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St Mary

St Mary

Mendlesham

Suffolk

Medieval, restored 1864-6.

Architectural Features

Fine C15 square tower in 4 stages with diagonal buttresses

Moulded west doorway with shield-carved spandrels, above which is a 3-light window.

Both aisles have C13 origins and retain original doorways of this date.

North aisle has mostly original 2 and 3-light C14 windows under pointed segmental arches

C15 3-light east window.

Fine C15 porches with good flushwork.

South porch has moulded entrance arch with shield-carved spandrels and a central canopied image niche.

Original 2-bay roof: angels at the foot of each wallpost, carved spandrels to end braces, wallplates with brattishing.

North porch has moulded entrance enriched with fleurons, and with a much-weathered angel at the apex

Embattled parapet retains original and well-preserved pinnacles at each corner, carved as lions and wild men.

5-bay clerestorey: 2-light shallow- arched windows, probably C15.

A good set of gargoyles below the embattled parapet.

C14 chancel: to south, 2 3-light windows under segmental arches

C14 shafted jambs internally.

At junction of chancel and north aisle, a circular brick rood stair turret of c.1500.

C13 6-bay arcades with circular piers and abaci

C13 chancel arch has similar form.

nave roof has panelled canopy of honour, partly C15.

Restored medieval crown-post roof over south aisle, the moulded tie beams with remains of original painted decoration.

North aisle roof is substantially medieval.

Plain C15 octagonal font.

Fine font cover and pulpit, both of 1630 by John Turner of Mendlesham

font cover restored 1908, pulpit set on stone base 1866.

Good set of C15 poppyhead benches, many with carved ends and backs, some retaining carved figures on arm-rests

At east end of nave, brass of John Knyvet in armour, the inscription and all but one of the shields missing.

Chamber over north porch has been used as the town armoury since 1593