Charlecote, Warwickshire

Description
Charlecote, a village and a parish in Warwickshire. The village stands on the river Avon, 4 miles W of the Fosse Way, 4 1/4 ENE of Stratford-on-Avon, and 5^ S of Warwick. The parish includes also the hamlets of Thelsford and Hunscote, and its post town is Warwick; money order and telegraph office, Wellesbourne. Acreage, 2130; population, 212. The manor with all the property belongs to the Lucy family, who have been in possession since the time of Richard I. The manor-house was rebuilt in 1558 by Sir Thomas Lucy, said to be the origina of Shakespeare's Justice Shallow. It forms three sides of a quadrangle, sliows all the characteristics of the Tudor architecture; has been altered and renovated in strict keeping with its original character; has a gatehouse with an oriel window, flanked by octagon towers, and stands in an extensive well-wooded park. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Worcester; net value, £164 with residence. The church was rebuilt in 1853 in the Decorated style of the 14th century, and the Lucy chapel, separated from the chancel by a richly carved oaken screen, contains the monument of Sir Thomas Lucy and his wife by Bernini, and two other interesting monuments.