Architectural Features
EXTERIOR & INTERIOR: Norman remains include the centre of the west front and the door surround which has chevrons both to the outer face and intrados of the relieving arch which meet at right angles.
There are three shafts to each side with carved capitals including masks which bite the shafts.
At the west end of the north arcade, the nave includes the bases of four large round pillars [c.5 feet in diameter] which appear to date from an early Norman building.
The north aisle is C13 with Geometrical windows to the east and west ends which have quatrefoils in circles and the north windows are 3 stepped lancet lights.
The south aisle is all of the C14 including the nave arcade which has octagonal columns with concave faces.
The north chapel [now called the Chapter House, formerly the Chapel of St. Katherine] is of c.1320 and has large 4-light windows with complex tracery which indicates the transition from Decorated to Perpendicular.
The separate tower is of c.1230 to its lowest three stages with rubble walls and ashlar to the broad angle buttresses.
Many of the monuments of all periods are of good, and occasionally exceptional quality.
Memorial to Captain Samuel Skynner, who died in 1725. The mason was Thomas White. Captain Skynner was 'no mean proficient in maritime affairs, having been proficient therein for near forty year'
They include a C13 effigy of a Benedictine monk, which was originally a coffin lid and now stands upright in the north chapel
a C14 altar tomb to a female member of the Carew family whose sculpted dress falls naturalistically over the edge of the tomb
The west end of the south aisle is railed off to form a chapel with reclining monuments to Anthony Biddulph, d. 1718 and his wife Constance, d. 1706.
Later building campaigns, principally in the C13
C14 are of similar quality and the richness of the architectural detail throughout is noteworthy.
Died 1490, a horse is shown beneath his feet (a pun on his name, as Capel was a name for a horse).