is its 15th-century tower. There was a priest at Cranford in 1086, when he held 1 virgate of land, so the Victoria County History states there was presumably a church. The benefice is a rectory – no secular church tithe appropriation ever took place in return for chancel upkeep, by an improprietor, which gives rise to the need to have a vicar. The advowson (right to appoint the priest) was medievally for over a century held by two religious orders, the Knights Templars and the Hospitallers. The tower and the nave survived a fire in 1710, and the repairs were paid for by Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Berkeley in 1716. Notable monuments in the church include a large wall monument to Sir Roger Aston (d. 1612) and his wife Mary (d. 1606), sculpted by William Cure I; another to Elizabeth, Lady Berkeley (d. 1635), with a marble effigy by Nicholas Stone (both these monuments are listed by Historic England); and a mural tablet to Thomas Fuller (d. 1661), author of the Worthies of England, who was rector of Cranford. The oldest bell in the church was cast in 1338 and is said to have chimed on every occasion of national importance since. One of Cranford's residents was the MP and writer (George Charles) Grantley (Fitzhardinge) Berkeley (d.1881), known for his violent behaviour. His brother, Earl Fitzhardinge, was the patron of the church, although convicted for criminal conversation (adultery): he died unmarried and without legitimate children. Transport Nearby stations include: Hatton Cross Hounslow West Hayes and Harlington The A312 road ('The Parkway') runs through Cranford. Notable people Elizabeth Carey, Lady Berkeley, patron of the arts, bought the estate of Cranford in 1618, and died there in 1635. Ian Gillan, musician, grew up in Cranford. Tony Hancock, comedian, ashes are scattered at St Dunstan's Church, a memorial plaque marks the location. Charles Scarborough (1615–1694), royal physician and mathematician, is buried at Cranford; there is a monument to him in the parish church erected by his widow. Big Jim Sullivan, musician, attended Woodfield Secondary School in Cranford. Anthony Gueterbock, 18th Baron Berkeley (Lab), civil engineer and parliamentarian, sold the last family land in the ward and nominated "of Cranford, London" to be his territorial designation of his life peerage. Demography and housing Nearby places See also References Areas of London Districts of the London Borough of Hounslow Wards of the London Borough of