Pictures of Ewelme

About Ewelme

Ewelme is located amid lush Oxfordshire countryside. Off the beaten track, not far from the Ridgeway Path, Ewelme is a quiet place particularly noted for its historic parish church. St.Mary the Virgin is a well preserved Perpendicular building with a striking exterior. The interior contains the magnificent tomb of Thomas Chaucer. Thomas was the son of Geoffrey Chaucer the poet. He was lord of the manor of Ewelme, who fought as a soldier at the battle of Agincourt. His tomb is decorated with 24 painted heraldic shields. Nearby is the tomb of his daughter, Alice de la Pole, Duchess of Suffolk who died in 1475. Her tomb is of alabaster and has a splendid carved effigy. Alice and her husband William, Duke of Suffolk founded the Almshouses (1437) close to the church. These ancient building have a cloister walk set around a quad and were originally intended for two chaplains and 13 poor men. One chaplain was to be master of the almshouses and the other was to be Grammar Master of the nearby school. These beautiful buildings survive to this day, making a trip to this picturesque area well worth while.

Nearby, the interesting town of Wallingford has remains of a Norman castle demolished by Oliver Cromwell's troops in the year 1652.