Leicester's Church (Remains)

Cadw's description

Location

Located within the old walled town on Castle Hill, some 50m NE of the tower of St Hilary's Church.

History

Leicester's Church was built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Baron Denbigh and favourite of Queen Elizabeth, apparently with the intention of transferring the See from St Asaph to Denbigh. Dedicated to St David, work on the new church commenced in 1578 (a dated foundation stone is recorded) and a there is mention of a further dedication inscription of 1579. However, work was suspended in 1584 when the church was still incomplete and following Leicester's death in 1588 the site was used as a quarry. The imposing ruins nevertheless represent the remains of what was probably the most significant and ambitious example of Protestant church building in the Elizabethan period. The church was conceived as a rectangular hall church type with tall N and S aisles and 10-bay arcades.

The area within the walls was subsequently used as a cockpit and arena, where duels are recorded as having been fought in the C17.

Exterior

Ruins of the former church of St David. Of roughly-dressed local limestone with red/brown sandstone ashlar dressings. The church occupies a site of approximately 54.9m x 22.9m; the N aisle wall and W gable stand to more or less full height, with the S wall and E end having suffered some reduction. Tudor-arched arcades, formerly with Tuscan columns on rectangular plinths forming the arcades; of these only the eastern responds survive. In the westernmost bay is a N doorway with depressed arch and keystone, all now much weathered; the masonry has many visible putlog holes.

Reason for designation

Listed Grade I for its importance as the remains of a mid-Elizabethan church founded by Lord Leicester; an almost unparalleled example of grand-scale Protestant church-building in contemporary England and Wales.

Scheduled Ancient Monument (AM 44 RCAM 128).