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St Peter's, Tawstock, Devon

St Peter's, Yarnscombe
Parish Church of St Peter's, Tawstock, Devon


Interior of St Peter's St Peter's, Tawstock is a Grade I listed parish church largely dating from the 14th century but containing some12th century elements in the nave and chancel. The church is cruciform in plan with a nave, chancel, north and south aisle, north and south transepts, crossing tower, south porch, and two story vestry.
Chancel The chancel of St Peter's is dominated by the effigy tomb of William Bourchier, 3rd Earl of Bath (1557-1623), and the statue of Rachel Fane, Countess of Bath (1613-1680). The reredos is relatively modern, having been presented to the church along with the pews in the chancel by Sir Henry Bourchier Toke Wrey, 10th Baronet in 1888.
Lychgate and South Porch The lychgate was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott who restored St Peter's in 1867.
Sundial The sundial above the south porch is dated 1757. The inscription reads, "Watch and Prey. Time steals away."
Medieval Glass A few pieces of medieval glass survive in the west window of the north aisle. The Bourchier arms are incorporated into two of the shields. The shield on the right is blazoned with the arms of Thomas BOURCHIER (1404-1486) who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1454 until his death.
Bench End St Peter's, Tawstock houses four sixteenth century benches with elaborately carved ends. This is a hinky punk, a mythical and mischievous two-legged beast said to waylay unwary travellers and lure them into swamps.
Bench End This bench end displays the arms of Henry VIII supported by a dragon and a grayhound. Included in the design is the Tudor rose, and a pomagranate, the emblem of Catherine of Aragon.
Bench End This bench end features a Tree of Life motif and incorporates the Bourchier knot.
Bench End The final bench end features a grotesque of birds and monster heads.
Barnstaple Tiles A few Barnstaple tiles from the 16th century can be found at the foot of the statue to Lady Rachel Fane.
Corbel The arches separating the aisles from the nave feature corbels decorated with leaves and heads.
Corbel Human head corbel above a brass bracket.
Corbel A somewhat unusual human head corbel.
Corbel The significant of the three heads decorating this corbel is uncertain.
War Memorial This plaque in the north aisle commemorates the 19 men from the parish who died during World War One.
War Memorial Also in the north aisle is a plaque commemorating the five men from the parish who died during World War Two.
Manorial Pew This manorial pew dates from the 16th century when the Earls of Bath were lords of the manor of Tawstock.
Transept Ceiling The 18th century plaster ceilings of both the north and south transepts display a design featuring a sunburst motif with interlaced vine tendrils.
Gallery This gallery in the north transcept leads from the vestry to the tower.
Gallery Above a door on the south side of the church are carved the arms of John Bourchier, 2nd Earl of Bath (1499-1561), impaled with those of his wife Lady Eleanor Manners.
Roof The elaborate waggon roof of the south chancel features richly carved beams and roof bosses.
South Porch Roof Various carved roof bosses decorate of the beams of the south porch roof.
Green Man Although most of the carved roof bosses at St Peter's, Tawstock depict foliage, a few like this foliate head touch on other subjects. The foliate head or "green man" is a common roof boss motif in Devon churches. The green man is undoubtably of pagan origin and is commonly thought to represent fertility. Another interpretation, more in line with Christian teaching, is that the green man is a symbol of rebirth or resurrection.
Green Man The west end of the nave is dominated by the organ, dating from 1902, and the considerably older font. The font has an elaborate 17th century cover with crocketed ogee ribs and pinnacles around the crenellated drum.
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