Radwell

102. RADWELL.

(O.S. 6 in. vii. N.E.)

Ecclesiastical

(1). Parish Church of All Saints, stands about 1½ miles N. by W. of Baldock and about ¼ mile W. of the Biggleswade road. It is built of plastered flint rubble; the roofs are tiled. The earlier history of the Chancel and aisleless Nave has been completely obscured by 15th-century repairs. The earliest detail, the chancel arch, is of c. 1340, but the walls are probably older. An arch partly carrying a bell-cot, and the E. window of the chancel are of c. 1500. The South Porch and North Vestry are modern.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (20 ft. by 13½ ft.) has an E. window of three lights, of c. 1500, and a modern single light in the S. wall: on the N. side is a modern doorway opening into the vestry. The chancel arch is of two wave-moulded orders on octagonal pilasters, with moulded bases and capitals. The Nave (35 ft. by 16½ ft.) has windows of two lights in the N., S., and W. walls, with little, if any, old work. The S. doorway is of late 14th-century date. The W. bay of the nave is cut off by a wall pierced by an arch of c. 1500 with coarse detail. The small Bell-Cot over the W. end of the nave is practically modern.

Fittings—Bells: two, undated. Brasses: in chancel, at S.E., of William Wheteaker, his wife Joan, and their son Thomas, a priest in Eucharistic vestments, who died in 1487, with inscription: in chancel at N.E., of Elizabeth, wife of John Parker, 1602, with inscription: in the nave, at N.E., of John Bele, 1516, and his wives Anne and Agnes, with inscription. Chest: at W. end of nave, mid 17th-century. Communion Rails, with moulded rail and square moulded balusters, early 17th-century, probably of Laud's time. Font: of rough workmanship, ornamented with shields, possibly 15th-century. Monuments: at E. end of S. wall of chancel, large, of alabaster, to Mary Plomer, 1605, with effigies of a woman seated, six sons, four daughters, and a chrisom child: on S. wall, alabaster, to Ann Plomer, 1625: on N. wall of chancel, small, of marble and alabaster, three kneeling effigies, of John Parker, 1595, his wife Mary, 1574, and their son John: on S. wall of nave, small, of alabaster and black marble, with kneeling effigy of Sir William Plomer, 1625. Plate: includes cup of 1574 and paten of 1796.

Condition—Good; much restored.