Polstead, Suffolk......

Polstead is beautiful, and St Mary's is just lovely with its stunning views.  My 4 x great grandfather's two brothers (Thomas and Samuel Wade) were baptised in Polstead in 1776 and 1779 respectively, but their parents Edward and Elizabeth Wade were from Layer de la Haye.  Edward was a carpenter by trade.

 

The pond is lovely....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's a heron and everything .....!

 

 

 

 

The present church is thought to date from the 1100's.....

 

 

 

Polstead Hall.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... medieval wall paintings, a bishop raising his hand in blessing .....

 

 

 

The bricks date to around 1160 and are the earliest English-made bricks in existence.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Medieval stained glass....

 

 

 

 

 

 

An early 15th century brass....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful detail......

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only original stone spire in the county.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continental Medieval stained glass....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria Marten is buried in Polstead churchyard.. the victim of the famous Red Barn murder....

 

 

The descendant of the original Gospel Oak.....

 

 

Norman brickwork....