SS. Mary and Hardulph, Breedon, Leicestershire
Description
The church of SS. Mary and Hardulph, standing on the top of the rock and forming a conspicuous object in the landscape, was formerly the church of the Augustinian priory here, and sufficient remains exist of the original Norman fabric to show that it was a large cruciform structure; the existing church is, however, principally a work of the 13th century, consisting of nave and chancel with clerestory, aisle, south porch and a massive embattled western tower containing 4 bells, 3 of which bear the date 1604 and inscriptions; the 4th was cast at Loughborough in 1847: the font is Norman: the north aisle, formerly a mortuary chapel of the Shirleys, is now a private chapel belonging to Earl Ferrers; the old pew in the centre still remains; it bears the date 1627 and is adorned with coats of arms; the east end, which is divided from the centre by iron railings, contains three very handsome monuments to this family, two bearing date 1570 and 1595, and also a low tomb with a full-sized skeleton resting on the top: there are also many ancient and modern memorials to the Ferrers, Curzon and Shakespear families: in the south aisle is a memorial window to James Cowlishaw, d. 1854, and in 1900 another was erected by Mrs. Earp, of Staunton Harold, to her father and mother and two children: over the south porch is a parvise, now used as a vestry: in 1927 the sanctuary space was enlarged and other alterations carried out; a fragment of an ancient cross was discovered in the wall during this work and was removed, being now on exhibition in the church: there are 200 sittings.
Church Records
The parish register dates from the year 1562.