Hazlewood Castle, Courtyard and Chapel

Slide 7 – Close to the Castle and nestling under its shadow is the ancient chapel of Saint Leonard. The present fabric which has replaced a previous structure, was commenced during the reign of Edward the first. The King granted a charter for the chapel to be built to Sir William Vavasour dated 29th April 1268. Sir William died in 1311 and directed his body to be buried in this chapel. The Vavasours have ever remained a thoroughly loyal family and firm adherents to the Roman Catholic Church, yet the great ecclesiastical changes which took place in the reign of Henry the eighth, never caused them any trouble, and in Queen Elizabeth’s days, Sir Thomas Vavasour proved his patriotism by raising forces and ships to defend England from the Spanish Armada, and he commanded the ‘Foresight’ in that gallant fleet which went out to meet the Armada. And so pleased was Elizabeth with all their services, that she never would allow their little church to be molested. The chapel stands at the west side of the Castle, to which it is attached as is shown on the photograph, which also shows the courtyard of the House facing East.