Photos by Michelle Townhill: on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

Great shot,++MY VOTE++ I hope you can find a minute to look at, and maybe vote My April contest Or even to visit My contest Picture.

Greetings from Italy. Giorgio

The Tomb Stone of Lord Darcy died in the Battle of Towton 1461. Next to this is a memorial stone to all the fallen at Towton, donated by the Towton BattleField Society in 2007

Thank all of you. I'm glad you like it.

I do not take as many black and white photos as I once did, but I still enjoy that media.

Larry

Oh my really >>LOL<< this has been on top of the hill for the past 20 years, still unsure EHY? to this day!! But thanks for your comments on my picture

The church itself is unusually large for a village parish church and dates from around 1120, with Norman pillars and a later-built large tower housing a ring of 8 bells. It was built on the site of an earlier Saxon church. The Battle of Towton was fought nearby in 1461 and local legend tells that King Edward IV used the church tower as a point for surveying the battle lines. On a clear day you can see York minster from here, the Church it's self is on the pinnacle point of Sherburn-in Elmet and it can be seen for miles.

St Mary Lead Nr Towton Picture taken as far back as possible against the pulpit in the corner as I wanted to get as much detail as I possible could!! at the bottom of this picture you will note that there are 3 tomb slabs you can almost make out the fourth, they were the family who built this church and the lived across in what was there manor house "no longer there" is were the Farm house is, you can see the etching on the slabs just about the furthest one has a floriated cross and chalice denoting that of a grave of a priest. The second grave slab has the arms of the Tyas with slight variation (mallets bendways) Norman French in Lombardic lettering :- PRIEZ PVR LALME FRANCONIS TIESCI ICI GIST CHEVALIER- In English :- Pray for the Soul of Franco Tyas, Knight, who lies here. (Franco was Baldwin and Marjorie's son and was alive in the 1200s) The third grave slab is that of Marjorie Tyas has the arms of the Tyas and in Roman lettering :- NOBILIS DOMINE MARGORIA CUIVS ANIME PROPICIETVR DEVS AMEN. In English :- The Noble Lady Marjorie on whose soul may God have mercy. Amen. (Marjorie was Baldwins wife) the fourth one which is just out of shot, is that of Baldwin Tyas which says :- In Lombardic lettering:- NOBILIS MILES BALDVINVS TEVTONICVS. In English :- The Noble Knight Baldwin Tyas. (Known to have been alive in 1219-36)

Here is a little church just standing there in a middle of a field, out of the way from sight, never been in anyone's way, has got a History that spans of over 800 years that most churches or Cathedrals would love to have. The Tyas family once owned it and also the Scargills, it been through the battle of Towton and alot lot more, but only left to rack and ruin, until 1938 a group of walker decided to save this little church, for us to enjoy for a further 800 years, affectionately know as the "Ramblers church", but better known as St Mary Lead.