St Sampson

C16 and C19 by Ewan Christian

Entrance through C15 gabled north porch with angle buttresses

Mid C13 moulded door with 2 Anglo Saxon stones (1 tomb, 1 part cross shaft) over

North aisle with 3-light C14 windows but 2 lancets to west

Chancel has C15 windows being a remodelling of an earlier structure

Central tower heavy and impressive, mid C16 built at the expense of the Duke of Northumberland and the Hungerfords of Down Ampney, for which money was collected from 1512 on

Some C10-C11 work seems incorporated, see lesenes on wall above south aisle

North arcade of late C12

piers with carved capitals and arches of 2 orders of C13-C14 date

South arcade similar but C13 with round capitals and lobed bases, but probably a remodelling as imposts are similar to those on north side

Chancel C13

remodelled in C14 with C19 improvements

Piers panelled and have bold heraldic decoration and carved corbels for statuary, all in Reyes Catolicos style

Fittings: Font C15, panelled, on C19 base with suspended cover

Pulpit, C19 limestone with stone steps

Monuments: North aisle: C14 wall tomb with crocketed ogee canopy and quatrefoiled base

now containing a probably C15 monolithic and worn effigy

North transept: Wall monument, C17, limestone with slate back

Glass: C19 glass, including west window by Kempe, 1888

There are good C17 grave slabs laid in paving under the tower

Miscellaneous: In south aisle at high level are built in two carved stones

two deeply carved affronted beasts

probably C12

supported by two figures

said to be Roman

In porch, a clunch niche. (Taylor & Taylor, Anglo-Saxon Architecture I, 1965, 182-4, Pevsner, Buildings of England: Wiltshire, 1975. Church Guide).