Weston Turville

96. WESTON TURVILLE.

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)xxix. S.W. ^(b)xxxiv. N.W.)

Ecclesiastical

^b(1). Parish Church of St. Mary, stands at the S. end of the village, and is built of flint rubble, partly covered with plaster; the chancel is covered with rough-cast; the porches are of brick and timber. The roofs are covered with lead. Of the 12th-century church only some fragments of detail remain; about the middle of the 13th century a South Aisle of three bays was added to the Nave, and the chancel probably re-built; c. 1345 the chancel was again re-built, the chancel arch widened, the nave probably lengthened, the North Aisle built, and two bays were added to the S. aisle. In the 15th century the West Tower was built in the W. bay of the nave, the clearstorey was added, the N. aisle re-constructed, the North and South Porches and the North Vestry were built. In the 19th century the Chancel was re-built again, on the old foundations, and the N. vestry was altered to make an organ-chamber.

The tracery in the 14th-century windows of the S. aisle is noticeable as being of unusual design.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (30 ft. by 18 ft.) has modern E. and S. windows. In the N. wall is a re-set window of c. 1340, much restored, of two trefoiled lights and tracery in a two-centred head, with an external label. The wide, two-centred chancel arch is of c. 1265, widened c. 1345, and of two chamfered orders; the jambs have three shafts, with crudely moulded capitals and bases. The North Organ-Chamber is almost entirely modern, but retains in the E. wall the early 15th-century window of the former vestry; it is of two cinque-foiled lights and tracery under a square head, and has a deep moulded external splay. The Nave (45 ft. by 20 ft.) is now of four bays, the fifth bay of the N. and S. arcades being covered by the tower. The N. arcade is of c. 1345; each column has four semi-circular shafts on a square pier, with moulded capitals and bases; the two-centred arches are of two moulded orders; on the S. side is an ogee label with grotesque head-stops. In the E. respond is a two-centred chamfered opening, with steps to the former rood-loft, entered from the aisle. The first two and a half bays of the S. arcade are of c. 1265; the round columns have moulded bases and plain bell-capitals with moulded octagonal abaci; the two-centred arches are of two chamfered orders, with a filleted roll label in the nave; the W. half of the third arch has a higher spring than the other half, and, with the third column and the rest of the arcade, is of the same date and design as the N. arcade. The clearstorey has, on each side, four windows, each of two trefoiled lights under a flat head, and of mid 15th-century date. The North Aisle (9 ft. wide) has, at the E. end, a modern arch opening into the organ-chamber. In the N. wall are four windows, each of two cinque-foiled lights under a square head; the three eastern windows are of mid 15th-century date, and have small sunk quatrefoils in the spandrels; the fourth window is of slightly earlier date than the others, and has plain spandrels and an external label, much restored; between the second and third windows is a 14th-century doorway, with jambs and two-centred arch of two continuously moulded orders; the rear arch is four-centred. In the W. wall is a window of c. 1335, and of two trefoiled lights and tracery in a two-centred head; the moulded rear arch has a label with volute-stops; the external label is moulded and partly restored. The South Aisle (9½ ft. wide) has, in the E. wall, a window of c. 1335, and of two trefoiled lights and tracery in a two-centred head; the inner jambs and rear arch are continuously moulded, and the internal label has head-stops. In the S. wall are three windows of the same date as the E. window, and of similar detail, but the eastern window has a square head, with tracery of unusual design, and a moulded external label; the segmental rear arch and internal label are moulded: the western window is of two cinque-foiled lights, with unusual tracery, under a square head, but the rear arch is triangular and has no label: the external stonework of all these windows has been much restored with cement: between the second and third windows is the S. doorway, of c. 1265, with shafted jambs, and moulded head and label; it is now blocked with brick, and partly hidden. The window in the W. wall is similar to the W. window of the N. aisle, but has modern tracery. The West Tower (11½ ft. by 11½ ft.), of two stages, is unusually high, with diagonal buttresses at the W. end, a N.W. stair-turret and an embattled parapet. The 15th-century tower arch is of two orders, the outer continuously moulded, the inner resting on engaged shafts, with moulded capitals and bases. In the N. and S. walls are the westernmost bays of the nave arcades, partly buried, and opening into the aisles are plain four-centred arches of two chamfered orders. The W. doorway is of two moulded orders, the inner four-centred, resting on slender shafts with moulded capitals and bases, and the outer square, with an external label, much restored; the W. window is of three cinque-foiled lights and tracery, with a moulded outer splay; the two-centred rear arch is moulded, the inner jambs are plain. Above the W. window, opening into the ringing-chamber, is a single light with a cinque-foiled head and a moulded label, possibly modern. The four 15th-century windows of the bell-chamber are each of two cinque-foiled lights under a square head, with a moulded label, all much restored. The North Porch was originally a timber structure of the 15th century, but has been re-built with brick, and retains only the original entrance archway, with chamfered jambs, heavy cambered head and a cusped barge board. The South Porch is similar to the N. porch, but the entrance has a rough pointed head with naturally curved timbers. The Roof of the chancel is of three bays, high-pitched, with four trusses; the cambered tie-beams have moulded curved wind-braces, the lower purlins are moulded with curved wind-braces and the upper purlins are plain; there is no ridge; the heavy moulded wall-plate has a frieze or cresting of pierced tracery with modern shields. The roof of the nave is high-pitched and of four bays, with five trusses, cambered tie-beams with curved wall-brackets, supported by moulded wood corbels with traceried spandrel, arched and traceried braces to the collar-beams, and moulded wall-plates with pierced cresting. The lean-to roof of the N. aisle has moulded purlins, and plain wall-plates and rafters; the purlins have arched braces resting on moulded wooden corbels; the E. bay is modern. All the old roofs are of late 15th-century date. The roof of the S. aisle is a modern copy of that of the N. aisle.

