Hakewill. The two responds of the chancel arch appear to have been rebuilt in the 19th century. It may thus be possible that the chancel arch was to a large extent a product of a reconstruction. The width and flattened profile of the arch suggest re-assemblage, and the relative sharpness of the carving may indicate it was created in the 19th century.

Bibliography

F. Arnold-Forster, Studies in Church Dedications or England’s Patron Saints, London 1899, III, 171.

DCMS Listing Description.

N. Pevsner and B. Cherry, Buildings of England: Wiltshire. Harmondsworth 1975, 2nd edition, 281-2.