 |
|
Photo reproduced by courtesy of
Gwynn
White
|
 |
|
Shorwell is a lovely little
village that has three manor houses a church some lovely thatched
cottages and whats more important an extremely good village pub!
It lies beneath the downs and is a
good base for those who love walking, a steep shute leads out of
the vilage and here a rustic bridge crosses over the road. Here
you will find the car park and access to many lovely downland
walks
On the way back to the village the gates
of
Northcourt Manor
will be found, the manor has some impressive architecture and lies in
beautiful gardens which are sometimes open to the public.
The second manor lies beside the
Brightstone Road, this is Westcourt Manor which has a farm adjacent to
it and a path that leads to Wolverstone Manor which was built by the
islands Deputy Governor in honour of Queen Elizabeth I. Here there is
also a working farm but not open to the public. The manor is reputed to
have a ghost.
|
|
Looking down
Shorwell Shute with the rustic bridge across the road
Photo courtesy
of IOWCAM |
|
|
The village church is dedicated to St
Peter and stands in the centre of the village and has three aisles.
There seems to be a fair amount of
treasures here but its main treasure can be seen when entering the
church door, for there is a large wall painting showing the rector being
carried by St Christopher, the rector is dressed in a full sleeved gown
with a rosette fastener on one should and it is dated from the 15th
century.
Also here is Sir John Leigh who is seen
kneeling in prayer at his desk protected by a canopied alabaster
monument in the North aisle and he is dressed in clothes of the period,
a ruff and hose, and his great-grandson Barnabas can be seen standing
behind him.
When Sir John was lying in the house
awaiting burial, Barbabas who was nine months old became ill and died
and they both lie together with an epitaph that ends
Inmate in grave, he took his grandchild heir,
Whose soul did haste to make to him repair,
And so to heaven along as little page
With him did post, to wait upon his age,
Sir John
was responsible for the building of the house across the way called
North Court and he also gave the church its spire and weathercock
shi is dated 1617.
HISTORY OF
ST PETERS CHURCH
|
