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St Marwenne

Marhamchurch

Cornwall

Lower stage of tower C14, chancel and transept C14, upper stages of tower C15, north aisle and porch C15, late C19 vestry, early C20 restoration.

Architectural Features

Possible that the C14 cruciform plan had transeptal arches set back from crossing, the addition of the north aisle with 1 bay to the chancel may have involved widening the chancel to the north, hence non-alignment with west tower.

South wall of nave has probably C14 masonry

inserted square- headed C16 3-light granite mullioned window, south transept has renewed Perpendicular 3-light window with hoodmould and label stops.

2-light timber mullioned window in east wall of transept lights pulpit.

Belfry opening, west side, two C15 trefoil headed lights with slate louvres below pierced quatrefoil under hoodmould.

Blocked C13 lancet window in west wall of north aisle.

Porch roof has moulded arched brace and collar roof, foliage carved on wall plates.

Shallow moulded granite inner door, and important C16 studded door of overlapping vertical moulded planks, with heavy strap hinges terminating in elaborate finials.

Loop drop latch preserved behind glass panel, massive wooden lock case.

Interior: Shallow moulded C15 granite north arcade with monolith piers carved with 4 hollows and 4-shafts, hollows projecting above the collars on the shafts.

North aisle roof C15 unceiled waggon with ribs and bosses, vine-carved wall plate and angels carved at wall plate level.

Trefoil- headed C14 piscina in south wall of chancel.

C17 pulpit is a 5-sided drum: upper carving of strapwork and cartouches, then below a cornice, demi-figures of saints under round-headed arches, symbols or the evangelists below.

The pulpit has a contemporary tester.

One C17 bench with carved ends in chancel.

C19 brass fittings include full size candleholders.

Late C19/early C20 font, probably recutting of Perpendicular font.

Large plaster royal arms of Charles II carved in situ, (q.v. Kilkhampton, Launcells and Boconnoc churches) on south wall retains early colouring.

Good slate memorial to George Rolle, buried 1645, fixed to north wall of north aisle chapel with coat of arms carved in relief and scroll border.

Slate memorial on south wall of north aisle chapel has carved border and retains some ancient colour.

Several good C17 slate memorials used as paving in nave.

Brass to Maria Maskell, d. 1845, set in north aisle chapel floor: ornamental cross and text possibly in medieval matrix.

Charles Henderson states that this was found in the rectory garden and thought that the window originated from the cell of Cecilia Moyes, who was granted a licence to be an anchorite in 1403.

Rosemary Pardoe, Royal Arms in the Churches of Cornwall,