Architectural Features
In 1589 Thomas Sutton (date and initial in buttress to north wall) added the three - stage buttress with moulded plinths to north and west walls.
C13 lancets to first and second stages of south wall.
South aisle and south porch rebuilt end C14 by John Sleford , rector.
South porch has restored roof but original gable end parapet of two pitches with beast gargoyles.
C16 door with original plank and muntins.
Chancel, early C15, much restored 1875.
North aisle late C14 with north doorway of clunch.
Interior: tower arch, mid-late C13 clunch.
Clerestory and roof rebuilt C19, but roof jackposts on medieval corbels.
North and south aisles have late C14 roofs of six bays.
North chapel has screen incorporating early C17 sunk panelling strapwork overthrow and wood sculpture of St Nicholas.
There is some medieval stained glass in the tracery of the windows of the north aisle.
The chancel screen is C15 with some restorations.
In the chancel the rear arches of the original early C14 windows are visible.
The choir stalls, C15, are particularly fine and were probably the gift of John de Sleford.
The chancel "is furnished with some of the most striking 14th-century stallwork in England. The twenty-four stalls, designed c 1390, reflect the wealth of Ely's rectors here; they have armrests at two levels, so useful whether misericords were raised or lowered. Given by John de Sleaford...just conceivably from the workshop of Hugh Herland's glorious team of the King's carpenters, who roofed Westminster Hall in 1390s, for Sleaford was Master of Edward III's Wardrobe and Chaplain to Philippa of Hainault" (Norman Scarfe, Shell Guide). This upper armrest takes the form of a scaly wild man gripping a club.
Carved misericords, elbows, traceried back panels with coving.
Font: C13 octagonal bowl on wooden stem and base.
The tall and elaborate font cover is the work of John Burrows, Vicar from 1910-35. For more about it, try http://balsham.net/church/woodwork/#The%20contribution%20of%20John%20Burrell%20(1910-1935) . Norman Scarfe, in the Shell Guide, attributes the design to F E Howard.
![The tall and elaborate font cover is the work of John Burrows, Vicar from 1910-35. For more about it, try http://balsham.net/church/woodwork/#The%20contribution%20of%20John%20Burrell%20(1910-1935) . The figure facing the camera is Thomas Sutton, Master of Ordnance in the reign of Elizabeth I, who lived for a while in Balsham, where his wife died, and "did much for this parish", a notice explains.
See [[[5890089]]].](https://storage.googleapis.com/natbase-94192.firebasestorage.app/observations/2B8bxkdFrRaNBKHKuJcfbhTowL22/1775895194937_5890083_263f5dd5.jpg)
Fine C19 carved font cover.
The tall and elaborate font cover is the work of John Burrows, Vicar from 1910-35. For more about it, try http://balsham.net/church/woodwork/#The%20contribution%20of%20John%20Burrell%20(1910-1935) . The figure facing the camera is Thomas Sutton, Master of Ordnance in the reign of Elizabeth I, who lived for a while in Balsham, where his wife died, and "did much for this parish", a notice explains. See [[[5890089]]].
Saxon tomb slab at west end of nave.
C17 communion table in north chapel.
Brash chancel, south side: John de Sleford , Purbeck slab with elaborate brass indent