This time took my road warrior skills to go again to jolly England with the Le Shuttle train service (see post), and my Ford ; towing along my good boys and wonderful Rex! It was a very nice trip going into the countryside and seeing several towns of wonderul architecture and history, This one was a first, and one of our highlights of the trip, we had our encounter with High Wycombe, and it was nice! Therefore, let me tell you on the Saint Michael and All Angels Church of High Wycombe in England !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Tucked just inside the gates of Hughenden Manor (see post) is the lovely Saint Michael and All Angels Church by Valley Rd, Disraeli and members of his family are remembered on a rather modest memorial found against the east wall. Although greatly restored by the Victorians, the church has 12C origins and on entering through the door can be found a beautiful 13C Early English tub font. On the wall nearby can be found an interesting old key which once opened the church door. A small iron ‘wedding ring’ can be seen set into the design of the key and this was used in wedding ceremonies for the poor of the parish, who could not afford to buy a wedding ring of their own.
Gaze up towards the chancel to witness the colourful and richly decorated chancel and a finely carved pulpit, products of the Victorian age. On the north wall of the chancel, behind the pulpit, is the monument erected by Queen Victoria to Disraeli. It is unique: the only known example of a memorial by a reigning English monarch to a subject. Nearby can be found Disraeli’s Banner and Insignia of the Order of the Garter which were transferred to Hughenden Manor on Queen Victoria’s orders. The Disraeli tomb in the churchyard is a large crypt containing the remains of a number of members of the Disraeli family. It was finally sealed when the last member of the family was buried there in 1967. For the Earl’s funeral use was made of the natural slope of the ground from West to East, and a cutting was dug from the line of the present hedge to the door of the crypt enabling the bearers to carry the coffin right into the crypt. One of the names on the tomb is not Disraeli. Mrs Brydges Williams, a great admirer of the statesman, offered to make him her heir if she might be buried alongside him. Her offer was accepted, and her body now lies in the crypt in Hughenden churchyard.
The Pulpit, dominates the nave, and is decorated with angels and archangels. The Archangel Michael, casting the Dragon out of heaven, is easily identified. The other main figures represent the angel of the Annunciation, the angel of the Revelation of St John, and the one which puzzles many people, the Archangel Raphael who guided Tobit on his journey. He is identified by the fish whose liver provided such an effective means of expelling a devil. The Baptismal font is Early English, probably the original one made for the church when built. Like many old fonts it was retrieved from a rubbish heap and put back in the church. In accordance with ancient custom, it is large enough for a baby to be baptised by immersion. The panels show traces of pigment suggesting they may at one time have been painted.
Most interesting perhaps are the effigies that rest within the chapel. Accessed through a small door, behind the organ are several ancient tombs and effigies of knights, members of the Wellesborne family. However on closer inspection, several can be seen to be forgeries and it is believed these were created on purpose to try to establish a link between the family and Simon de Montfort, 14C Earl of Leicester.
At the south west corner of the churchyard is a range of buildings known as Church House. In pre-reformation days this site was occupied by a small religious house for six monks and a prior. Between the Reformation and Queen Anne’s time it may have served as the house for the parish priest. At the beginning of the nineteenth century Church House was converted by Countess Lady Conyngham into three almshouses, with a fourth reserved for the parish clerk. In 1927, the advent of Old Age Pensions having made its former use unnecessary, Major Conyngsby Disraeli bought the cottages with a view to making them into a parish hall. The Church House has been faithfully restored
The National Churches Trust on the Saint Michael & All Angels Church of High Wycombe : https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/hughenden-st-michael-all-angels
The official Huguenden parish on the Saint Michael and All Angels Church : https://www.hughendenparishchurch.org.uk/
There you go folks , do dare drive in jolly England, it’s an adventure of a lifetime, and you will be back !!! as we have lol! Until another round chasing Sherlock we will be saying elementary my dear Watson to you all. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Saint Michael and All Angels Church of High Wycombe in England !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
