Cowarne, Little

24 COWARNE, LITTLE (C.b.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)XX, S.E., ^(b)XXVII, N.E.)

Little Cowarne is a small parish 4 m. S. W. of Bromyard. The church is the principal monument.

Ecclesiastical

^b(1). Parish Church (dedication unknown) stands near the middle of the parish. The walls are of local sandstone rubble with dressings of the same material; the roofs are covered with slates. The N. wall of the chancel is perhaps of 12th-century date, but the whole of the rest of the church, consisting of Chancel, Nave, and West Tower, seems to have been re-built in the 13th century. The church was drastically restored in 1869, when the chancel-arch and the S. walls of the chancel and nave and most of the tower were re-built. The South Porch was added in 1911.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (18¼ ft. by 12¾ ft.) has a modern E. window. In the N. wall is a re-set 12th-century window of one round-headed light. In the S. wall is a re-set 13th-century window of two lancet-lights. The chancel-arch is modern.

The Nave (30 ft. by 16 ft.) has, in the N. wall, two single-light windows, the eastern of the 13th century and the western modern; between them is a blocked 14th-century doorway, with rounded jambs and two-centred head. In the S. wall are two modern windows; the S. doorway is similar to that in the N. wall, but not blocked.

The West Tower (8¼ ft. by 7½ ft.) has been largely re-built except for the 13th-century ground stage. The plastered tower-arch is two-centred and of one chamfered order. The W. window is of one lancetlight, partly restored.

Fittings—Bells: two, inaccessible. Communion Table: with turned legs, moulded end-rails and endstretchers, early 17th-century, lengthened in modern times. Font: cylindrical bowl with moulded top edge, probably 13th-century, re-cut, modern stem and old round base. Piscina: In chancel—in N. wall, square-headed recess, with modern round drain. Recess: In chancel—in S. wall, two-centred window-head, grooved for glass, retooled and re-set to form recess.

Condition—Good.

Secular

^a(2). Meadow Court, ¾ m. N.E. of the church, is of two storeys with attics and cellars; the walls are of rubble and plastered timber-framing and the roofs are tiled. The E. part of the house dates probably from the 16th century, but the central chimney-stack and probably the W. wing were built in 1632; about the same time a wing was added N. of the original block. There are later and modern additions. The main chimney-stack is of cruciform plan with diagonal shafts and bears the date 1632. Inside the building are exposed ceiling-beams and timber-framing.

Condition—Good.

^b(3). White House, 350 yards E. of the church, is of two storeys with cellars; the walls are mostly timber-framed and the roofs are tiled. It was built early in the 17th century, but the middle part has been heightened. The walls have exposed timber-framing. Inside the building are some exposed ceiling-beams and, in the middle room, some original panelling.

Condition—Good.

^b(4). Cottage, 70 yards S.E. of (3), is of two storeys, timber-framed and with a thatched roof. It was built late in the 17th century and has exposed framing, both externally and internally.

Condition—Poor.