Architectural Features
entered through 4-centred moulded arch, with Hungerford badge of sickles and sheath over, wagon roof, plaster ceiling now removed with moulded ribs and principals, carved and painted bosses.
West door, moulded pointed arch with 3-light perpendicular tracery window in pointed arch with dripmould over, probably mid C14.
East window, 3-light elementary panel tracery under a depressed arch, from West door 5-steps lead down to Chapel flag-stone floor, at their foot a grave slab of a Chaplain, c1480 and to the east on 2-step podium, the Font
The font is 12th century and is probably a survivor of the earliest church. On the site of an early 14th century manor house, the inner court of the castle was built between 1377 and 1383. The outer court was added in 1430 and 1445 and further enhancements were made in the early 17th century. The castle was lived in until 1691. From 1730 the castle started to be broken up for salvage and by 1740 was ruinous. The outer court became a farmyard and the Priest House became the farmhouse. Now in the care of English Heritage, the castle is listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1058117 In the outer court, the chapel of Saint Leonard was the parish church which was originally outside the defences, but was included within the outer court as the castle chapel when the curtain was built. The chapel contains many medieval murals and the late 17th century tombs of the Hungerfords. In the crypt are a number of rare lead anthropomorphic coffins. The chapel is listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1345336 The Priest House is east of the chapel and separated from it by a narrow courtyard, and was extended northward to form a long low building in the 17th century. Now a museum, the building is listed, grade II*, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1058118 The site is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1015871
late C12, perhaps a survival from the earliest Church.
On the east wall, wall paintings c1440, St. George slaying the dragon, conventional patterning and the Hungerford Arms, added in C16.
On the south wall, wall painting of a knight, now almost disappeared.
Pulpit
made up from pieces carved c1600.
added 1380-1390 for Sir Thomas Hungerford as burial place for himself and his family, entered from Chancel under a wide, near semi-circular moulded arch.
Low pitched roof, roof timbers and walls richly decorated 1645-48, traces still survive.
Black and white marble floor also 1645-48.
Stained glass of Chantry chapel windows and in east window of Chancel, Flemish or Dutch C17 and C18, introduced in Mid C19.
under arch to Chantry Chapel, Sir Thomas Hungerford, 1398
Joan Hussey, his wife 1412.
5 elongated quatrefoils with shields, recumbent effigies of Sir Thomas mailed, head resting on helm, feet on lion, his lady in cloak and mantle, head upon cushion, feet on 2 dogs, enclosed by iron grille, re-erected c1820-1840, incorporates C17 fragments.
In south east corner of Chancel, Sir Walter Hungerford 1596, and his son Edward 1583, richly coloured, flat top with incised epitaph.
In north east corner of Chantry Chapel, Sir Edward Hungerford 1607 and Jane has wife, richly coloured flat top with incised epitaph and once lead filled, similar to Sir Water tomb.
In north west corner of Chantry Chapel Mary 1613, sister to Sir Edward Hungerford, with bronze epitaph plate on wall over.
Perimeter retaining wall, C19, random rubble Doulting stone, battlemented, incorporates C16 gateway with 4-centred arch chamfered stone surround with Hungerford badge over and C19 coped gable with cross finial.
Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 4).