Martin M. Miles' photos

Hereford became the seat of Putta, Bishop of Hereford, some time between 676 and 688, after which the settlement continued to grow due to its proximity to the border between Mercia and Wales, becoming the Saxon capital of West Mercia by the beginning of the 8th century. Hostilities between the Anglo-Saxons and the Welsh came to a head with the Battle of Hereford in 760, in which the Britons freed themselves from the influence of the English. Hereford was again targeted by the Welsh during their conflict with the Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor in 1056 when, supported by Viking allies, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, King of Gwynedd and Powys, marched on the town and put it to the torch before returning home in triumph. A church has existed on this site since the 8th century or earlier. The present building was begun in 1079. Substantial parts date from both the Norman and the Gothic periods. The cathedral is dedicated to two saints, St Mary the Virgin and St Ethelbert the King. The latter was beheaded by Offa, King of Mercia, in the year 794. Offa had consented to give his daughter to Ethelbert in marriage, but he changed his mind and deprived him of his head. Of this Norman church, completed around 1150, the surviving parts are the nave arcade, the choir, the south transept and the crossing arches. Scarcely 50 years after its completion the east end was altered by constructing a retro-choir and a lady chapel. 1226 - 1246, the Lady Chapel was rebuilt in the Early English style. Around the middle of the century the clerestory, and the vaulting of the choir, were rebuilt, having been damaged by the settling of the central tower. Under Peter of Aigueblanche (bishop 1240–68) the rebuilding of the north transept was begun, being completed later in the same century. On Easter Monday, 1786, the greatest disaster in the history of the cathedral took place. The west tower fell, creating a ruin of the whole of the west front and at least one part of the nave. The restoration work took more than a century. The west front was restored over the period 1902 and 1908.

Hereford became the seat of Putta, Bishop of Hereford, some time between 676 and 688, after which the settlement continued to grow due to its proximity to the border between Mercia and Wales, becoming the Saxon capital of West Mercia by the beginning of the 8th century. Hostilities between the Anglo-Saxons and the Welsh came to a head with the Battle of Hereford in 760, in which the Britons freed themselves from the influence of the English. Hereford was again targeted by the Welsh during their conflict with the Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor in 1056 when, supported by Viking allies, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, King of Gwynedd and Powys, marched on the town and put it to the torch before returning home in triumph. A church has existed on this site since the 8th century or earlier. The present building was begun in 1079. Substantial parts date from both the Norman and the Gothic periods. The cathedral is dedicated to two saints, St Mary the Virgin and St Ethelbert the King. The latter was beheaded by Offa, King of Mercia, in the year 794. Offa had consented to give his daughter to Ethelbert in marriage, but he changed his mind and deprived him of his head. Of this Norman church, completed around 1150, the surviving parts are the nave arcade, the choir, the south transept and the crossing arches. Scarcely 50 years after its completion the east end was altered by constructing a retro-choir and a lady chapel. 1226 - 1246, the Lady Chapel was rebuilt in the Early English style. Around the middle of the century the clerestory, and the vaulting of the choir, were rebuilt, having been damaged by the settling of the central tower. Under Peter of Aigueblanche (bishop 1240–68) the rebuilding of the north transept was begun, being completed later in the same century. On Easter Monday, 1786, the greatest disaster in the history of the cathedral took place. The west tower fell, creating a ruin of the whole of the west front and at least one part of the nave. The restoration work took more than a century. The west front was restored over the period 1902 and 1908.

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The main sculptural interest is the font and dated around 1170. It is the work of the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one figure remains in a good state. A detail

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The main sculptural interest is the font and dated around 1170. It is the work of the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one figure remains in a good state. A detail

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The main sculptural interest is the font and dated around 1170. It is the work of the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one figure remains in a good state. A detail

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The main sculptural interest is the font and dated around 1170. It is the work of the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one figure remains in a good state.

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The tomb of John and Margaret Dunnet (1656)

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel.

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer. The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. Each has a tympanum over it.

The name of the town comes from Theoc, an Anglo-Saxon who is said to have founded a hermitage here in the 7th century, which was called Theocsbury. The cell was succeeded by a monastery in 715. In the 10th century it became a priory subordinate of the Cranborne Abbey. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave the manor of Tewkesbury to Robert Fitzhamon, who, with the Abbot of ranborne,founded the present abbey in 1092. Building of the present abbey church did not start until 1102, employing Caen stone imported from Normandy. Robert Fitzhamon died in 1107, but his son-in-law, Robert FitzRoy, who was made Earl of Gloucester, continued to fund the building work. In the High Middle Ages, Tewkesbury became one of the richest abbeys of England. After the Battle of Tewkesbury in the Wars of the Roses in 1471, some of the defeated Lancastrians sought sanctuary in the abbey. The victorious Yorkists, led by Edward IV, forced their way into the abbey; the resulting bloodshed caused the building to be closed for a month until it could be purified and re-consecrated. After the dissolution of the monasteries the people of Tewkesbury saved the abbey from destruction. Insisting that it was their parish church which they had the right to keep, they bought it from the Crown for £453.

