Ashdon, Essex

ALL SAINTS. Mostly C14, but externally much renewed. The W tower has a W window of early C14 type, angle buttresses, stepped battlements, and a spire. The S chancel chapel, which is taller than the chancel, has also two early C14 windows and is, besides, separated inside from the chancel by a two-bay arcade with an early C14 circular pier and moulded arches. To the same date the Royal Commission ascribes the kingpost roof of the chapel with four-way struts. The post itself is quatrefoil with moulded capital. Again early C14 one window in the S aisle. Later the arcades between nave and aisles which have a broad polygonal shaft without capital towards the nave and finer polygonal shafts with capitals towards the (two-centred) arches. The chancel arch is similar. C15 porches, and early C16 clerestory (a will of 1527 refers to three of the clerestory windows). - STAINED GLASS. Bits in the N chapel N window; c. 1400. - PLATE. Cup and Paten on foot of 1621. - MONUMENT. Big tomb-chest with three shields on intricately cusped panels; coat of arms on the back wall; early C16.

Arthur Mee says: Here by the Cambridgeshire border is one of the surprises of Essex, the Bartlow Hills. They are a group of mounds in two rows, the biggest being 40 feet high and 150 feet across. In them a century ago were found walled graves containing treasures of enamel and bronze and glass, the last resting places of British lords when England was part of the Roman Empire. We find a casket from these graves in the British Museum. Many old farms and cottages has Ashdon, some Elizabethan, some 17th century, and one, the old guildhall (now turned into cottages) built about 1500; it has an overhanging storey, ornamental brackets and the original timbers in the roof. The rectory is 100 years younger.

The oldest timbers in the village are in the 14th century church, where a lovely chancel roof was set up about the time of Agincourt. It has a beam with pierced ornament and other carving. Both porches are 15th century, and so are the chest and a moulded roof-beam. The nave has early Tudor woodwork and the big 14th century south chapel has its original timber roof resting on corbels of a lion and a knight. On a chapel wall at the windows are stone carvings of a knight and a woman, each behind a shield. The Norman font bowl is on a 13th century stem, the altar rails were made beautiful by Jacobean craftsmen and there are man fragments of glass about 500 years old, including an angel with golden wings. An altar tomb panelled with shields is in memory of the Tyrells of Henry the Eighth’s day and a tablet carved with fishes and scallop shells is to Richard Tyrell of 1566.

Flickr set.