Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon
"defasyng images in ye chapel". For defacing paintings on the Guild Chapel walls, John Shakespeare, Willam Shakespeare's father, was paid two shillings. Its not a lot, considering the time he put in. Elizabeth I was in office, and she issued an injunction in 1559 to "remove all signs of superstition and idolatry from places of worship."
The Guild Chapel was founded by the Guild of the Holy Cross in 1269. The Chapel stands today on Church Street, across from William Shakespeare's New Place. Hugh Clopton, a former owner of New Place, had presented murals to the Chapel. It is ironic that John Shakespeare made money whitewashing the murals that were funded by Clopton.
The Guild was suppressed during the Reformation. Its property was turned over to the Corporation of Stratford. The murals were uncovered in the 1950s. A major restoration is in progress to restore the mural of Doom over the chancel arch together with the Death Poem. Seen from the outside the Chapel is a plain building with a high tower.
Restored in 1983 by Stephen Dykes Bower, The Chapel has a Grade I listing. It is owned and operated by The Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust. The Chapel is in use as a chapel, providing services for King Edward VI School.
The Guild Chapel was founded by the Guild of the Holy Cross in 1269. The Chapel stands today on Church Street, across from William Shakespeare's New Place. Hugh Clopton, a former owner of New Place, had presented murals to the Chapel. It is ironic that John Shakespeare made money whitewashing the murals that were funded by Clopton.
The Guild was suppressed during the Reformation. Its property was turned over to the Corporation of Stratford. The murals were uncovered in the 1950s. A major restoration is in progress to restore the mural of Doom over the chancel arch together with the Death Poem. Seen from the outside the Chapel is a plain building with a high tower.
Restored in 1983 by Stephen Dykes Bower, The Chapel has a Grade I listing. It is owned and operated by The Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust. The Chapel is in use as a chapel, providing services for King Edward VI School.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Stratford-upon-Avon. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Guild Chapel on Map
Sight Name: Guild Chapel
Sight Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England (See walking tours in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, England (See walking tours in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Create Your Own Walk in Stratford-upon-Avon
Creating your own self-guided walk in Stratford-upon-Avon is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Tudor Houses Walking Tour
The first thing that strikes one walking across the medieval center of Stratford-Upon-Avon is the abundance of timber-framed Tudor houses. Their most notable feature, often combined with an overhanging upper story, is an exposed wooden framework; the rest is typically filled with brick, plaster or wattle-and-daub.
Many of these buildings have been kept in their original state, notably the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Many of these buildings have been kept in their original state, notably the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
William Shakespeare Walking Tour
The picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon is steeped in the history of William Shakespeare. Indeed, Shakespeare's hometown is where he was born and also where he passed away on the same day (23 April) 52 years later.
Many period locations in town, related to his and his family's life, are preserved as Britain's national heritage and visited by millions of people every year in a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Many period locations in town, related to his and his family's life, are preserved as Britain's national heritage and visited by millions of people every year in a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Stratford-upon-Avon Introduction Walking Tour
"Strat" is an Old English term derived from the Latin "Stratum", the word for street. A "ford" is a section of a stream where a crossing may be made. "Avon" is Celtic for river. Put them all together with links like a sausage and you have Stratford-upon-Avon. The ford actually exists. It is now marked by Clopton Bridge.
Primal Stratford was established by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Primal Stratford was established by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles