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St Swithin

Launcells

Cornwall

South doorway C14, aisles late C15, porch late C15/C16, tower C16, parts of the east end C17 (date stone), some C20 tracery.

Architectural Features

South aisle has three 4-light windows with C20 tracery probably on the pattern of C16 tracery, no cusping in the heads, fourth window to west of porch similar 3-light, not renewed.

East window of chancel has 3 wide lights with thin tracery: cut back jamb, repaired cusping and brick gable suggest C17 restoration of C15 window.

Porch has oak-topped benches, C15 arched brace and collar roof with ribs and bosses and holy water stoup.

C16/C17 door has outer vertical boarding with studs, horizontal inner boarding.

South aisle arcade polyphant piers of 4 shafts and 4 hollows, fleurons carved on crested capitals, piers carry deeply moulded arches.

North aisle ribs richly carved, deeply-cut bosses include foliage designs and 3 examples of the Granville arms, wall plate has fine vine carving.

South aisle roof less elaborate, fleurons carved on ribs.

C12 font with 2 orders of cable moulding on bowl.

Chancel step made up of important and large collection of C16 Barnstaple glazed tiles, conventional Barnstaple designs including pelican, lion and profile head with foliage.

Set of C16 benches, mostly complete, with moulded rails and carved rectangular ends (q.v. Kilkhampton): 6 in south aisle

Those at the east end of the south nave have frontal with continuous carving of blind tracery above quatrefoils filled with various symbols.

The east wall of the south aisle and part of the south return has fine C17 panelling of friezes of round-headed arches with vine decoration and an armorial bearing.

Late C18/early C19 pulpit has Gothick tracery applied to drum of C17 style, contemporary tester.

Large Royal Arms of Charles II with traces of colour on north wall attributed to Michael Chuke. (q.v. Kilkhampton).

Freestone monument to Sir John Chamond (q.v. Launcells Barton), died 1624 in east end of south aisle.

Figure leaning on elbow in architectural surround, kneeling figures at head and foot.

Part of inscription on slate panel above figure reads "A memorial for the erecters of the monumente.

Below the figure slate inscription with the anagram "Edwarde Arundell,/read and ruled wel".

Early plaster on all walls possibly concealing wall paintings.

West wall of south aisle shows remains of probably 2 wall paintings on different levels of plater, plaster recently patched with cement.

1 very large wall painting of the Sacrifice of Isaac : 2 angels above Abraham holding Isaac on an altar.

Smaller figures to the left, including one holding an ass or horse, look C17.

Painted text on north wall of north aisle is said to be the text of a letter from Charles I, dated 1643, thanking his Cornish subjects.

Datestone with "R.C.1689" built into exterior east wall of chancel.

Floor of nave and north aisle made up of slate memorials.

Well-lit interior with old clear glass throughout, much of which has been carefully repaired.