Iron Acton

His descendants remained seated at Iron Acton for many generations and rose to prominence under the Tudor monarchs.

Sir Nicholas Poyntz (1510–1556) was a prominent courtier during the latter part of the reign of King Henry VIII (1509–1547).

His portrait drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger survives in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.

He added the east wing to the moated manor house of Acton Court, which addition was lavishly decorated to impress King Henry VIII, who with his second wife, Anne Boleyn, visited the house in 1535 during a tour of the West Country.

In the 16th century Nicholas Poyntz added the east wing to the existing moated house, which addition was lavishly decorated to impress King Henry VIII, who with his second wife, Anne Boleyn, visited the house in 1535 during a tour of the West Country.

[5] The altar at the east end of the south aisle forms the focal point of the so-called Poyntz Chapel, which is not a separate chamber or structure.

Of the three heraldic escutcheons comprised within the structure two are now blank and one bears the arms of the Acton family, from which the Poyntz's inherited the manor, A fess indented.

Dividing the Poyntz Chapel from the chancel are a pair of stone effigies set on slabs at floor level.

[11][12] Iron Acton hosts events throughout the year, including the annual May Day fair and horticultural show.

The village has its own football club, which played home games on the field behind the Rose and Crown public house on the High Street.

Parish church of St James the Less
19th-century engraving of Parish church of St James the Less . The preaching cross, of which then only the base survived, erected by Sir Robert Poyntz, is shown in the churchyard, centre.
Arms of Poyntz: Quarterly 1st & 4th, barry of eight or and gules (Poyntz); 2nd & 3rd, quarterly per fess indented argent and azure (Acton) . The escutcheon, suspended by the guige strap from an initial letter "T", is shown on a field of oak leaves, a reference to the etymology of the ancient settlement of Acton ("Oak-town").
View eastwards along the south aisle towards the Poyntz Chapel. High on the east wall to the right of the window can be seen hanging the funeral helm with spur and piece of leather surcoat borne on the funeral bier of Sir John Poyntz (d. 1680). [ 6 ]
Iron Acton Primary School (above the orange wires), seen from the tower of the church
Looking east along the High Street, seen from tower of the church