← Database

The Holy Rood

Sparsholt

Oxfordshire

Late C12 nave, late C13 tower, early C14 chancel and transept, late C18 porch

Architectural Features

Norman, Decorated and Perpendicular styles

Late C19 4-light reticulated-style east window, three 2-light early C14 windows to south wall of chancel

2 identical windows to north wall which has late C15 vestry with 2-light late C15 window with arched heads and one late C19 pointed door.Decorated to parapet

South transept has 4-light reticulated-style early C14 south window

one 2-light early C14 window to each side wall, although west window has two 2-light early C14 windows, and one 3-light late C15 window with arched heads over late C18 porch

late C12 doorway, hood mould over round arch, water- leaf and stiff-leaf capitals to engaged columns

late C12 double doors with original crescent hinges

South wall of nave has two 2-light early C14 windows, and one 3-light late C15 window with arched heads over early C13 blocked door which has round arch and stiff-leaf capitals to engaged columns

adjoins reclining early C14 effigy in ogee headed and cusped tomb recess

several C15 brasses in chancel floor

late C19 benches and desks except two restored with C15 carved bench- ends and one desk-end

original carved corbels to 4-bay C17 collar truss roof

Late C19 chancel screen in C13 chancel arch

C13 arch to south transept

C13 screen has cinquefoiled arches and shaft rings to shafts much restored below

3 C14 oak effigies, removed from original position, 2 being under similar tomb recesses to those in the chancel

chalk aedicule, coloured, to John Pleydell, 1591, and his wife, has oval tablet flanked by Ionic columns and strapwork carving

Nave has late C19 pulpit, lectern and benches

C14 stained glass, including some C13 grisaille glass, in middle windows of south and north walls

5-bay late C15 roof, arch-braced to carved corbels

The carved oak effigies are very rare, and represent Sir Robert Archard (1353) and his wives Joan (13361 and Agnes (1356). It is thought that Sir Robert was responsible for the building of the chancel and transepts in the early C14

Photo coming soon