Chagford Devon
Church of St Michael, Chagford Devon 
The area has been inhabited since at least 2000 BC, but the town really grew in size and importance during medieval times, at first due to the wool trade and later as a centre of tin mining which was recognised in 1305 when it became one of 4 stannary towns where the metal was brought to be weighed, graded, and traded.
The church roof has carved wooden bosses, including one showing the Tinners' three rabbits symbol with 2 ears each yet only 3 ears between them.   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/AZ892v44L4">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/AZ892v44L4</a>
The manor of Chagford belonged, in the 13c reign of Henry III., to Sir Hugh de Chagford.   Simon de Wibbery succeeded the grandson of Sir Hugh and the Wibberys were here for seven generations after which it passed, by successive female heirs, to Gorges, Bonville, and Coplestones.   Sir John Whyddon, one of the justices of the King's Bench, purchased it of the latter in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, his family holding it for several generations and many are buried in the church. Their family home was 16c Whiddon House, now the Three Crowns Hotel. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/22Wf80Ma7x">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/22Wf80Ma7x</a>   In 1641 Mary Whiddon ,https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/8393JtkMBd  was shot dead by a jealous former suiter while leaving the church on her wedding day.  Modern brides still lay a flower on her tomb after signing the church register   Mary's tragic death is said to have inspired RD Blackmore's fictional account of Lorna Doone, shot - but not killed - by Carver Doone through the church window on her wedding day. 
On the north wall of the chancel is an elaborate tomb of Mary's great grandfather Sir John Whiddon 1575 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/p0HDGxw230">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/p0HDGxw230</a> a judge of the King's Bench who broke with the tradition kept by the likes of Cardinal Wolsey and was the first judge to ride to Westminster Hall on a horse rather than the traditional donkey 

The present church is a 15c rebuilding of one dedicated by Bishop Branscombe of Exeter in 1261.
It consists of a chancel,  nave with three aisles and a crossing.   The tower is 15c and has a surviving 13c window from the earlier church. 
Above the south door is a painted royal coat of arms to &quot;George llll&quot; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9w8Wu45Dva">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9w8Wu45Dva</a> with nearby a benefaction board of &quot;Bonamus bread&quot; to the poor every Good Friday  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/yDu948xNx8">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/yDu948xNx8</a>

Major renovation took place c 1888 by architect R Pearson,  Later in the 20c Herbert Read of Exeter designed much of the handsome woodcarving in the nave, the oak pews, the pulpit and the great chancel screen that divides the nave from the chancel and sanctuary which was built  in 1925-27 in memory of Noel Hayter-Hames 

The Prince's manor is In this parish, which belongs to the duchy of Cornwall;

Picture with thanks - copyright  Rob Purvis CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1473507" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1473507</a>
chagford church devon