41. LECTERN WH WH
A traditional brass eagle lectern stands on the South side of the nave altar. It is from here that the Scriptures are read week by week.
42. CHANCEL AND ABOVE WH WH WH
From the nave altar, we turn our attention to the chancel. Above us hangs the rood cross – a 20th century Crystal Cross, believed to be unique in England. • In suitable lighting, you may see a small red window above the East window which is thought to have been a substitute for the red sanctuary light banned at the Reformation. • The Norman chancel has round arches, and above, a series of round port-hole windows, the last vestige of a 12th-century clerestory. These would originally have been external windows before the side chapel roofs were raised to their present height. Closest to us, within the chancery, are rows of choir stalls.
43. GLAZED SCREEN AMT
A glazed screen separates the chapel from the South (St Anne’s) Chapel.
44. ORGAN WH WH
The organ has three manuals and was made by Nicholson of Worcester in 1863. It was updated in 1895 and again in the late 1960s, and completely overhauled in 2000.
45. CHANCEL AMT AMT
From half way up the chancel we can look back to see where we have been, or to the East, where we are drawn by the colourful sanctuary. Some of the misericords of the choir stalls are shown here. There are a number of items of interest to be found here, not all visible! Several large monuments can be seen against the wall to the right of the high altar. To our immediate right is an arch with the dark blue Ledbury Mothers’ Union Banner, and on the near side of the arch is an easily-missed brass.
46. HAMILTON AND HAYWARD MEMORIALS AMT J&J
The monument at left is a memorial to John Hamilton Martin. This marble baby with angels watching over him, commemorates the baby John Hamilton who died in 1851. The memorial was made by Thomas and Mary Thornycroft. Mary is also known for the marble sculptures she made of the hands of Queen Victoria’s children. • The brass remembers a certain John Hayward who died in 1614. The brass has been placed behind a protective cover.
47. SKYNNER TOMB WH WH
Next on the South side is this memorial to Edward (1548 - 1631) and Elizabeth Skynner (d. 1628 aged 80). Edward made his fortune in the cloth trade. They had ten surviving children, five boys and five girls. One girl died young, and there was also a baby seen between the couple was reputedly killed by the last wolf in the district. William, the middle figure on the left wears different clothes as a churchman.
48. CHANCEL SIDE WINDOWS J&J J&J
There are two matching windows on opposite sides of the chancel. On the North wall is a Nativity stained glass window. The glass here is by Morris from a design by Burne-Jones. It was created c 1908. • The window on the South side shows St Katherine, St Michael and St Thomas of Hereford. It is by Kempe, and dates from 1895. It was given in memory of Canon Musgrave, sometime Canon of Hereford Cathedral.
49. EASTER SEPULCHRE MG
On the North side of the chancel, right by the high altar is this plain 14th century Easter sepulchre. This is an arched recess generally in the north wall of the chancel, in which from Good Friday to Easter day were deposited the crucifix and sacred elements in commemoration of Christ's entombment and resurrection. [Photo Credit: Michael Garlick Geograph CCL]
50. EAST WINDOW J&J
The theme of the Sanctuary East window is ‘Proclaiming good news’. The central lights depict the Annunciation, with John the Baptist and St Elizabeth at the sides. Below are prophets David, Isaiah and Jeremiah, along with an unknown figure at bottom right. The tracery depicts four Apostles, Peter James, John and Andrew, and at centre, St Michael weighing souls. The upper parts contain some older glass. This window by Kempe dates from 1895.
50. ST MARTIN WINDOW AND HOSKYN’S MEMORIAL AMT
The St Martin window by Veronica Whall is on the South side of the chancel; it is close to the altar and difficult to see. It shows St Martin dividing his cloak to share it with a beggar. • The memorial is to Dr. John Hoskins, who was rector from 1612, and died in 1631. It is a stone and marble wall-monument with a bust in ruff and cap and draped canopy with cherub-heads.
51. SANCTUARY CHAIR GA
Behind the high altar is a beautifully carved chair with the Latin text ‘Miserere spes mea Christ us’ – Christ is my Hope. Details of the back of this chair can be seen here.
52. HIGH ALTAR AMT
The high altar has a rich green frontal and bears the traditional cross and two candles.
53. LAST SUPPER WH
Behind the high altar this large painting is a copy of the work by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. It was painted in 1824 by a Ledbury artist, Thomas Ballard, as a direct copy of the near original copy of Leonardo’s work which is owned by the Royal Academy. The painting shows the moment at the Last Supper when Jesus tells his disciples that one of them would betray him. This completes our visit to the Church of St Michael and all Angels in Ledbury.
CONCLUSION GA
I have really enjoyed visiting the Ledbury Church of St Michael and All Angels. It is regarded as one of the finest churches in Herefordshire, originating in the 12th century, and retaining much early fabric. So many surprises! I hope you have enjoyed visiting it with me.
My grateful thanks to our team of ‘regular’ photographers – Aidan McRae Thomson, ‘Jules and Jenny’. ‘Glass Angel’ and Wendy Harris. Ownership is indicated by the initials AMT, J&J, GA and WH in the titles. Several other photos are acknowledged in the text.
I also express my thanks to my wife Margie who dutifully reads through all my websites and checks the typing.
I take little credit for the text which comes from a variety of different sources.
I would be glad to receive any comments, criticisms or corrections to this site. The best websites are those which contain no errors!
St Michael’s Church has its own website with link
http://www.ledburyparishchurch.org.uk
The originals of the photographs from our main photographers can be found at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/amthomson/sets/72157719102953702/ [AMT]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpguffogg/albums/72157693206549560 [J&J]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/47859152@N05/albums/72157633399988409 [GA]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pefkosmad/albums/72157632261514488 [WH]
Site created 08 / 2021
Paul Scott