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St John the Baptist

St John The Baptist

Mersham

Kent

C12 origin, expanded C13 with C14-C15 fenestration.

Architectural Features

South aisle with lancet, restored C14.

Decorated 2 light and C15 Perpendicular 2 light window.

Reset C12 south doorway with nook shafts, filleted abaci

roll mould, with C15 water stoup.

C14-C15 windows on north side.

Simple cusped 2 light C13 window and 3 identical 2 light and 4 over Perpendicular windows to nave.

West window c.1396, with 12 lights at base, with upper tracery with central quatrefoil and downward swept cusped lights (to incorporate the Trinity and downward-flying seraphim).

Interior: 5 bay arcade, C13 of slightly different dates to western 3 bays.

King post and trussed rafter roof, the easternmost tie beam with carved head.

Fittings: C17 altar rail, with strapwork enriched rails and ball finials and foliage.

Dado panelling to sanctuary with strapwork, dated 1611, with reeded panels and fretwork top piece.

C15 cusped piscina.

Font with square bowl, with quatrefoils on roundels and ogee arcading.

Stained glass: fragments of the originally complex iconography of the west windows, and St. Michael and the Dragon in a north window.

Monuments: an important series.

Brass of priest c.1420, 14 ½ inches.

Knight and Lady, c.1520, set on south wall, c.17 inches.

In the chancel: Richard Knatchbull 1590, wall monument of knight kneeling at prayer desk with strapwork pilasters and coved enriched frieze with urns and achievement over.

Bridget Knatchbull, 1625, by Nicholas Stone Wall monument with kneeling lady in draped baldacchino, with draped angels pulling back curtains. with fluted frieze and cornice to open segmental pediment with achievement cherubs heads and obelisk.

Sir Norton Knatchbull d.1636.

Standing monument, with stiffly moulded knight propped on one elbow on scroll-ended tomb chest, with double Ionic colonettes to segmental head with original spear headed rails with twisted and strapwork finialled principals.

In the south chapel: Margaret Collyns, d.1595 by Epiphanius Evesham.

Very small white alabaster tablet, with simple inscription and shaped head with Arms and laurel wreath winged apron signed "Evesham fecit Sir Norton Knatchbull, d.1684.

Sir John Knatchbull, d.1676.

Simple plaque, designed by Robert Adam (who also designed Mersham-le-Hatch for Sir Wyndham), carved by William Tyler.

Knatchbull hatchments, Royal Arms on nave north wall dated 1751, and lugged charity board dated 1777 in south aisle. .