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St Mary

Launton

Oxfordshire

Late Cl2, C13, C14 and C15, restored C19

Architectural Features

old plain-tile and lead roofs

Tiled C15 chancel, with plinth and stepped diagonal buttresses, has a 3-light Perpendicular-style east window (mostly 1851) and 2-light side windows with 4-centred arches

the western window, south side, is probably C16, being larger and uncusped

to south are 2 large square-headed 3-light traceried windows, and the parapet has a C17 inscription and a sundial

Tiled C15 south porch has a Tudor-arched entrance and a group of 3 trefoil windows, (inserted C19) and it shelters the C15 south doorway

to north is a large 3-light square-headed traceried window plus a small moulded 4-centre-arched doorway (now blocked), and to west a square-headed 2-light C15/C16 window

East gable of nave has a blocked C13 trefoil-headed opening and the remains of a second opening, probably later

C15/C16 clerestory windows to north and south have 2 cusped lights

Late C12 tower, with a plain parapet rising from a moulded string, has a lancet to west, and bell-chamber openings of 2 pointed arches within a semi-circular rubble outer arch

Chancel arch and 4-bay north arcade are late C14, with octagonal piers and moulded capitals

south arcade has 3 early-C13 circular columns with moulded capitals, one with fleurs de lys and grotesques on a band of nailhead ornament, but was rebuilt with C14 octagonal responds and arches of 2 hollow-chamfered orders

Small C15 piscina and mutilated cusped stoup in south aisle

Nave and aisle roofs, with stop-chamfered joists and purlins, moulded cambered tie beams and, in nave, arched braces from moulded posts look C15 but are dated late C16 by Sharpe

Plain octagonal font on stem

Royal arms of 1617 over south door

Oak lectern (1917), with a tapering crenellated stem surrounded by canopied angels, and oak screen (1910) by J.0. Scott, with pierced friezes of flowers, a cresting of roses, and pierced panels carved with birds and musical motifs are both very fine pieces in Arts and Crafts style

C19 glass in chancel and south aisle

Classical wall tablet in south aisle commemorates Shelomith Deeley (died 1736). Porch has a C15 roof with curved windbraces and the small windows contain fragments of medieval stained glass. (V.C.H.: Oxfordshire: Vol.VI, p.241

Photo coming soon