Fittings—Bells: six, 1st, by Chandler, 1700, 2nd, undated, possibly 17th-century; 3rd, inscribed 'Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum', by John Danyell, 15th-century, 4th, by John Carter, 1608, 6th, by John Carter, 1590. Brasses and Indents. Brass: In chancel—on N. wall, of civilian in furred robe, coat of arms, a cheveron between three crescents, no inscription, c. 1580. Indents: In N. porch— (1) much worn. In N. aisle—(2) much worn. Brackets: on E. wall of S. aisle, one with moulded ledge; a second with defaced head-corbel; on S. wall, between eastern windows, moulded; all 15th-century. Chairs: in chancel, the back carved with arabesque pattern, turned legs: bench convertible into table, the back carved with round arches and columns; both early 17th-century. Chest: in the tower, with panelled sides, and frieze of fluted ornament, early 17th-century. Doors: in S. doorway, fixed, plain lapped boards, strap-hinges, probably 16th-century: of N. porch, rough work, probably 17th-century: in W. doorway, cased both sides, date uncertain. Font: of the 'Aylesbury' type, circular fluted bowl, band of ornament in low relief at the top, stem cable-moulded, inverted capital base, late 12th-century. Glass: in E. window, upper part of figures of Virgin and Child, in gold-coloured glass, 15th-century: in third, window, S. wall of chancel, shield (set inside out) with arms, three leopards and a label, 14th-century: in the tracery of E. window and S.E. window of S. aisle, foliage designs, 14th-century: in S.E. window of S. aisle, quarry with inscription scratched with a diamond: in second window, N. wall of N. aisle, fragments representing canopies, and an impaled shield of arms, argent a cheveron between three harts' heads, the impalement broken and illegible, 15th and 16th-century. Paintings: in N. aisle, on canvas used for cupboard doors, possibly 17th-century. Piscinæ: in the chancel, double, with moulded head and label, circular column, double spandrel with pierced quatrefoil, double projecting basin, c. 1265, re-set: in S. aisle, with moulded trefoiled head, stone shelf, c. 1335. Plate: includes flagon of 1694, with inscription dated 1697, and coat of arms; cup of 1697, 'Puritan' type; small standing paten, without hall-marks, late 17th-century. Pulpit: five-sided, with richly carved panels, of oak, c. 1630. Screen: across E. end of S. aisle, one support and upper part, with cinque-foiled open panels and quatre-foiled tracery, oak, 15th-century. Miscellanea: in modern communion table, heads of five trefoiled panels, possibly secular, 15th-century: in S. aisle, panel with pious inscription, 1578: in the S. wall of the chancel, worked stones including some voussoirs with dog-tooth ornament, 13th-century; part of carved pillar, part of moulded base, etc., two panels, each carved with figure of soldier, much defaced, 12th-century; possibly from an Easter Sepulchre.

Condition—Good; a few cracks in walls of chancel and aisles. The glass in S. aisle requires attention.

Secular

^b(2). Mount and Bailey Castle, in the grounds of the Manor house, N. of the church, stands near a stream on level ground about 230 feet above O.D. The works apparently consisted of a keep mount and surrounding ditch, with a bailey on the S.; of a second bailey on the E. only part of the ditch remains. There is a spring in the ditch of the mount.

Dimensions—Mount, 192 ft. in diameter at base, 22 ft. high. Ditches: of S. bailey, 9 ft. deep, 36 ft. wide; of E. bailey, 5 ft. deep, 30 ft. wide.

Condition—Imperfect.

Homestead Moats

^a(3). At Broughton Farm, about 2 miles N.N.W. of the church, a double-moated site, with the ditch, now dry and much denuded. There is a rampart for some distance along the E. arm. (See also (33).)

Condition—Much denuded.

