St Mary The Virgin

The nave and first stage of the tower are of septaria with some Roman brick and tile.

The nave, considered to be of the C11, has at the north elevation two blocked, narrow round headed windows near to the eaves

There are two other windows in this elevation, the easternmost is C19, and the middle window is mid-C15, of 3 cinque-foiled lights with vertical and transomed tracery in a 2-centred head

The buttresses at the east end are C16.

the second is of a similar style to the C15 window in the north elevation except that the transom is crenellated

Below this window is the C15 south doorway (covered by the late-C19 porch), with jambs and a 2-centred arch moulded in 2 hollow chamfers, with a moulded label

Immediately east of the door is a C16 stoup with round arch, the bowl broken.

The two upper stages of the tower are of red brick, rebuilt in the C16 or C17.

The buttresses to the south of the tower are of rubble with limestone dressings of the C14

those to the north of the tower are mostly of C16 red brick with occasional rubble and flint panels.

The second stage has in the south and west elevations a single C16 window with a brick hood-mould.

Although the outer south door is of C15, the round-headed, rear-arch of the earlier opening in irregularly laid Roman brick is exposed in addition to the tile-built jambs cut straight through the wall.

Between the two windows to the east is a C15 doorway to the rood-stair, with hollow-chamfered jambs and 2-centred head

The tower-arch is late C14, of one hollow-chamfered and 3 plain-chamfered orders

Above the tower-arch is an exposed relieving arch, partly of Roman brick.

The roof of tower was not inspected, but was reported by the RCHM(E) to be early C17, pyramidal with diagonal ties and a central post.

On the south wall of the nave is a brass , with figures of man in fur-lined gown and woman with pedimental head-dress, group of 9 daughters, and indents for inscription plate and 2 sons.

On the north wall of the chancel is a monument to Jane (Kempe), wife of Thomas Gardiner, 1654, oval inscription plate with scrolls, open pediment and 4 shields of arms, of veined marble.

The font dates to 1718, with a moulded octagonal bowl inscribed 'Good people all I pray take Care That in ye Church you doe not Sware as this man did', with octagonal shaft and moulded octagonal plinth.

18th century octagonal font bearing the inscription, 'Good people all I pray take care, That in ye church you do not swear. As this man did'. The first christening was marred by the drunken antics of the father, who had as recompense, to pay the £5 cost of the font.

© William Metcalfe

There are 10 bells, the third by Thomas Mears, 1796, the fifth by Miles Graye I, 1604, the sixth by Thomas Gardiner, 1728, the seventh by Miles Graye III, 1661, and the eighth by Thomas Nears, 1794.

The C19 east window and the 2 Cll windows of the nave have glass by Kempe, 1921.