Holy Trinity Church and the final resting place of The Bard
Known variously as either The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity or Church of the Holy Trinity, more simply known as Holy Trinity Church or even more simply as “Shakespeare’s Church” in Stratford-upon-Avon, and the final resting place of William Shakespeare (Author’s Collection).
Part two of this mini-series of nine separate articles (yes, nine!) features over twenty images from both inside and outside of this 13th Century church and Grade I listed and protected building, as well as a handful of images from the River Avon as the pictorial journey of Tuesday 9th August continues with a special on the church itself and a precursor to Part 3 and a continuation of the sunshine filled stroll beside both the river Avon and the Stratford-upon-Avon canal.
The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a Grade I listed[3]parish church of the Church of England in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. It is often known simply as Holy Trinity Church or as Shakespeare’s Church, due to its fame as the place of baptism, marriage and burial of William Shakespeare. More than 200,000 tourists visit the church each year.[4]
The past building dates from 1210 and is built on the site of a Saxon monastery. It is Stratford’s oldest building, is situated on the banks of the River Avon, and is one of England’s most visited churches.[5] In the fourteenth century, John de Stratford founded a chantry, which was rebuilt between 1465 and 1497 by Dean Thomas Balshall, who is buried at the church.[6][7] The building is believed to have originally had a wooden spire, which was replaced by William Hiorne in 1763.[6]
Holy Trinity contains many interesting features, including:
Twenty-six 15th-century misericord seats in the chancel, with religious, secular and mythical carvings
Several large stained glass windows featuring major English and Biblical saints at the church’s east and west ends
The American window in St Peter’s Chapel, unveiled in 1896 and inscribed “The Gift of America to Shakespeare’s Church”
Copies of the baptismal and burial records of William Shakespeare
The carved scenes of the life of Christ around Balshall’s tomb were mutilated during the Reformation, as were most images of Christ. Notable “survivors” include a remarkable face of Christ or possibly God the Father within a sedilia canopy, and some beautiful medieval stained glass depicting the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ and the Day of Pentecost. The pre-Reformation stone altar slab or mensa was found hidden beneath the floor in Victorian times and has now been re-instated as the high altar.
*The inside church images were ruined by the artificial lighting but please stick with it as the outdoor images that bookend this edition are a doozy!*
*All images captured by me on Tuesday 9th August 2022*
A picture book welcome to a church of many names! From hereon in I’ll simply refer to her as “Holy Trinity Church”.
(1) The sun shining on the righteous of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
(2) The sun shining on the righteous of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
(3) The sun shining on the righteous of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
The artificial lights didn’t help but here’s a magnificent first view of the main chamber, chancel, and at the far end, burial commemoration, chamber and final resting place of The Bard.
The “High Altar” of Holy Trinity Church.
A return view toward the other end of the church and exit stage left.
Longer view of the above image with more definition visible of the incredible roof panels.
St Peter’s Chapel.
(1) Three images of the stained glass windows that surround the burial chamber and remembrance dedicated to William Shakespeare.
(2) Three images of the stained glass windows that surround the burial chamber and remembrance dedicated to William Shakespeare.
(3) Three images of the stained glass windows that surround the burial chamber and remembrance dedicated to William Shakespeare.
Burial plots and commemorations for the lives of Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare.
The burial chamber and final resting place of The Bard.
(1) Two further images of the outside of the church as you approach the riverside walkway just yards to your right.
(2) Two further images of the outside of the church as you approach the riverside walkway just yards to your right.
A final reminder of the beauty of this church steeped in so much history and a teaser trailer to Part 4 in this mini-series of articles as shortly after capturing this image, and having walked around to the far side of the river, I captured so many beautifully juxtaposed images of a partly hidden church as a backdrop to the pleasure boaters, cruisers, paddle boarders and canoeists enjoying the delights of the river on the sunniest of sunny days. See Part 4!
After an hour or so of walking I decided to treat myself to a paddle in the river! This was one of the many beautiful sights that greeted me as I rested my weary feet.
You can just make out the “Big Wheel” in the image above but here it’s far more prominent as we look back again on the entirety of the walk so far and oh so beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon.
A locally famous area for feeding swans but as you’ll see below, not the geese.
“Please do not feed the geese”. These swans have definitely marked their territory!
After finishing a mini loop from the “Big Wheel”, the canal and a small portion of the river, I return to the canal “basin” before covering the remainder not yet seen of both the canal and the river as well as those beautiful juxtaposed images of a partly hidden church and the revellers enjoying life on the river flowing beside it. See Part 4!
“The Countess” sure was busy all day long!. Here she’s increasing speed as she departs the “River Lock” that separates the canal from the river and a perfect final image for this article as it encapsulates the beauty and spirit of this cherished moment in time.
Your humble narrator larking around with his teenage son in the village of Gnosall, on the Shropshire Union Canal, end of July 2022.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this edition then please do return when the further and overly indulgent number of articles follow!
It was a precious day to me and of making memories that I’ll cherish for a long time to come.
In the meantime, please see these links to my three most recently published articles from my Summer travel series so far:
