History in Structure

Church of the Holy Rood

A Grade I Listed Building in Sparsholt, Oxfordshire

  • Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt

  • Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt

  • Nave, screen and chancel, Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt

  • Saxon Font, Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt

  • Holy Cross: church rebuilt by Robert Achard & William de Herleston early c14; approach from the north-west

  • Holy Cross: north side with c13 west tower with later broach spire, late c13 bell openings

  • Holy Cross: view from the north; late Norman doorway with round arch, long Decorated windows

  • Holy Cross: nave looking towards ogee screen beneath Decorated chancel arch; early c14 chancel of chalk, renewed reticulated east window

  • Holy Cross: early c14 piscina, sedilia & tomb recess all with cusped ogee arches

  • Holy Cross: early c14 sedilia & piscina; ogee arches, cusping & head cusps

  • Holy Cross: tomb recess or Easter Sepulchre in north wall of chancel; effigy of priest placed underneath

  • Holy Cross: early c14 Achard tomb in south wall of chancel, cross legged knight

  • Holy Cross: effigy of c14 knight, probably an early Achard from earlier church

  • Holy Cross: three over life-sized c14 oak effigies in south transept; weepers along the eastern one

  • Holy Cross: oak effigy to Robert Achard, d.1353

  • Holy Cross: oak effigy to Robert Achard, d.1353

  • Holy Cross: effigy of Joanna, first wife of Robert Achard, d.1353; figures supporting pillow

  • Holy Cross: effigy of Agnes, second wife of Robert Achard, d.1353; made from single block of oak showing fine drapery

  • Holy Cross: close-up of Agnes, second wife of Robert Achard, d.1353; widow’s dress, veil & wimple

  • Holy Cross: large wall tablet of chalk to John Pleydell, d.1591 & wife Bridget, d.1623; cherubs, fruit & exotic beasts

  • Holy Cross: George Hyde of Kingston Lisle, d.1623, & wife Katherine (Ferrers of Tamworth); tablet with strapwork

  • Holy Cross: William de Herleston, d.1353, priest in mass vestments in head of a cross (most missing); appointed rector 1312 by Robert Achard

  • Holy Cross: possibly Thomas Bothe, c.1495, in civilian dress (only upper part remains)

  • Holy Cross: two sons of Thomas Bothe, c.1495

  • Holy Cross: John Fettiplace of Sparsholt, d.1602

Upload Photo

Entry Name: Church of the Holy Rood

Listing Date: 24 November 1966

Grade: I

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1048702

English Heritage Legacy ID: 250775

ID on this website: 101048702

Location: Holy Rood Church, Sparsholt, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, OX12

County: Oxfordshire

District: Vale of White Horse

Civil Parish: Sparsholt

Traditional County: Berkshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Oxfordshire

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.