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St Michael

St Michael

Ramsey

Essex

Mainly C12-16, restored in C19.

Architectural Features

dressings mainly of limestone, roofs of handmade red clay tiles.

Nave early C12, Chancel C13, the upper part C15, W tower early C15, repaired in late C16, C17 and C18, S porch 1816.

The Chancel has a late C16 E window of 3 square-headed

double-transomed lights, plastered with a timber lintel and C13 splays.

In the N wall is a late C16 window of 2 square-headed

transomed lights with a timber lintel and C13 splays, plastered

further W is a smaller C16 square-headed window, blocked.

E of the windows is a recess with moulded cinquefoiled head, shafted jambs with moulded capitals and bases, C14, possibly an Easter sepulchre.

In the S wall is a late C16 window similar to that opposite, but with the sill carried down to form a seat.

W of it is a C15 doorway, partly restored, with double-ogee moulded jambs, 5-centred arch and timber lintel.

Immediately W of it is part of the 2-centred head of a blocked archway, probably C13.

W of it is a blocked C16 window similar to that opposite.

The late C14 chancel-arch, partly restored, is 2-centred, of 2 moulded orders, the outer continuous, the inner resting on attached semi-octagonal shafts

the moulded capitals are carved with half-angels, the bases are moulded, and below the N base is a mutilated plinth.

the collars are moulded and carved with egg-and-dart ornament and running foliage, and in addition the middle collar is carved with the date 1597 and the name Goldingham

at the junction of the principals and collars are double consoles with carved spandrels.

The wallplates are carved with running ornament.

the easternmost is early C14, of 2 lights with Y-tracery in a 2-centred head, with chamfered rear-arch.

The second window is late C14, of 2 trefoiled lights with tracery in a square head, with moulded label and chamfered segmental rear-arch

the westernmost window is a C13 lancet with chamfered 2-centred rear- arch.

Between the second and third windows is the early C12 N doorway, partly restored, with semi-circular arch of one plain order

the imposts have diaper ornament and a chamfered under-edge with zigazg carving.

At the E end of this wall is a late C15 rood-loft stair

the easternmost is late C16, partly restored, of 2 square-headed lights with timber lintel

the second is mid-C14, partly restored, of two 2-centred lights with uncusped saltire tracery in a segmental head, with a moulded label and grotesque headstops (one decayed)

the third window is early C14, partly restored, of 2 lights with Y-tracery in a 2-centred head, with moulded label and chamfered rear-arch

E of it is the early C15 S doorway, with jambs and 2-centred arch of 2 moulded orders, with a moulded label and grotesque headstops

the inner order is carved with moons, stars, crowned initials I and M, heads, leopards' heads and foliage

the outer order is carved with a Coronation of the Virgin, crowns, and foliage with hanging shields

the label is carved with shields, winged hearts and foliage.

The door is original, with a moulded surround and 3 moulded fillets, and 4 attached shafts cut in the solid, with moulded bases and capitals formerly supporting detached figures, only the fixing holes remaining

The C15 tower-arch is 2-centred, of 2 orders, the outer double-ogee moulded and continuous, the inner chamfered and resting on attached round shafts with moulded capitals and bases.

The early C16 W window, much restored, is of 3 ogee lights with plain vertical tracery in a 4-centred head with moulded label and chamfered rear-arch, the supporting arch of alternate limestone and flint voussoirs.

The early C16 W doorway of clunch, partly restored, has moulded jambs, decayed 2-centred arch in a square head with traceried spandrels, a moulded label and chamfered segmental-pointed rear-arch

The bell-chamber has in the E, N and W walls a C15 window of 2 cinquefoiled lights with cusped tracery in a 4-centred head, with a moulded label

There are 2 piscinae (1) in the Chancel, with triangular head and round drain, of uncertain date, (2) in the S wall of the Nave, with chamfered jambs, mutilated cinquefoiled head and repaired drain, C14.

In the S porch is a stoup with chamfered 2-centred head and jambs with broach stops, probably C15.

The font is partly C15, partly restored, with a recut octagonal bowl with a shield in each face and a moulded soffit, a panelled octagonal stem, and a moulded base with carved flowers.

The pulpit, c.1600, is octagonal, the panels divided into 3 ranges with bolection moulding, enriched arcading and carved foliage respectively, the stem, base and stair restored.

On the S wall of the Chancel is a memorial to Daniel Burr, 1782, and his widow Elizabeth, 1785, in white marble inlaid with grey marble, with an urn with guilloche border in full relief, moulded head with paterae and inlaid arcading, inlaid strips at the sides, painted shield of arms and foliate brackets

the inscription describes it as 'This unadorned Memorial'.

On the S wall of the Nave is a royal arms of 1727, and a Commonwealth arms of 1651, painted on boards with a simple wooden frame

this was found with traces of canvas behind the royal arms, a rare or possibly unique survival.

On the N wall of the Nave is the hatchment of Lieutenant-General Daniel Burr, 1828, with legend "Virtus Verus Honos'.

the bells by Miles Graye, 1638, and John Darbie, 1676, reported by the RCHM, were recast in 1967.