Church of St. Mary, Easton Royal

It is likely that there was a church at Easton by 1086, possibly Saxon or maybe Norman. A north chapel was added c. 1322 and a chantry foundation confirmed in 1326 for Robert Druce, lord of Easton Druce manor. To maintain the chapel and provide lights [candles] in it Robert gave 12 shillings a year and a flock of 200 sheep to the church. The church was demolished in 1369 and the materials used to enlarge the priory church, which then used by the Easton parishioners. After the dissolution of the priory the priory church became soley the parish church, possibly with the dedication to St. Mary. The church was said to be in poor condition in 1536, 1553, and 1556 and in 1590 a statue of Sir John Seymour was removed from the church and taken to Great Bedwyn church. A new church was built at Easton in 1591 and the old church demolished then, or a little later. A project involving archaeological surveys has recently found extensive evidence of the priory and the church.