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St Martin

Holt Heath

Worcestershire

Mid-C12, altered in C13, C14

Architectural Features

C15 additions, restored in 1859.

West tower: C15

its outer arch, enriched with cable moulding, continues as frieze which runs beneath the sills of the two lower C12 windows

Between them is the north doorway, also C12, round-headed of two orders, richly chevron moulded, and having nookshafts with figured capitals, the left one illustrating the fable of the Fox and the Crane both drinking from a cask.

To the west is a C19 window, again highly detailed in the C12 manner.

South chapel Added in C14, and adjoining upper nave and lower chancel.

3-light C14 east window and three C14 2-light windows in south wall

Chancel: Original chancel lengthened in C13.

2-light C15 east window

the sills of central and westernmost ones were lengthened in C13 and both cut through an embattled moulding.

Chancel south elevation has a C13 round-headed light at its east end.

INTERIOR: C12 chancel arch, with chevron mouldings and sunk label above enriched with medallions, beast's head at apex, double nookshafts and half-columns to each jamb, all have capitals with scalloped and interlace ornament, the north column carved with grotesque heads

South arcade, C14, two bays, round-headed arches of two chamfered orders, central octagonal pier with moulded capital and base

Font: C12 drum-shaped on chevron-incised base and short, thick stem with spiral fluting.

The pulpit is C19, with detailing of elaborate Romanesque inspiration.

C15 trefoil-headed piscina

opposite piscina in north wall of chancel is a C12 round-headed niche, defaced when the chancel was lengthened.

Either side of the altar are two C13 arched niches.

Brass neo-Romanesque altar rails of thick columns with decorated capitals.

There is also a mosaic of vines behind the altar and each side large mosaics of angels, the right one signed F Novo, Venezia 1886.

Memorials: In the south chapel is a C15 life-size effigy of a woman with a lion at her feet and a coat of arms

On the south chapel wall is a memorial to Henry Bromley, died 1683, of Ionic columns flanking the inscribed tablet with the Bromley crest within a pediment above.

On the west wall of the chapel is a memorial to Mercy Bromley, wife of Henry Bromley, died 1704, a tablet flanked by spiral columns and grieving cherubs, and above a relief of putti surmounted by the Bromley crest.

On the south wall of the chancel is a memorial to Sir Henry Bromley, died 1615, flanked by Ionic columns and above two angels and the Bromley crest

on the north chance wall are three early C19 memorials.

one to John Washbourne died 1619, a former rector, and some medieval tile remains.

There are also five ledger slabs and medieval tile remains on the chapel floor.

Glass: fragmentary C15 Annunciation in chapel.

Central window in north chancel wall has fragments of medieval glass.