Water Stratford

215. WATER STRATFORD.

(O.S. 6 in. xiii. S.W.)

Ecclesiastical

(1). Parish Church of St. Giles, at the S. end of the village, is built of stone rubble; the roofs are tiled. The whole church, except the tower, was re-built in 1828, much of the original detail being re-used, including two 12th-century doorways, and the late 13th-century chancel arch. The West Tower is of the 14th century. A stone with the date 1652 carved on it is built into the S. wall of the nave, and probably records alterations made at that time. The building was restored in 1890.

The 12th-century doorways are especially interesting.

Architectural Description—The chancel and nave are modern, but contain windows and doorways of earlier date, re-set. The Chancel: In the N. wall is a 12th-century doorway, with plain jambs and semi-circular head; the tympanum (see Plate, p. 14) is carved with a representation of the Agnus Dei on a background covered with a diaper of roses; the lintel is carved with the entwined figures of two dragons; the label has plain stops: W. of the doorway is a small 13th-century lancet, forming a low-side window; the label is plain, with moulded stops; the transom and shutter are modern. In the S. wall is a small 13th-century lancet window with a plain label, which has head-stops, apparently of later date than the label. The late 13th-century chancel arch is two-centred, and of two elaborately moulded orders, partly restored. The Nave has, in the N. wall, two windows; the eastern is of three lights under a semi-circular head, probably of the 17th century; the western window is of two lights; the tracery and square head are of the 15th century, re-worked in the 17th century; the rest is modern. In the S. wall is a window of two lights under a semi-circular head, possibly of the 17th century: W. of the window is the late 12th-century S. doorway; the jambs have plain shafts with slightly moulded bases; the capitals are carved with ornamental scroll-work and grotesque heads; the abaci have billet moulding, and the semi-circular head has zig-zag ornament with a small concave moulding round it; the tympanum (see Plate, p. 14) is in two pieces, and is carved with the representation of a 'Majesty'; the face has been restored; on each side of the figure is a kneeling angel; the lintel is carved with an arcading of interlaced semi-circular arches: above the doorway, built into the wall, is a stone inscribed with the date and initials, '1652. L.W.—W.P.' The West Tower (8 ft. by 9 ft.) is of two stages, and has detail entirely of the 14th century. The two-centred tower arch is of three chamfered orders with carved stops, which have been restored. In the N. wall is a window of two trefoiled lights and tracery under a two-centred head. In the S. wall, opening into the staircase of the bell-chamber, is a doorway with a two-centred head. The bell-chamber is lighted by plain oblong windows.

Fittings—Bells: three and sanctus; 1st inscribed 'Marye Cornewell, 1594', by Bartholomew Atton; 2nd by James Keene, 1669. Monument: In nave—on N. wall, to Marye, wife of John Franckyshe of Water Stratford, 1629. Miscellanea: Alms-shovel, of wood, 17th-century.

Condition—Good; some ivy on the walls.

Secular

Main street, E. side

(2). The Manor House, ¼ mile N.E. of the church, is of two storeys, built probably in 1598, and subsequently altered and enlarged. The walls are of stone rubble; the roofs are tiled. The plan consists of a rectangular block, attached at the N.E. corner to a second block containing the kitchen and dairy. S. Elevation:—There are two old windows, now blocked. N. Elevation:—The S.W. block is covered by a modern addition; above it is visible a large original chimney stack, with two square shafts built of brick, on a stone base: the N.E. block has two gables, and a chimney with the date 1598 on it. Interior:—In the ceilings are some chamfered beams.

In the wall of an outhouse, S.W. of the house, is a stone with the date 1669 carved on it, and in the garden wall is a doorway with the same date on the lintel.

Condition—Good.

(3). Cottage, 230 yards N.N.E. of the church, is of two storeys, built probably in the 17th century, and timber-framed, with filling of wattle and daub, partly replaced by modern brick. The roofs are thatched. The plan is L-shaped, the wings projecting towards the S. and E. One chimney stack has a base of thin bricks. Interior:—On the ground floor there is a wide open fireplace, and the ceilings have chamfered beams.

Condition—Fairly good.

W. side

(4). Town Farm, about 100 yards N.N.W. of the church, is a house of two storeys, built early in the 17th century, and with a modern addition at the back. The walls are of stone; the roofs are covered with thatch, tiles and slate. The plan is L-shaped, the wings projecting towards the S. and W. Some of the windows have old metal casements; in the S. wing the central chimney stack is original, and has three square shafts. Interior:— On the ground floor is a wide open fireplace, and there are some moulded beams in the ceilings.

Condition—Good.