On English churches (part 3) - St Bartholomew’s

In the earlier blog about the actual castle at Richards Castle, I looked briefly at the history of the castle ruins, but this also is tied to a rather nice church just in front. St Bartholomew’s, Richard’s Castle is no longer a working parish church, but is still consecrated ground and now run by the Churches Conservation Trust (to whom I really should become a member). The church was originally established by Richard Fitz Scrob or his son just outside the castle’s outer bailey and so dates from 1100 and something most likely. The church itself The chancel and nave are either original, or close enough to it, but there are other interesting features added later. First and most obvious, isn't even the church, its a square tower about 10m to the east. Square, and fortified although less militaristic than Garway its openings face north, east and south with only the door on the western side. Built in late 1200s to early 1300s, its assumed it aided the castle in defence. Later in the…