Great Malvern Priory explored

The Priory Church of St. Mary & St. Michael in Malvern, Worcestershire was my final stop during the two months spent in England. The priory was originally built as a Benedictine Monastery in 1085 on land belonging to Westminster Abbey. Upon the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540 under King Henry VIII, the citizens of the town raised £20 and bought the building in 1541 to replace their dilapidated parish church.
Over the centuries, extensions & re-modelling have altered the look of the building, but the original Norman architecture is still much in evidence.

The church is known for having the largest display of 15th century stained glass in England, a large collection of medieval floor and wall tiles, together with numerous fine monuments & memorials. The effigies of John Knottsford, "servant of King Henry VIII" who died in 1589, his wife Jane and their daughter, Anne. The recumbent figure of Sophie Thomson, circa 1838 by Peter Hollins are amongst the finest.

Of particular note, the medieval misericords dating back to the 14 & 15th centuries. The carvings include scenes from daily life, satirical & allegorical subjects, beasts and the months of the year.