St Mary

late C12

Mid-late C11; late C12 and early C13 enlargement; C14 and C15 alterations. 1863 restoration by Gilbert Scott; late C19 restoration by Waller and Son. Random and coursed rubble limestone; stone slate roof. Round arched south doorway with single roll moulded order and hoodmould with stiff- leaf stops. Transitional south porch with dogtooth enrichment to pointed archway. Parapet lean-to roof to short early C13 south aisle with small lancet windows; large C15 Perpendicular-traceried window inserted right of porch. South nave wall clearly displays the progressive enlargement of the church. Section of wall immediately to left of aisle is C11 with original circular clerestory window surviving; C13 lancet below. Extension to west appears late C12 with pilaster buttresses and moulded mid-height string courses. Two lancets set at high level. C15 clerestory with crenellated parapet and 2-light windows, 3 trefoil headed, one to west with ogee tracery. Clasping buttresses to west end of nave with large 5-light Perpendicular-traceried window; crenellated parapet gable with central lancet recess and flanking recesses. Similar buttresses to lower stage of tower; C15 belfry with 2- light trefoil headed openings and crenellated parapet. (Source:Historic England)

© Oswald Bertram

early C13 enlargement

C14

C15 alterations.

Parapet lean-to roof to short early C13 south aisle with small lancet windows

large C15 Perpendicular-traceried window inserted right of porch.

Section of wall immediately to left of aisle is C11 with original circular clerestory window surviving

C13 lancet below.

Extension to west appears late C12 with pilaster buttresses and moulded mid-height string courses.

C15 clerestory with crenellated parapet and 2-light windows, 3 trefoil headed, one to west with ogee tracery.

C15 belfry with 2- light trefoil headed openings and crenellated parapet.

Buttressed north aisle with C14 Decorated windows

C12 north doorway reset, has chevron arch and carved abaci, plain tympanum having had later trefoil cut-out.

elaborately carved fragment of Saxon pilaster in adjacent chancel wall.

Fine arcaded east triplet dating from C13 extension of chancel.

East respond has elaborately carved capital, otherwise capitals are scalloped or waterleaf types.

Saxon nave pilasters are still partially surviving in north aisle above arcade.

C13 Early English 3-bay south arcade.

Saxon jambs and imposts to C13 chancel arch breaking through Saxon string course above.

C16 seat in chancel is said to be part of a bedstead.

Pulpit in nave, probably by Scott.

Square early C13 transitional font in south aisle has 4 corner and one central pillar, outer with rope mouldings.

Memorial slab in north aisle inscribed in latin: 'REVERENDI BENIAMINI WYNNINGTON', died 1673.

Fine stained glass to principal windows, east by T. Willement of 1855, west by Wailes, probably 1860s.

Stained glass window in the chancel of Bibury church. The window was created by Karl Parsons in 1927. The image of Mary and baby Jesus [[[5864835]]] was used on the 26p Christmas stamp in 1992 by the Royal Mail in the UK.

© Philip Halling

Small window lighting altar retains some C13 glass.

The extent of Saxon remains allow a reasonable reconstruction of the immediately pre-conquest church.

Of great interest also are the Transitional features, especially the carved capitals to the north arcade, part of a series of alterations by the monks of Oseney after their appropriation of the church in 1151.