St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe

2013-06-26

A Medieval church with beautiful heraldic glass

St Michael’s is an impressive, imposing-looking church. It was built by eminent lawyer Bryan Roucliff in 1458 and is full of treasures bestowed by the Roucliff family.

Its military looking tower recalls those belligerent times. In the chancel is an elaborate Easter Sepulchre - a canopied wooden chest that played an important role in Easter worship in Medieval parish churches.

A monumental brass in the chancel has effigies of a man and woman, believed to be Roucliff and his wife.

Soft light streams through the church’s fine leaded windows enhancing the stone interior.