Grafton nr. Beckford

The entry for the parish of Beckford in the Victoria County History (Gloucester, vol. 8, 1968) notes: "Beckford church, like other Saxon minster churches, had a number of dependent chapels from an early date. Of the chapels, Ashton under Hill [...] was still annexed to it in 1965. In 1177 the Rector of Beckford granted Great Washbourne chapel to Tewkesbury Abbey in return for tithes at Didcot; [...] from 1656 to 1660 Great Washbourne was reunited with Beckford. [...] Grafton also had a chapel in the 12th century which survived until c. 1543. [...] The chapel at Grafton stood on the west side of the main street, where the remains of a chancel arch, with mouldings, are incorporated in situ in Norman Cottage; excavation revealed the foundations of a small rectangular nave and chancel. Comparison with Great Washbourne chapel suggests that Grafton chapel was built in the mid-12th century. [...] About 1543 the chapel was broken into by local men, robbed, and apparently damaged beyond repair. [...] A cottage was built in the ruins in the 17th century."