"Bovey Tracey was, says Risdon, the "ancient inheritance of the Traceys, Barons of Barnstaple". They have also historical notoriety for the murder of St. Thomas a Becket ; And the ill-luck of the family has ever since been proverbial :-
All the Traceys
Have the wind in their faces.
The fine old church which stands at the top of the town is dedicated to the saint, and is said to have been founded by William de Tracey in expiation of the murder.
Like most Devon churches the present building belongs to the fifteenth century. The richly carved and painted screen should be noticed, Devonshire churches being as famous for their screens, as those of Somerset are for towers. The figures on the panels are probably intended to represent, alternatively, and apostle and a prophet, as are those on the neighboring parish of Chudliegh ; but they appear unfinished.
However, Bovey folk will tell you that they represent St. Thomas and his murderers! as the panels have upon them a bishop, a king, and two other people, whom we may suppose are William de Tracey and Reginald Fitzurse."
Creswell, 1921
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