The name of the town comes from Theoc, an Anglo-Saxon who is said to have founded a hermitage here in the 7th century, which was called Theocsbury. The cell was succeeded by a monastery in 715. In the 10th century it became a priory subordinate of the Cranborne Abbey. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave the manor of Tewkesbury to Robert Fitzhamon, who, with the Abbot of ranborne,founded the present abbey in 1092. Building of the present abbey church did not start until 1102, employing Caen stone imported from Normandy. Robert Fitzhamon died in 1107, but his son-in-law, Robert FitzRoy, who was made Earl of Gloucester, continued to fund the building work. In the High Middle Ages, Tewkesbury became one of the richest abbeys of England. After the Battle of Tewkesbury in the Wars of the Roses in 1471, some of the defeated Lancastrians sought sanctuary in the abbey. The victorious Yorkists, led by Edward IV, forced their way into the abbey; the resulting bloodshed caused the building to be closed for a month until it could be purified and re-consecrated. After the dissolution of the monasteries the people of Tewkesbury saved the abbey from destruction. Insisting that it was their parish church which they had the right to keep, they bought it from the Crown for £453.

The name of the town comes from Theoc, an Anglo-Saxon who is said to have founded a hermitage here in the 7th century, which was called Theocsbury. The cell was succeeded by a monastery in 715. In the 10th century it became a priory subordinate of the Cranborne Abbey. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave the manor of Tewkesbury to Robert Fitzhamon, who, with the Abbot of ranborne,founded the present abbey in 1092. Building of the present abbey church did not start until 1102, employing Caen stone imported from Normandy. Robert Fitzhamon died in 1107, but his son-in-law, Robert FitzRoy, who was made Earl of Gloucester, continued to fund the building work. In the High Middle Ages, Tewkesbury became one of the richest abbeys of England. After the Battle of Tewkesbury in the Wars of the Roses in 1471, some of the defeated Lancastrians sought sanctuary in the abbey. The victorious Yorkists, led by Edward IV, forced their way into the abbey; the resulting bloodshed caused the building to be closed for a month until it could be purified and re-consecrated. After the dissolution of the monasteries the people of Tewkesbury saved the abbey from destruction. Insisting that it was their parish church which they had the right to keep, they bought it from the Crown for £453.

The name of the town comes from Theoc, an Anglo-Saxon who is said to have founded a hermitage here in the 7th century, which was called Theocsbury. The cell was succeeded by a monastery in 715. In the 10th century it became a priory subordinate of the Cranborne Abbey. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave the manor of Tewkesbury to Robert Fitzhamon, who, with the Abbot of ranborne,founded the present abbey in 1092. Building of the present abbey church did not start until 1102, employing Caen stone imported from Normandy. Robert Fitzhamon died in 1107, but his son-in-law, Robert FitzRoy, who was made Earl of Gloucester, continued to fund the building work. In the High Middle Ages, Tewkesbury became one of the richest abbeys of England. After the Battle of Tewkesbury in the Wars of the Roses in 1471, some of the defeated Lancastrians sought sanctuary in the abbey. The victorious Yorkists, led by Edward IV, forced their way into the abbey; the resulting bloodshed caused the building to be closed for a month until it could be purified and re-consecrated. After the dissolution of the monasteries the people of Tewkesbury saved the abbey from destruction. Insisting that it was their parish church which they had the right to keep, they bought it from the Crown for £453.

The name of the town comes from Theoc, an Anglo-Saxon who is said to have founded a hermitage here in the 7th century, which was called Theocsbury. The cell was succeeded by a monastery in 715. In the 10th century it became a priory subordinate of the Cranborne Abbey. In 1087, William the Conqueror gave the manor of Tewkesbury to Robert Fitzhamon, who, with the Abbot of ranborne,founded the present abbey in 1092. Building of the present abbey church did not start until 1102, employing Caen stone imported from Normandy. Robert Fitzhamon died in 1107, but his son-in-law, Robert FitzRoy, who was made Earl of Gloucester, continued to fund the building work. In the High Middle Ages, Tewkesbury became one of the richest abbeys of England. After the Battle of Tewkesbury in the Wars of the Roses in 1471, some of the defeated Lancastrians sought sanctuary in the abbey. The victorious Yorkists, led by Edward IV, forced their way into the abbey; the resulting bloodshed caused the building to be closed for a month until it could be purified and re-consecrated. After the dissolution of the monasteries the people of Tewkesbury saved the abbey from destruction. Insisting that it was their parish church which they had the right to keep, they bought it from the Crown for £453.

