St. Mary’s Church, Swine

Part of this C12th church is linked to the time of St. Stephen, when a Cistercian Priory was founded here. The church was cruciform but the nave and crossing of the priory church is lost, mostly under farm buildings to the west. The church consists of the original aisled chancel, with large perpendicular windows, and a later west tower, rebuilt in 1787. Only eight surviving choir stalls remain, each with a misericord; two screens partly dating from 153; a 17th century pulpit with decorative panels and a late 18th century font. The central tower survived the Reformation but was replaced by another, at the present W. end, C.1787. The interior comprises a structurally-undivided nave of four bays and chancel of one bay, with N and S aisles off the arcades, and a N chapel (Hilton chapel) off the chancel. This chapel has an arch into the chancel that is in line with the N arcade but of later date.(Pevsner and Neave 1995, p719). Most remarkable of all are the medieval alabaster effigies located in the aisles and chapels. Finely carved with lifelike faces, detailed armour and the dignified costumes of the late 14th century, these knights of the Hilton family and their ladies lie on tomb chests decorated with shields and angels. They have a very powerful, majestic presence and are surprisingly well preserved.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

1000-1600

Location & directions

Swine Church, Main Street, Swine, Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU11 4JE

Contact on day:

Pat Porter

Telephone number:

+441482812070

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Guides will be available to show visitors around the church

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