Description:This postcard scene shows The Church of St Mary, also known as Castle Church, with Stafford Castle in the background, while sheep graze in the foreground.
The church is Grade II* listed. Only the 15th century tower survives from an earlier building. It was rebuilt in 1844-5 to the designs of George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffatt by William Evans of Ellastone. It was further enlarged in 1898 by Scott's son John Oldrid Scott.
This 'Oilette' postcard was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, postcard series 1787 'Picturesque Stafford' - Art Publishers to their Majesties the King & Queen for postage in the United Kingdom only. Oilette’s were marketed as 'veritable miniature oil paintings'. This was one of many pictures painted by Henry Hadfield Cubley for Tuck’s. Cubley, a nationally famous painter, was born in Newark and lived in Staffordshire for a period. He died 1934 in Congleton District.