St Mary's Chapel, Lead 2011

Описание: Close to Lotherton Hall near Leeds.Near The Crooked Billet. Visit the church, it is really something.....
This tiny 14th century church, St Marys Lead, stands alone in the middle of a field. The bumps and furrows of earthworks in the field indicate the site of a mediaeval manor house, for which St Marys was probably originally the chapel. Only a short distance away is the site of the battle of Towton, the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil, which brought the Wars of the Roses to an end in 1461. Ten thousand men are said to have been killed, and Cock Beck, the little stream which you cross to get to St Marys, is said to have run red with blood.
Despite its awesome history, St Marys is a peaceful place. It is known locally as the Ramblers Church, because it was thanks to the enthusiasm of a group of ramblers that the church was saved from neglect and decay in 1931. The repairs made then are recorded on the back of the church door.
The tiny rectangular building is very simple. It was probably built by the Tyas family, whose massive grave slabs are set into the floor. Carved with heraldic symbols and inscriptions, and dating from the 13th century, they are an important and interesting collection. Later additions were made to the church in the 18th century, with a rustic pulpit, clerks pew, reading desk and painted texts.