Church of St Mary Magdalene

The Church of St Mary Magdalene stands in the village of Mortehoe on the north coast of Devon. It is an Anglican church with Grade I listed status, its roots reaching back to the Norman Conquest. The building still shows many medieval features, including a carved pew and a wagon roof from the 15th century. The bell tower and the tomb of Sir William de Tracy also date from the Middle Ages. Later additions include a mosaic in the chancel arch and an ‘archangel’ window, both designed by Selwyn Image in the 19th century. The church is worth visiting for its well-preserved medieval details and the tomb of Sir William de Tracy. The tomb’s black slab bears a life-size effigy of a priest in full vestments holding a chalice. Tristram Risdon recorded part of the original French inscription in the 17th century. Three heraldic shields on the tomb’s base represent the families of Camville, FitzMartin and Tracy. Beneath plain canopies are effigies that may depict Saint Catherine and Saint Mary Magdalene. Inside, visitors find the nave’s 15th-century wagon roof and the 13th-century carved bench-ends. The south transept holds the de Tracy tomb and Victorian stained glass shields showing the same arms. The Crucifixion is carved in relief on the west side of the tomb base, with two standing figures beside the cross. The church’s chancel arch mosaic and the archangel window add colour and light to the interior.