Cleobury Mortimer Church
Again this was a church which remained in Mortimer hands throughout the family of Wigmore's existence, in this case coming to Ralph Mortimer (d.1118+) through the hands of Queen Edith (d.1074), the widow of Edward the Confessor (d.1066). In 1155 Cleobury castle was destroyed by King Henry II. This probably lay near the church, but its site has since been lost. Around 1172 Cleobury became the main residence of Hugh Mortimer, the aging lord of Wigmore. He died here on 26 February 1181 and was carried to Wigmore abbey for burial. Between 1182 and 1189 the first born son of Roger Mortimer (d.1214) died at nearby Snitton and was buried in Cleobury Mortimer church. Roger, like his father before him, favoured Cleobury as one of his major residences. The St Nicholas Chapel was founded by Roger Mortimer (d.1360) and was mentioned in 1359. As Mortimer only came of age in 1348 and was restored to all his lands only in 1354, this dates the chantry and contemporary north aisle to this period.
The
church would appear to have started as a standard nave and chancel
church, maybe with a west tower. Certainly the oldest part of the
church would
appear to be the base of the tower with its round headed arch.
The rest of the structure was rebuilt probably in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century when the chancel was expanded and the nave modified with a south aisle. Later the south aisle and porch were added and later again a chantry chapel a little before 1360. The south aisle would seem to have been built after 1272 as a coin of Edward I (1272-1307) was discovered buried in a recess in the wall. The roofs would appear to be fourteenth century as is the twisted broach spire on the tower. The church was repaired in 1793 by Thomas Telford and restored again in the late 1870s when a wall painting of the crucifixtion was discovered over the chancel arch.
Below is the view from the probable 1155 siege castle overlooking the town and castle.
Copyright©2013 Paul Martin Remfry