Post by Dave on Sept 16, 2018 13:59:21 GMT
Manor House Ruins & St Mary's Church Kingskerswell 16th September 2018
We have all driven past St Mary’s Church in KIngskerswell and I am sure most of us had noticed some old ruins in the graveyard. The ruins you see are the Pound House which was associated to the Manor House which is behind it. The buildings are believed to have been in existence before 1387 as it is mentioned in old documents of that date which suggests the manor house and buildings were built by Sir John Dinham. It appears that in 1369 John Dinham was only 11 when he inherited the property but being so young the property was taken back into the ownership of the king, but passed back to Sir John in 1381.
It is not known when the manor house fell into disrepair, but a mention in a lease suggests that it was probably still in good condition in 1681. The ruins were listed (as grade II) in 1955 and were for many years obscured by trees and vegetation. There are several walls, the base of a tower with features in dressed granite and part of an arch. Since 2000 some clearance and conservation work has been undertaken at the site with the assistance of the South West England Environmental Trust
I have wanted to do a photo shoot here for such a long time and today I finally got around to doing it. After taking some shots of the Pound House ruins I came across a gate that had a simple latch on it. There was an information board next to the gate that I did not read as I had done my research this morning.
On the way out of the site of the Manor House I did look at the information board and at the end of the information it did say that access to the site requires permission. There was nothing oblivious by the gate that let you know that and so I will say sorry in advance to anyone reading this report who maybe should have been asked.
To be honest I do not think anyone who looks after the site has been there for a good while. The information board needs a good clean and some of the fencing around the Manor House ruins has been knocked down.
I was surprised to see so many fresh flowers on so many of the graves in the church grounds and also the grave stone leaning police have clearly not paid any recent visits. I went into the church and got the same feeling I have had before when I have found myself alone in an empty church.
The church, which is dedicated to St Mary, may have parts dating to the 14th century, most notably the tower. It remained a chapel under the administration of the parish of St Marychurch until the 1530s when the present building was started.It was extended in the 15th century by converting the transepts into aisles.It was restored c.1856 by John West Hugall and again in 1875 by J. W. Rowell. The church is grade II* listed, and has an uncommon image of Saint Apollonia, the patron saint of toothache sufferers, in the form of ancient stained glass in one of the south windows.It also contains three poorly preserved effigies of the Dinhams who held the manor in the 14th and 15th centuries. They probably represent Sir John Dinham (1359–1428) and two of his three wives.
A nice few hours enjoyed and while I would have liked to sun to come out, I am pleased with today’s shoot.
