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The current St Michael’s Church was originally built in the early part of the 15th century and is believed to be the third Christian church on this magnificent site overlooking the town.

The church is unusually large being 52 metres long and the original medieval building was altered and restored in both the 17th and 19th centuries. The belfry and spire which is 56 metres (185 ft) high were added in 1812 and provide a prominent landmark for the town.

Inside this impressive building are remarkable misericords in the choir stalls representing heads of human figures, an angel and animals including an owl, a swan, a dragon and a swordfish. Corbels supporting the roof timbers have wonderful carvings including a monk with a sheaf of corn, a forester with his axe and a cook with a ladle.

Within the south porch of the Church is a crude carving which may hark back to the earliest Saxon Church or to an even earlier pre-Christian use of the site for pagan fertility worship.

The parish of St Michael’s has been associated with the Bishops of London since before the Norman conquest and, until the l9th century Church reorganisation, the living belonged to the Preceptor of St Paul’s Cathedral.

There is a tradition, which has never been substantiated, that the body of King Harold was brought to Bishop’s Stortford by his wife, Eddeva, after he was killed at the Battle of Hastings and that both of them were buried in the original Church building that occupied the site of St Michael’s.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Credit for photographs: Les Pinnell, Jan Richardson, Alex Andrijevic, Jill Daniels, Paul Ailey.