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St John the Baptist

St John The Baptist

Byford

Herefordshire

C12, extended C13, C14 and 1717, restored in 1851 and 1882-3.

Architectural Features

West tower 1717, nave C12, south aisle late C12, chancel C13, extended early C14 and C13 south transept.

The C13 south door is set in a slight projection and has a two-centred arch of two orders, the outer moulded, with a moulded label.

The porch is C14 of stone with a two-centred arch.

The nave north wall has five windows, which from west to east are: a window of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil under a two-centred head, a C12 semi-circular headed window, a 2-light window, a lancet and another 2- light window similar to the first.

The south transept south window is C14 of three trefoiled lights under tracery with a two-centred head and a label.

The two eastern piers (late C12) have moulded bases and scalloped capitals, the other two have moulded bases and capitals.

South aisle roof probably C14 of five bays with wall posts and cusped bracing.

Fittings: the octagonal font is dated 1638.

The rector's desk in the north-west corner of the chancel incorporates C17 panelling dated 1635.

Reredos composed of C17 panelling.

Extensive traces of C14 wall painting in south transept, including an elaborate canopy above a corbel which would have carried a statue.

Two figures of saints, one probably Saint Margaret.

On west wall of south transept, a Gothick memorial tablet to St John Cotterell, died 1790.

Two similar Gothick memorial tablets in south aisle to John Henry Cotterell, died 1834, and Sir John Geeres Cotterell, died 1845.