Birstall dam with the Parish Church beyond


Birstall Parish Church was attended by Charlotte Bronte when she visited her lifelong friend Ellen Nussey In the novel Shirley Briarfield Church was based on this church which was however rebuilt between 1865 and 1871 apart from the old tower which remains In the same book the character of Mr Hall was based on Reverend W. M. Heald, vicar of Birstall in 1849. The church may also well be the Church referred to by Charlotte Bronte as visible from Thornfield the home of Mr Rochester in Jayne Eyre. Mr Rochester's home is presumed to be partly based on a house called Rydings which was the home of Charlotte's lifelong friend Ellen Nussey


Size: 5150px × 3390px
Location: Kirkgate Birstal, Batley West Yorkshire, UK
Photo credit: © Leo Rosser / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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