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St Mary

Shrewsbury

Shropshire

Original structure C12 with several phases of additions

Architectural Features

alterations in C14.

Mosaic of glass fragments incorporated in east window, vaulted roof with central boss depicting crucifixion.

East wall almost completely filled with 7-light reticulated traceried window, renewed in 1894, and a similar window in east wall of Trinity chapel alongside (chapel added mid C14), though stone work of chapel is much renewed.

Panelled door is dated 1672.

Royal arms over.

Paired 2-light clerestory windows over are C14 additions.

Panelled roof with ornate quatrefoil panels with pendants, and angels carved on the principal cambered tie beams.

Encaustic floor tiles throughout.

Romanesque arch to north transept which has suspended panelled and painted ceiling with pendants, and Gothick traceried memorial panels on west and north walls.

Monument by John Carline, 1825-30.

Clustered shafts as responds to east transept arch giving access to small chancel chapel: St Catherine's chapel, containing arched tomb embrasure in north wall, incised alabaster slab portraying 2 figures, and medieval encaustic tiled floor.

These 2 chapels are balanced on the south by St Anne's chapel, refurbished with C20 screens and suspended ceiling, and the later Trinity Chapel, added in the C14, enlarging an earlier lean-to chapel, the profile of which is visible in the west wall.

Altar with traceried panelled reredos incorporating mosaic-like figures of angels etc. Painted low relief panels of Crucifixion etc on altar frontal.

Sedilia incorporates alabaster carvings, not in situ.

Remains of C12 sedilia visible in south wall.

Traceried reredos with gilded and painted panels, altar with riddle posts capped by angels.

Various C18 memorial stones on walls, including memorial to Mary Morrell by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard.

STAINED GLASS: north aisle: C15 glass representing scenes from the New Testament and the lives of the saints, largely from Treves cathedral.

Glass of similar style in St Catherine's chapel.

The window also incorporates fragments of earlier glass assembled as a collage.

C15 glass in south wall from Liege, with 2 replacement windows by Betton and Evans.

Chancel: Jesse window to east, 1327-1353 but restored, from Greyfriars, Shrewsbury.

South aisle: from Liege and Treves, mostly early C16 acquired in 1845, including scenes from the Life of St Bernard and St Martin of Tours.

Vestry: series of C16

C17 Flemish roundels portraying scenes from Old Testament.