St. Leonard is thought to have been a Frankish nobleman of the 6th Century. His Godfather, the king, offered him a Bishopric but he refused and became a hermit instead. He is the patron Saint of prisoners and pregnant women. He is usually shown wearing chains.
This church in Cliddesden is mentioned in Domesday Book and so it pre-dates the Norman Conquest. The only evidence of this early building is the INNER ARCH of the ANCIENT DOORWAY on the north side, opposite the present door. It may be of Saxon origin. The OUTER ARCH is Norman, probably of the 12th Century, and can also be seen from the outside of the church.
It is said to have had 12 priests between 1348 and 1373 (the time of the Black Death) which suggests the parish was reduced to poverty and the church probably neglected!
Then became the restoration:- the ROOF TIMBERS and TRUSSES IN THE NAVE were part of this late 14th and 15th century work. Major restoration occurred in 1890, and the WOODEN SCREEN, CHANCEL, SANCTUARY and VESTRY were added at that time. The exterior ROOF TILES clearly show where the extension was added to the eastern end of the building. The LYCH GATE was added at the same time. All these works were funded by W. Bradshaw of Audleys Wood as a memorial to his late wife (who was killed in a riding accident) and his daughter (having died about the same time).
An important addition in the 20th Century is the GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE situated in the churchyard. This was provided by the well-known innovative farmer, the late Rex Paterson of Hatch Warren Farm, in 1971.
NOW FOR THE CACHE.....
The above coordinates will take you to the headstone of Edward Cobden
Died Jan AB th ACCD aged EF
And his wife Mary
Died Oct F th ACCH agedJ K
The cache can be found at... N51 AH. (C-E) K D….W001 BD. D K B
If you add up all the digits in the final coordinates it will come to 35
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