Torbryan
| Torbryan | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 Torbryan High Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SX821668 |
| Location: | 50°29’20"N, 3°39’47"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Newton Abbot |
| Postcode: | TQ12 |
| Dialling code: | 01803 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Teignbridge |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Newton Abbot |
Torbryan is a village near Ipplepen in Devon.
The manor is listed as 'Torre Braine' in 1238. The de Brian family were Lords of the manor for 250 years.[1]
Church
The parish church is situated at the head of the village. It is thought that the original church of Sir Guy de Brian burnt down in about 1360. The present church was constructed in 1400. The church currently houses a colony of lesser horseshoe bats.[1]
The church houses a mediæval rood screen constructed in about 1430, the lower panels having a unique series of coloured paintings depicting 36 saints. The screen is a rare survivor of the reformation and survived because the panels were whitewashed. These screens made national headlines when they were stolen in 2013[2] but later recovered by the police, restored and reinstalled.[3][4]
The church contains a monument to Sir William Petre, born at Tor Newton, a Tudor Secretary of State and agent of Thomas Cromwell. He served from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I.
Caves
The Torbryan caves located in the valley are world-famous and were largely excavated by Edward Widger who lived in the village. The bones of many extinct animals were found in the excavations including those of the mammoth, cave hyena and cave bear. These remains are displayed at the Natural History Museum, London.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Parish History: Denbury & Torbryan Parish
- ↑ 'Mediæval panels 'hacked' from church': BBC News
- ↑ 'Torbryan rood screen will rise again': VisitChurches.org.uk
- ↑ 'Stolen mediæval panels restored and reinstalled in Devon church': Steven Morris in The Guardian 24 June 2016 ISSN 0261-3077
