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Gentleman's Magazine 1849 part 1 p.258
wainscot behind the altar extends across the entire width of
the chancel; it is divided into nine narrow, upright,
square-headed panels, containing cinquefoiled arches, with
trefoils in the corners, and is surmounted by an architrave
embattled on its upper edge. The middle panel, which is of a
purple diapered ground, bordered by a broad illuminated
edging of oak and vine leaves, following the course of the
arch, contains a cross flory, highly emblazoned in gold and
colours, within whose radiated centre is displayed the
sacred monogram, I.H.S. surrounded by a white and gold
circle, on which is painted in black and rubricated letters
this sentence, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the Sin of the World." The two next panels on each side,
within similar enriched borders surrounding white grounds,
contain the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Commandments
in black letters, with rubricated illuminated capitals and
other illuminations. The remaining compartments are without
ornament.
The pulpit and reading pew are features of the interior
which add much to its general effect, and cannot but of
themselves attract admiration.
The latter is a little elevated, and placed near the north
pier, at the junction of nave and chancel. It is an
irregular pentagon of handsome Gothic design. Light pillars,
which rise from an appropriate base, support cinquefoil
arches, that form small open panels; above which the
book-board rests: and beneath, springing from the west,
south-west, and south sides, are the half-length figures and
heads of the four Evangelists, each holding before it a
shield, on which is carved the emblem symbolic of the holy
man. The other sides of the pew are void of adornment.
The pulpit, which is hexagonal, is of good shape and
expression. It stands near the south pier, at the separation
of the nave and chancel, and on a line with the reading pew,
thus keeping up architectural symmetry. It terminates in a
single pedestal of similar form, that rests upon a plinth of
the same design. The sides are paneled, and enriched with
sunken pointed cinquefoil arches, that rise from small
circular pillars; and above them the shelf or book-board
supports an eagle with expanded wiings. The cushions and
draperies, like those in the reading pew, are of
murrey-coloured velvet.
The organ, which was likewise the gift of Mr. Stanger, and
the singers' gallery, occupy the west end of the nave, and
conceal the west window and lofty arch, which opens from the
tower into the nave, thus giving occasion for regret that
the ancient arrangement of leaving the entire space of the
tower, nave, and chancel clear to the view has not been
adhered to. Was this beautiful arch restored and thrown
open, the whole character of the interior would be greatly
improved; and, though in this particular case the
obstructions have been made as inoffensive as could possibly
be, yet it might have been more desirable, with due regard
to architectonic expression and effect, not to have closed
up the arch, or admitted a gallery before it at all.
The font, displaced from its ancient symbolical position
near the door, stands a little towards the north side of the
west end of the nave, and immediately below the gallery. It
is of stone, about four feet high, and has a pyramidal cover
of deal, painted to look like oak. Through the efflux of
time and much rough usage it is partially defaced, and
further disfigured by continuous applications of lime and
white paint. The head, which is octagonal, rests upon a
stem, whose lower portion is of similar shape, though the
upper part is quadrangular, and it rises from an incline
placed upon a square base. The four sides of the incline
have each had carving of some grotesque figure, now all but
obliterated; and beneath the head are four other sculptures,
all likewise so much mutilated as not to be defined, but
whose position, exactly over the sculptures at the base,
cause them to be regarded as having been the capitals of
four small columns, that afforded further ornamental support
to the overhaninging head. Seven of the faces of the lower
part of the stem are ornamented in high relief with carvings
of windows of the Decorated period of architecture, of three
lights each; and the remaining face is carved in the same
bold manner, top represent a window
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