St Mary's Church Coity was completed in the early fourteenth century, however it is known the site had been used for worship before this date. It is built in the cruciform style typical of Norman churches of the time and has a chancel almost as long as the nave. Its most important feature is the 15th c. Easter Sepulchre, the only one still existing in Wales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Sepulchre The Church's six bells give the name of the local pub.
The church stands in the shadow of the now ruined Coity Castle, a Norman fortification built around 1100. The most important event during it's 900 years was the siege by Owain Glyn Dwr commenced in 1404. Owain's forces approached from the high land to the north of the castle, where they dug themselves in and commenced a bombardment. Unfortunately Owain did not grasp that the concept of a siege was to encircle the beleagured garrison and whilst he continued to hammer at the back door the Norman English defendants were re-supplied through the front door by boats coming up the River Ogmore. After nearly two years of this stalemate Owain gave up and went away. Disappearing into obscurity or legend, depending upon your nationalistic views. Who knows if Owain had been a better military strategist Wales might have been a kingdom now and not a principality !
“If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”