Virtual Tour of St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray - Pages 17-18

Thus we know of the existence of a previous church in Eaton Bray, which may well have been a simple wattle and daub building, of which no trace survives.

At the beginning of the 13th century the manor of Eitone passed from Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (widow of Henry II) to William de Cantelupe, who began to build an ambitious stone church for his new demesne.

This led to conflict with the Priory, and around 1210 de Cantelupe renounced his claim on the church on condition that he was permitted to erect a chapel in the Castle he was building.

The Priory was thus left with responsibility for a partially-built church, and completed it but in a less ornate and costly manner.