St Mary

The eastern 4 bays of the nave clerestory on each side have early C13 lancets with nook shafts with stiff leaf capitals

the western window on each side is C14, two ogee lights in a square frame.

C14 S door with many tiny mouldings on small shafts.

Polygonal N stair turret for the former rood screen, at the junction of nave and chancel on the N. The chancel chapels have 2-light C14 windows, those on the S with ogees, those to the N without.

S chapel E window very early C14 of 3 lights.

N chapel E window also 3 lights, mid C14.

Low late C15 or early C16 E vestry under the E window, with a 4-light E window with a depressed head and a small E door.

The eastern 4 bays, including the E half of the 4th pier on each side, are c.1200 and have pointed arches on alternating round and octagonal piers with early leaf capitals.

The arcades were extended by 1 bay to the W in the early C14.

The W responds have C14 moulded capitals.

There are small niches on the E responds of both nave arcades, that on the S is smaller and C13, that on the N is larger

has a C14 ogee head.

Low pitched, probably early C16, aisle roofs have foliate bosses at the junction of the principal rafters and the ridge.

Tall C14 tower arch with a continuous chamfered outer order and a chamfered inner order on half-round responds with moulded capitals like those at the W ends of the aisles.

Round, late C12 chancel arch, moulded on both sides.

Late C15 or early C16 ogee-headed door at S end of chancel E wall leading into the E vestry, with a matching 4-centred ogee niche to the N. Additional ogee niche behind the altar,

a matching set of fittings including 3 seat sedilia and integrated piscina on the S and an Easter Sepulchre on the N. The 3-bay chancel arcades are also late C12 and have round arches with hyphenated chevron and small rolls on alternating round and polygonal piers with a variety of leaf and crocket capitals.

The E ends of both chapels are enclosed with C14 parclose screens.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES Very fine C14 parclose screens to the N and S chancel chapels.

Both screens retain their original doors, and the E part of the N screen is said to incorporate part of the old rood screen, but they have been moved eastwards as the S screen cuts a C14 tomb niche.

C14 square font on a square panelled base with shafts at the corners.

Early to mid C13 piscina in S chapel, with a trefoiled opening.

Mid C14 piscina for former rood loft in SE corner of the nave above the S arcade E respond has a trefoiled ogee head.

A suite of late C15 or early C16 chancel fittings, heavily restored.

C19 polygonal stone pulpit on marble shafts.

Brass eagle lectern, a copy of that in Holy Trinity Coventry, given in 1878.

Some good C19 and C20 glass, including S chapel E window by Douglas Strachen of the mid C20 and N chapel E window also mid C20 by Hugh Easton.

Many interesting monuments, including a C14 tomb recess in the S chancel chapel, possibly associated with the C14 rebuilding.

Brass of 1455 to John King, an inscription without figures reset in a marble slab of 1826.

In the N chapel, a large C17 wall tablet to Katherine Gildredge and her two infants, Corinthian columns supporting a complex pediment with reclining angels.

Many C18 and C19 other wall tablets and ledger slabs of the C17 and C18.

Royal arms of George III.

Several hatchments of the Cavendish family in the chancel, including the 1st Earl of Burlington of the 2nd creation.

HISTORY The church is in Domesday Book, and while the earliest visible fabric dates to the late C12, irregularities in the setting out of the chancel suggest that the present building was rebuilt around an earlier core.

The chancel, including both chancel chapels, was built in the late C12.

The nave, aisles and nave clerestory were built c.1200, presumably replacing an earlier, unaisled nave.

Some further work on the chancel was carried out in the mid C13, when the E window was installed.

The nave and both aisles were extended by an additional bay to the W in the early C14, when the tower was also added.

The S porch is also early C14.

There was further work in the late C15 or early C16 when the E vestry was added.

Evidence for C17 and C18 work has been lost.

No visible trace of the Anglo-Saxon church remains, but its presence probably explains the irregular setting out of the chancel.

The whole church was rebuilt on a grand scale in the late C12

early C13, indicating the importance of the place, and perhaps suggesting that it was intended to be a collegiate church of some form.

The S chancel chapel is dedicated to St Margaret and St Bartholomew, and is said to be associated with Batholomew Badlesmere, 1st Baron Badlesmere and his wife Margaret, who held the manor of Bourne in the early C14.

The construction of the vestry in the early C16 may be connected with the contemporary rebuilding of the vicarage, now know as the Old Parsonage.

SOURCES Buildings of England: Sussex , 483-84 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The church of St Mary, Eastbourne, Sussex is designated at Grade I for the following principal reasons: * Outstanding, and very large, late C12

early C13 parish church with fully aisled nave

chancel, remodelled and extended in the C14, and restored in the C19. * Excellent fittings including superb C14 parclose screens. * Very good C20 glass at the E end.