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Information for record number MWA2055:
Church of St Mary, Middle Tysoe
The Church of St Mary which was originally built during the Medieval period. The Church was restored in the 19th century.
Type: Church
Period: Modern (1080 AD - 2050 AD)
Parish: Tysoe
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 44
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached
Source Number
1 Chancel, North vestry, nave, North and South aisles, South porch and West tower. The building dates from the end of the 11th century or beginning of the 12th century, when the nave was shorter and probably narrower. The narrow South aisle was added some time after the mid 12th century. Nave lengthened and West tower built at end of 12th century; the South aisle and arcade may have been lengthened then or soon after circa 1330-40: The nave was widened to the North and the North aisle added, the clearstorey built, and the South aisle rebuilt, retaining the 12th century South doorway. Late 15th century: Chancel rebuilt and tower heightened. 15th century porch. 15th century roofs to nave and chancel. Church restored 1854 and 1912. The vestry and organ-chamber was added in 1872. 14th century font. Monuments. There was a priest at Tysoe in 1086.
7 Observation and recording in advance of development uncovered a previously unsuspected foundation, possibly an early west tower replaced when the nave was extended in the mid to late 12th century. The fieldwork also suggested that (at variance with the VCH theory) the original north wall of the Church was on the line of the present north wall of the nave, rather than to the south of it. Pottery dating to the 12th and 13th centuries was recovered together with medieval floor tile fragments. No evidence came to light to suggest that the Church is located on a former Romano Celtic temple.
9 A watching brief was carried out in July 2014 within the nave after the removal of a number of pews and disturbance to the floor surface. The shallow nature of the excavations meant that archaeological levels were not disturbed, although some residual medieval tile fragments and other post medieval material was recovered.
11 Church. Late 11th century origins, with late 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th century alterations and additions. Restored 1854 by Gilbert Scott. Squared, coursed ironstone. Parapeted roofs. Chancel, nave with clerestory, north and south aisles and west tower. Chancel of two bays with offset buttresses, plinth and parapet. To east a five-light cusped 15th century window within hollow chamfered surround. Two further three-light cusped windows to south, and one to north, with hollow chamfered surrounds. To north a 19th century vestry with two reticulated windows and plank door within pointed arch. Nave of four bays with pierced quatrefoil parapet to south, wavy line to north. Corbel table below of carved animal heads. Pinnacles with cusped panels and crockets. Aisles have plinth, coped parapet, offset diagonal buttresses and gargoyles to north. To centre of south aisle a plank door within late 12th century round headed arch of two orders of shafts with rings, and water-leaf capitals with lozenge and nailhead mouldings in the arch. Above an Agnus Dei panel in bas relief with carved corbel to either side, that to right a beakhead. 15th century porch with double chamfered arch and moulded imposts. Double plank doors. To left of door a 20th century two-light window. To right a 14th century three-light reticulated window with hood mould and label stops. To far right a 15th century three-light Square-headed window with cusped lights, hood mould and carved label stops. To north aisle a plank door within moulded, pointed arch with hood mould and label stops. To left and right of porch a 14th century three-light reticulated window. To far left a three-light window of intersecting tracery. Windows have hood moulds and label stops. To west of north aisle a single round-headed light. Renewed two-light reticulated window with hood mould and label stops to west of south aisle. Clerestory has eight 14th century Square-headed 2-light windows to north and south of differing cusped tracery. All have dropped hood moulds and label stops. To east gable end a 17th century sanctus bell turret. West tower of four offset stages with plinth, buttresses and battlemented parapet with Pinnacles. To south a blocked round-headed arch and round-headed light to west. To third stage a late 12th century corbel table, with a small single light below to north and south. Fourth stage has two-light cusped bell chamber openings with hood moulds and label stops. Cusped panels to each corner, and gargoyles below parapet. Interior: 15th century many-moulded chancel arch. Nave arcade of four bays. To south 12th century round piers with scalloped and round capitals on Square abaci. Responds to east and west. Two blocked 11th century openings above. North arcade has 15th century octagonal piers with double-chamfered arches and responds, that to east with small cusped piscina. Pointed doorway to north. 15th century triple-chamfered tower arch, now blocked. Roofs mostly 15th century, partly restored. Nave and aisle roofs are supported on 15th century carved corbel heads. In chancel a tomb to William Clarke, died 1618. In north aisle wall a 12th century tomb in 14th century cusped ogee recess, with finial. In east wall of south aisle a memorial tablet to Ralph Wilcox, died 1659. In north aisle wall a brass to Thomas Mastrupe, dated 1463. In east wall of north aisle brasses to the Browne family, dated 1598 and 1611. A tablet in porch, dated 1662. Two further 17th century tablets in external porch wall. In nave a late 14th century octagonal stone font with reliefs of the Virgin and Child, the Baptism of Christ and various saints in crocketed ogee gables.
Source No: 9
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: St Mary's Church, Middle Tysoe, Warwickshire Archaeological Watching Brief
Author/originator: C Coutts
Volume/Sheet: 1460
Source No: 12
Source Type: Article in serial
Title: Symbols of Status in Medieval Warwickshire (1000-1500)
Author/originator: Hook D
Volume/Sheet: 117
Title: History of Tysoe Church, article in Tysoe Parish Magazine
Author/originator:
Volume/Sheet:
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Volume/Sheet: 5
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Archaeological Observation at St Mary's Church, Tysoe
Author/originator: Ian Greig
Source Type: Serial
Title: West Midlands Archaeology Vol 57
Author/originator: CBA West Midlands
Volume/Sheet: No 57
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 15SE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Volume/Sheet: 15SE2
St. Mary's Church, Middle Tysoe
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.
Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
VCH The Victoria County History of the Counties of England. This publication covers the history of each county in England. For Warwickshire, seven volumes were published between 1904 and 1964. They comprise a comprehensive account of the history of each town and village in the county, and important families connected to local history. Each volume is organised by 'hundred', an Anglo-Saxon unit of land division. The Victoria County History also contains general chapters about Warwickshire's prehistory, ecclesiastical and economic history. A copy of each volume is held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.
Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)
In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)
The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.
The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.
The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII's (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)
The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.
This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)
SHAFT * Use only if function unknown, otherwise use specific type. back
FIELDWORK * A usually temporary earthwork or fortification, the latter constructed by military forces operating in the field. Use more specific type where known. back
HOLLOW * A hollow, concave formation or place, which has sometimes been dug out. back
BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. back
TURRET * A small tower or bartizan, which was often placed at the angles of a castle, to increase the flanking ability, some only serving as corner buttresses. Also used to describe the small rectangular towers situated between the milecastles along Hadrians Wall. back
FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
MAGAZINE * A building in which a supply of arms, ammunition and provisions for an army is stored. back
TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
VESTRY * A room or part of a church where the vestments, vessels and records are kept. back
PIER * A structure of iron or wood, open below, running out into the sea and used as a promenade and landing stage. back
PISCINA * A perforated stone basin usually built into the wall of a church on the south side of the altar. Used for carrying away the ablutions (wine and water used to rinse the chalice, and wash the priests hands after communion). back
FONT * A vessel, usually made of stone, which contains the consecrated water for baptism. Use a broader monument type if possible. back
SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
PINNACLE * A vertical, pointed structure usually resembling a pyramid or cone. Use for component of a larger building type where it is now used as a freestanding ornament. back
ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
TOMB * A grave or sepulchre including a monument. Use specific type where known. back
TEMPLE * Use for places of worship. For later landscape features use, eg. GARDEN TEMPLE. back
* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)
Warwickshire Historic Environment Record, Communities, PO Box 43, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4SX Telephone: 01926 412734