Freefolk
Driving from Whitchurch to Overton  you will see on the left side of the road a row of pretty thatched Cottages with a church standing behind. This is the village of Freefolk who shares its brand new church with adjoining Laverstoke, a few yards away on the opposite side of the road there is a sign pointing to the old 13th century church of St Nicholas which stand in a field behind the rectory, And inside there is a rather imposing monument that is not only colourful but is lined with gilt and the figure of a man lies on it in silver painted armour with his two daughters kneeling in black in front of the tomb.

This then is Sir Richard Powlett (1614) who lies with a sculptured helmet beside him but on the wall to the left and above is a real helmet and a spur.

The tomb of Sir Richard Powlett St Nicholas church, now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust

At the western end of the church is a beautiful screen that is said to be from the 15th century and nearby a painting depicting two bearded men holding the Ten Commandments on tablets can be found. Also cherubs holding the Creed and the Lord's Prayer are by the altar. There are also some signs of early wall paintings.
THE HISTORY OF ST NICHOLAS'S CHURCH

IMAGES OF FREEFOLK

  
St Mary's church, Freefolk   The thatched terrace cottages at Freefolk
 
One of the two wells in the grounds
of the thatched cottages		   Inside St Nicholas church
 
Memorial to Thomas Deane who had  bought the Manor
of Freefolk in 1682 and died in 1686, and his wife Anne
who survived him by 20 years		   The helmet and spur above the tomb of Sir Richard Powlett