View across chancel to nave with Brudenell tomb on right
Stonton Wyville lies 11 miles south-east of Leicester in the district of Market Harborough. As with Cranoe and Glooston which are already in the Journal, this again is a very small village which forms part of the Gartree Hundred which was an administrative area dating back to 1086.
North side of church
There was a priest mentioned living in the parish in 1086 but the earliest parts of the church date back to c 1300. It is built of Ironstone rubble and limestone and consists of a chancel, bell-cote and nave. The south wall of the nave originally had a south aisle which four bays (now blocked) formed a arcade these date from the 13th century. The windows inserted into the blocked arcade date from the 18th Century when the church was much restored.
In 1863 Goddard’s of Leicester carried out restoration, which included new roofs for the Chancel and Nave, the south porch and nave walls were re-faced with ironstone and limestone. In 1951 the East Wall of the Chancel was rebuilt.
Brudenell tomb with relief of wife (headless) and children
The chancel holds a fine alabaster table tomb to Edmund Brudenell who died in 1590. The front panel has reliefs of his three children and wife (now headless). There are also other mural monuments to other Brudenell’s in the Chancel. The church was united with Glooston in 1931 and the rector lived there.
There are a small number of houses and farms in this very small village as well as a manor house and some earthworks. Population is approx 50 people, in 1821 it was 122 but as in so many of the villages in this area this has been decreasing.
Stonton Wyville was the earliest part of the Brudenell estates and in 1628 Thomas Brudenell was created Baron Brudenell of Stonton.
Stonton Wyville south porch, a very atmospheric church
There is room to park near the church and you should have no problems with a wheelchair. I have been to this church twice and once it was open, this church is still cared for and looked after which is great to find. The church is very small but peaceful and the monuments in the chancel are worth a look as are the fine 13th Century arches in the south nave wall. I do like this church, set in glorious countryside in a very quiet village it is worth a visit. You could easily walk to Glooston and Cranoe from here and enjoy a pint at the pub in Glooston and then return.
Pot luck whether this is open or not, twice been open and once closed.
October 14, 2019
Is there any documentation related to Baron Brudenells children in Parish records.
June 8, 2020
I am seeking information on the Revd John Edwards (1838-?1903) who served as Rector of Stonton Wyville from 1889 until 1894.
Do you possibly have an image of him, or is there a memorial tablet to him in the Church. I believe he is buried in Kent. Thank you.
March 16, 2023
I found the following information on a flckr account on line
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/6864926924/in/photostream/]
This information was associated with pictures from your church. Could you tell me where this information is found within your records? I am working on a family tree and want to make sure I have the correct Thomas Brudenell -NOT the first Lord Cardigan – who m. Dorothea Smith and sired Ann Brudenell Orme.
Leicestershire, Stonton Wyville
Elizabeth widow of Edmund Brudenell 1590. she was the daughter of William Burnell of Winkburn Notts http://www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/7023447777/
“Here lyeth buried ye bodie of Edmund Brudnell of Stanton Wivell, esquire, who departed this life the XIV Maye 1590. A man that lyved in the true feare of God, a lover of hospitallitie, pitiful to the poor, a quieter of controversies in his co’trie, beloved of his neighbours, learned in the laws of the realme both civill and common: he married Elizabeth, one of the daughters of William Burnell of Wickbourne (Winkburn) in the countie of Nottingham, esquire by whom he had two sonnes and two daughters: Agnes, Robert, Thomas and Frances”.
Edward was the son of Anthony.Brudenell and Jane Elkington (?) and grandson of Sir Robert Brudenell 1531 http://www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/14158250875/ of Deene
Children
1. Thomas m Dorothy http://www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/6871997964/ daughter of Henry Smith of Withcock
2. Robert died an infant
1. Agnes m John Flackett of Hanson Grange Derbyshire (living 1634)
2. Frances m Roger Hurt
– Church of St Denys, Stonton Wyville Leicestershire
Thank you so very much! L. Sue Titchenell
March 8, 2024
I wonder if you can confirm that this bell still exists. He is in my family tree:
26 oct 1778
14/NOU L 1865
Jonathan Wade (1778 – 1855), who married Ann Weed, has his name cast on the principal bell in the belfry of the family church in the village of Stonton, Wyville Parish in Leicestershire. He was a church warden. Wades of Stonton in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s up to say 1850 were wealthy gentlemen farmers, but their possession were dwindled away by bad agricultural times. The families began to disintegrate and went to different parts of England.
In those days all the farms in Leicestershire were part of the Cardigan Estate
– the Wades, and others only had life tenure renewed on the death of the holder.
6u April
August 27, 2024
My grandmother was a Wade. We visited the Church this July and I heard reference to this bell. The family farm is still there and is owned by a family with Wade in the name. Hope this helps.
March 20, 2024
I would like to know the dates David Davenport was vicar
April 14, 2024
I have a book that once belonged to somebody who was living in the Stonton Wyville rectory in the 1850s. His name is John but I cannot work out the rest of it. Perhaps you could let me know his full name and for how long he lived in the rectory. If you contact me by email, I will be able to provide you with a photo of his full name.