St Mary

upper stage of tower and transepts late C12.

Chancel nave and aisles C13.

N porch C14.

Nave altered internally C15.

Nave and aisles refenestrated C15.

Clay tile roofs with C19 pierced ridge tiles to the nave and transepts

1850s triple-lancet E window replaced a C14 four-light window but probably set within same opening

INTERIOR: Nave arcades have Transitional circular columns but with C15 bases, moulded octagonal capitals and double-chamfered arches.

Ceiling of crossing tower has large cross beams supporting planks of irregular widths and may be late medieval.

The W arch was reconstructed in the C14 to form a lower, smaller-span pointed arch, thought to be part of strengthening measures when the tower became unstable, but preserving late-Norman rich decoration of zig-zags and tiny beakheads, including carving on the soffit, an unusual feature.

The original round-headed E arch is also soffit-carved and preserves its nook shafts and richly-carved capitals.

Low, stout C15 blind-traceried gates to the chancel appear to have been the lower section of a screen.

Returns on W wall each have three late-medieval stalls with misericords, carved on the underside with roses and faces alternately.

Blind-traceried dado to choir with carved frontals, the ends with poppyhead finials

The bases are part of a late-C12 decorated string course at cill level which extends all round the chancel.

E window set in carved frame

stained glass by E Willement.

The arcading is finely carved with slender shafts and has decorative tiling behind.

Encaustic floor tiles.

OTHER FITTINGS AND MONUMENTS: Simple nave benches with square ends

square Caen stone pulpit with carved sides and canted corners decorated with marble shafts, both from 1860s restoration.

The octagonal late-C15 style stone font is a modern reproduction.

Monuments include brasses, most notably a very fine brass of John Mapilton, Rector of Broadwater in the chancel floor, depicting coped figure standing under canopy, and numerous wall tablets.

On N wall of chancel a richly-carved stone canopied tomb to Thomas, 5th Earl de la Warre : comprising a three-part canopy with crocketed ogee heads and heavy pendants, but with with Renaissance motifs.

E wall of S transept has stone tomb to Thomas, son of the above Substantial monument comprising a slightly projecting table of three panels, each of which originally had a carved figure

a retable of three panels with figures of the Virgin and Child to left and St George to right, the central panel obliterated but may have depicted Christ in Majesty

surmounted by a canopy with a coved frieze carved with shields and coats of arms.

HISTORY: The Domesday Book of 1086 records a church at Broadwater.

A Saxon doorway is reported to have been uncovered at St Mary's Church during 1930s repairs.

The tower was heightened in the late C12, at which time the transepts were probably added.

In the 1850s the galleries were removed and the pews replaced with benches, and the C14 four-light window replaced with triple lancets.

REASON FOR DESIGNATION: The Church of St Mary, Broadwater, is designated at Grade I for the following principal reasons: * Of outstanding interest for the extent, quality and decorative liveliness of the mid-late C12 fabric,

for substantial survival of C13 and later medieval work

* Interior features of interest include the early C19 choir fittings incorporating late-medieval misericords, and several monuments, three of which: the Mapilton brass and the two C16 de la Warre tombs, are outstanding