Abbey Dore
Herefordshire
Late C12 to early C13, restored 1633 for John, Viscount Scudamore with woodwork by John Abel
Transept with eastern chapels, three by three bay chancel, north and south chancel aisles of three bays and two by five bay ambulatory and former eastern chapels in Romanesque style, C17 south-east tower, transeptal south porch, upstanding roofless remains include eastern bay of nave, part of north wall of nave aisle, sacristry and adjacent fragment of a western corner of duodecagonal chapter house
Transept has west elevation with blocked 2-centred arch to crossing and single aisle arches, the former containing a central 2-centred single-light C17 window, a small lancet above scar of each nave aisle roof, outside each of which is a tall lancet, C17 corbel table
south elevation has a pair of very tall shafted lancets with waterleaf capitals surmounted by a vesica window, all surrounded by deep roll mouldings and flanked by large buttresses with off-sets, the right-hand one containing a newel with loop lights, two lancets, probably C17 in gable-top
north elevation has high blocked doorway of former night stair and C17 doorway at ground level in front of which are remains of barrel vaulted sacristry and bases of shafts to corner of chapter house.
North and south aisles have 2:2 bays of chamfered lancets divided by weathered buttresses with deeply moulded plinths and linked by billet-moulded string which rises to gables truncated by C17 roof alterations.
North doorway set beneath diminished lancet in the third bay from the east has C13 plank door with ornate strap hinges
Chancel has single-light lancets to north and south, east wall has three stepped chamfered lancets and two more lancets, probably C17, above lighting the roof space, C17 corbel table.
South porch to left side of south transept has quadrant braces to front tie-beam above which are V-struts, suggesting a C17 date
rear tie has its underside carved away to clear door- way and quadrant braces missing
consoles on oak wall shafts rising from C12 wall shafts which formerly supported vaulting to cross wing and transepts, carry angle struts to moulded and chamfered ceiling beams
chancel roof, restored in 1902, is similar but more elaborate with grotesque female consoles, carved angle struts and acorn pendants
screen separating chancel from transept is from C17 campaign and has four bays divided by Ionic columns, central entry, deep cornice, strapwork decoration, and the Royal Arms of Charles I between those of Scudamore and Archbishop Laud, dado has posts-with curved run-out chamfer stops
stall and benches have early C17 panelling with arabesque designs
contemporary hexagonal pulpit has two arcade devices to each face, strapwork decoration and a tester
east windows have stained glass for Lord Scudamore, dated 1634, the large central one depicting the Ascension
early C17 communion rails with matching balustered rails dividing chancel from north and south aisles and another rail of similar design in front of C17 communion table
fragments of late medieval stained glass in south-east chapel of ambulatory which contains a large trefoiled aumbry in the north wall and numerous fragments from the nave including several C14 roof bosses, one depicting the Coronation of the Virgin.
North and south aisles each have a C13 recumbent effigy of a knight
the south aisle has a large dug- out sarcophagus, two hatchments and two aumbries in the south wall each with a 2-centred head.
between the two is a small niche with a 2-centred head and fragments of medieval glass.
Transept has C17. doorway with 2-centred head and C17 door to newel of tower, dog-tooth surround to rectangular cupboard with C17 panelled doors in south wall, C17 poor-box and C17 chest, against the west wall is gallery, supported on four columns, similar to those of the screen with panelled superstructure and balustered stairs at south end, Royal Arms of Queen Anne painted on north wall to right of doorway to former night stairs, several other wall paintings and wall and floor monuments mainly C18
Scheduled Ancient Monument County number 185.