St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Battlefield

On 21st July 1403, the Battle of Shrewsbury took place in this quiet countryside setting, between the forces of Henry IV and an army led by the powerful Percy family, Earls of Northumberland, including supporters of the recently ousted King Richard II, who was the cousin of Henry IV.

Over 1,600 soldiers died on the battlefield, which has been called the bloodiest battle in English history. Shortly after the conflict, this small church was erected on the battlefield on the orders of Henry IV as a lasting memorial to those who died here.

It was originally intended to be built as a chapel in 1406, a place of intercession and commemoration for those killed in the fighting, and probably built over a mass burial pit. The chapel was finished in 1409, and by 1410 it became a church.

A statue of Henry IV, who defeated Henry “Hotspur” Percy in the battle, stands on the outside east wall. On the roof beams inside are representations of the shields of the knights who fought with Henry IV.

Though the church is early-15th century, much of the church that we see today is the result of an extensive restoration in the 1860s, although many original features do still survive. The original layout was saved, as well as the tower and exterior walls, but the remainder, including the fittings, are largely Victorian.