Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

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Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, has achieved fame as the place of baptism and burial of William Shakespeare. More than 200,000 tourists visit the church each year.^[1]

Holy Trinity contains many interesting features, including:

• A 14th century sanctuary knocker in the church's porch (built c.1500)
• Twenty-six misericord seats in the chancel, with religious, secular and mythical carvings
• Several large stained glass windows featuring major English and Biblical saints at the church's east and west ends

It is said that Shakespeare's body is buried 20 feet (approx. 7 metres) deep to prevent its theft.^{[citation needed]} Above the grave, a badly eroded stone slab displays his epitaph:

Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear,

To dig the dust enclosed here.

Blest be the man that spares these stones,

But cursed be he that moves my bones.

The church is open to visitors for much of the year. A small contribution is requested to access the chancel and sanctuary in which Shakespeare is buried.

Holy Trinity is a member of the Greater Churches Group.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020501307.html

[edit] External links

• Holy Trinity's Website - information on opening times, history of the church and several interior photographs.

• The Stratford Guide - A Guide run by locals to provide a visitors guide to Stratford-upon-Avon. A growing guide to all things Stratford