St Mary the Virgin, Wiggenhall

In a tranquil setting in open fields and next to an orchard, this church, dating from around 1400, is a fine example of the Perpendicular style, and is unusual in having a tower built mainly of brick. There is a lovely sundial over the porch entrance. But it is the exquisite carvings inside which make a visit truly memorable. The benches, dating from the 15th century, are among the most remarkable in the country. The backs have elegant piercing and tracery, while the ends have carvings representing saints, with details of the heads and costumes most finely and intricately worked. The font cover, too, is a fine piece of carving, dating from the Jacobean period. The pulpit is of the same date, and has a sounding board, which helped project the preacher’s voice out to the congregation. Although the upper part of the mediaeval rood-screen has long since disappeared, the lower portion has excellent carving and depictions of eight saints painted on its panels. There are some interesting monuments, including a brass set in the floor of the south chapel, in the shape of a heart. It commemorates Sir Robert Kervile who died abroad. His wife sent a monk to retrieve his heart for burial here. There is a very fine alabaster monument to Henry Kervile and his family, in the chapel on the north side of the aisle.