The current Church of the Holy Cross in Pershore was once the church of a Anglo-Saxon abbey. The founding of the abbey is attributed to King Æthelred of Mercia. In the 9th century Pershore reappears as a monastery under the patronage of Mercian kings. In the reign of King Edgar (959-975), Pershore appears as one of the abbeys to be re-established or restored under the programme of Benedictine reform. Around 1022 the abbey was destroyed by fire. However, the noble Odda of Deerhurst took over the monastery and donated lands. After his death in 1056he was buried in the monastery. In the 14th century, the nobleman Adam de Harvington took over the monastery and promoted its new building. In the course of the dissolution of the English monasteries (1536–1541) by Henry VIII, the monastery buildings were demolished along with the western part of the church. In 1686 the northern arm of the transept collapsed and was replaced by a wall. In 1862–64 a thorough restoration was undertaken, which also included opening the crossing tower towards the church to create a lantern tower. The corner turrets of the tower are an ingredient from 1871.

The current Church of the Holy Cross in Pershore was once the church of a Anglo-Saxon abbey. The founding of the abbey is attributed to King Æthelred of Mercia. In the 9th century Pershore reappears as a monastery under the patronage of Mercian kings. In the reign of King Edgar (959-975), Pershore appears as one of the abbeys to be re-established or restored under the programme of Benedictine reform. Around 1022 the abbey was destroyed by fire. However, the noble Odda of Deerhurst took over the monastery and donated lands. After his death in 1056he was buried in the monastery. In the 14th century, the nobleman Adam de Harvington took over the monastery and promoted its new building. In the course of the dissolution of the English monasteries (1536–1541) by Henry VIII, the monastery buildings were demolished along with the western part of the church. In 1686 the northern arm of the transept collapsed and was replaced by a wall. In 1862–64 a thorough restoration was undertaken, which also included opening the crossing tower towards the church to create a lantern tower. The corner turrets of the tower are an ingredient from 1871. Is this dog from hell wearing a muzzle

The current Church of the Holy Cross in Pershore was once the church of a Anglo-Saxon abbey. The founding of the abbey is attributed to King Æthelred of Mercia. In the 9th century Pershore reappears as a monastery under the patronage of Mercian kings. In the reign of King Edgar (959-975), Pershore appears as one of the abbeys to be re-established or restored under the programme of Benedictine reform. Around 1022 the abbey was destroyed by fire. However, the noble Odda of Deerhurst took over the monastery and donated lands. After his death in 1056he was buried in the monastery. In the 14th century, the nobleman Adam de Harvington took over the monastery and promoted its new building. In the course of the dissolution of the English monasteries (1536–1541) by Henry VIII, the monastery buildings were demolished along with the western part of the church. In 1686 the northern arm of the transept collapsed and was replaced by a wall. In 1862–64 a thorough restoration was undertaken, which also included opening the crossing tower towards the church to create a lantern tower. The corner turrets of the tower are an ingredient from 1871. In about 1840 the abbey was given a new baptismal font. The original Norman font was removed to the churchyard where it served as a cattle trough, and later as a garden ornament. In 1912 the old font was re-instated, on a new pedestal. The font is decorated with an interlacing arcade, in the panels of which are the figures of Christ and his Apostles.

The current Church of the Holy Cross in Pershore was once the church of a Anglo-Saxon abbey. The founding of the abbey is attributed to King Æthelred of Mercia. In the 9th century Pershore reappears as a monastery under the patronage of Mercian kings. In the reign of King Edgar (959-975), Pershore appears as one of the abbeys to be re-established or restored under the programme of Benedictine reform. Around 1022 the abbey was destroyed by fire. However, the noble Odda of Deerhurst took over the monastery and donated lands. After his death in 1056he was buried in the monastery. In the 14th century, the nobleman Adam de Harvington took over the monastery and promoted its new building. In the course of the dissolution of the English monasteries (1536–1541) by Henry VIII, the monastery buildings were demolished along with the western part of the church. In 1686 the northern arm of the transept collapsed and was replaced by a wall. In 1862–64 a thorough restoration was undertaken, which also included opening the crossing tower towards the church to create a lantern tower. The corner turrets of the tower are an ingredient from 1871. In about 1840 the abbey was given a new baptismal font. The original Norman font was removed to the churchyard where it served as a cattle trough, and later as a garden ornament. In 1912 the old font was re-instated, on a new pedestal. The font is decorated with an interlacing arcade, in the panels of which are the figures of Christ and his Apostles.