Castle Frome - St Michael & All Angels

Listed in the Domesday Book as "Frume", at the time of the Norman Conquest Castle was under the overlordship of the earl Harold Godwinson (aka King Harold), which passed in 1086 to Roger de Lacy who was also the manor's tenant-in-chief to William the Conquerer.


The church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey family. To the north of the church runs a sunken roadway which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel.

The main sculptural interest is the font and dated around 1170.

It is the work of the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one figure remains in a good state.

A detail