Hollywood

Hollywood Cemetery

Hollywood Cemetery is located on the south side of a third class road to the east of the R106. It is located on a slight rise in a relatively flat field in pasture. While the standing archaeological remains date to the later medieval period documentary evidence points to an early medieval foundation date for the site.

Historical Context

It is thought that the place name Hollywood refers to the forest covered hills which once surrounded the area and were used for worship. There was an earlier church on the site, which probably pre-dated the Anglo-Norman invasion. The ruins of the later medieval parish church can still be seen in the graveyard. Interesting elements include a 15th century holy water stoop to the east of the south doorway. The church at Hollywood Great was appropriated to the canons of Llanthony in Gloucester at an early date. The church was in ruins in 1630 and is described in the Civil Survey as ‘ye walles of ye parish Church’. The church must have been rebuilt at a later date as a silver paten, then used at Naul Church, was inscribed "Holy Wood, 1754". The church is said to have been in use till the early 19th century. The chancel was in complete ruins; the foundations remained and measured 30 feet long by 20 wide. The walls of the nave were still standing and measured 61 feet long by 23 wide and the west gable was surmounted by a triple-arched bell turret.

Archaeological and Architectural Features

The standing remains within the graveyard consists of the remains of a medieval church. The western gable wall of the nave stands to full height and the side walls which survive to c.2m. There is a triple bellcote in the west gable wall. There are grassed-over wall footings to the east of the nave. It is constructed of coursed limestone masonry with dressed limestone quoins. There is a segmental headed opening in the east wall. There are opposing doorways in the west end of the nave. There is a late medieval holy water stoup on the interior of the doorway in the south wall.

General Description

Rectangular graveyard bounded by squared rubble limestone wall with coping. There is a laneway leading to the road in the northwest corner. There are cast-iron gates at either end of the laneway. The gravestones date to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the 19th century headstones have carved Lamb of God motifs. The early 18th century headstones are simple with carved IHS motifs. There is an unfinished memorial in the graveyard inscribed "This stone and burial". The oldest memorial is inscribed "Here lies ye body of Peter Flinn who dyed May 3rd 1716 Aged 96 years. Michael Flinn dyed March 1st 1709 aged 33 years".