Blyth Priory Church Of Saint Mary And Saint Martin

demolished mid C16.

Founded by Roger de Builli in 1088.

The angle buttressed C15 tower of two stages has a chamfered base with two moulded string courses over.

The four large arched bell chamber openings of four arched lights, surmounted by a further four arched lights and tracery have a hood mould with finial and label stops, the latter rise to single gargoyles.

The parapet is embattled and has seven gargoyles under.

To the west, between the fourth and fifth window is the c,1200 buttressed porch, with embattled, gabled parapet with three crocketed pinnacles and single gargoyles to its east and west walls.

The slender columns facing the nave once rose to the roof, they now support the c.1230 quadripartite vaulted ceiling with narrow ribs and 4 remaining bosses.

The northern openings have three C17 style windows.

In the late C13 the south aisle was widened.

The northern, restored, respond has square shafts with a demi-column the south also has a carved head and moulded capital to the inner shaft.

The C15 south aisle screen with tracery and cusping is vaulted either side, this and the C15 nave screen have painted panels.

There is a further C15 traceried screen separating organ and south aisle.

The C17 font is decorated with cherubs' heads and has a Jacobean style cover.

The panelling in the south east end of the aisle is said to be preserved from the old pews and is dated 1656.

The decoration corresponds to that on the C17 pulpit.

In the south aisle is a C17 oak table

in the nave a C15 wooden alms box.

There are scant remnants of a wall painting on the pulpitum.

In the south aisle is a painting attributed to Fra Bartolomeo, c,1490 of St. Mary Magdalene.

On the north wall is a large, fine and elaborate monument to Edward Mellish, 1703, by John Hancock.

Monument in St.Mary & St.martin's church to Edward Mellish who built Blyth Hall, died 1703, moved to this position in 1885

© Richard Croft

This comprises the figure of Mellish, reclining upon a chest tomb with his head resting upon one hand, above is the inscription with elaborate carved drapery over.

Ionic columns support a segmental pediment with centre carved shield.

In the tower is a coffin slab with foliated cross c,1300.

Beside the north wall of the south aisle is a damaged recumbant knight in full armour, with cylindrical helmet and visor, c,1240.

In the nave is a monument, 1772, to Catherine Hornby and Thomas Judson Gent.

This has a decoratively carved cherub's head on the apron with an urn and swag flanked by single torches on the crown, and is by J. Wood.