^b(4). Near Corn Mill, ³/8 mile S. of Brook End, fragment.

^b(5). At Manor Farm, about 800 yards N.W. of church, an angle of a moat showing traces of a rampart and outer bank.

^b(6–17). Cottages, twelve, some now two or more tenements, at West End, are nearly all of two storeys, the others of one storey and an attic, all built in the 17th century, of brick and timber, but some of them have been partly re-faced with modern brick. Most of the roofs are thatched, the others tiled. Many of the cottages retain chamfered ceiling-beams and wide, open fireplaces.

Condition—Fairly good.

Main street, N. side

^b(18). Cottage, now four tenements, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber in the 17th century; the S. half of the building has been re-faced with modern brick; the roof is thatched. Some of the rooms have chamfered ceiling-beams.

Condition—Fairly good.

S. side

^b(19). Farmhouse, now five tenements, is of two storeys, built of brick and timber in the 17th century, subsequently altered and restored. The plan is L-shaped, with a modern addition in the angle between the wings. One chimney stack and some of the windows are old. Inside the house are chamfered ceiling-beams and a wide, open fireplace, partly blocked.

Condition—Fairly good.

^b(20). Cottage, W. of Brickwall Farm, is of two storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof, built of brick and timber in the 17th century, partly re-faced with modern brick and covered with rough-cast; the roof is thatched. Inside the cottage is a wide, open fireplace, and an open timber ceiling.

Condition—Good.

^b(21). The Black Horse Inn, formerly a farmhouse, and said to have been a Quaker meeting-house, at Brook End, about 800 yards N. of the church, is a long rectangular building of two storeys and an attic, possibly of 15th-century origin. The walls are timber-framed, with filling of wattle and daub, partly replaced by brick. The roof is thatched. One chimney stack is of c. 1600. Interior:—In the ceiling of the ground floor are two moulded beams supported by brackets. Two large curved beams, rising from the ground and forming an arch in the roof, indicate that the house was built originally in the 15th century, and subsequently altered and enlarged; the roof has been raised, probably when the chimney stack was inserted, and the upper storey is now ceiled.

Condition—Fairly good.

^b(22–23). Cottages, two, at Bye Green, are each of two storeys, built of brick and timber in the 17th century, and partly re-faced with 18th-century brick; the roofs are thatched.

Condition—Fairly good.

Bates Lane, E. side

^b(24). Farmhouse and Barn, about 500 yards N.W. of the church. The House, now three tenements, is of two storeys and an attic, built of timber and brick probably in the first half of the 17th century, but subsequently much altered. The plan is L-shaped, with the wings extending towards the S. and W. The S. wing has been entirely re-faced; the S. bay with late 17th-century red bricks and black headers set in a diaper pattern; the N. bay with 18th-century and modern brick, but one original post remains in the E. wall; the central chimney stack is of 17th-century brick. The W. wing has been partly re-faced with modern brick, but retains some of the original timber and brick in the N. and E. walls; at the W. end is an original chimney stack. The roofs are tiled. Inside the house there are old ceiling-beams, and the wide, open fireplace under the central chimney stack retains the original corner seats.

The Barn, E. of the house, is probably of the same date; it is of three bays, the easternmost has been converted into a cottage, said to have been formerly an inn. The walls are timber-framed; the cottage has brick filling, the rest is weather-boarded; the roof is thatched.

Condition—Of house, fairly good; of barn, poor.

^b(25–28). Cottages, four, now seven tenements, in the road N. of the church, are each of two storeys, built in the 17th century. The walls are timber-framed with brick filling, partly re-faced with brick. Some of the windows and chimney stacks are old. Two cottages contain wide, open fireplaces, one with old dog-irons.

Condition—Fairly good.

^b(29). Cottage, now two tenements, about 350 yards N.W. of the church, is of two storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof, built in the 17th century, and timber-framed; the filling is partly of original plaster, partly of brick. The roof is thatched. The central chimney stack and some of the windows are old. Inside the cottage is a wide, open fireplace and the ceilings have exposed timbers.

Condition—Fairly good.

^b(30). House, at the corner of the road, 300 yards N.W. of the church, is of two storeys and an attic, built of timber and brick in the 17th century, but almost entirely re-faced with 18th-century brick; the roof is tiled. The chimney stack is of old thin bricks. In the ceiling of the ground floor is a slightly moulded beam.

Condition—Good; much restored.

Church Lane, S. side

^b(31). Cottage, now two tenements, is of one storey and an attic, built of brick and timber late in the 17th century; one tenement has been re-faced with modern brick. The roof is thatched. On the ground floor there are some chamfered ceiling-beams and a wide, open fireplace.

Condition—Fairly good.

N. side

^b(32). Cottage, now three tenements, is of two storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof, built of brick and timber in the 17th century; the roof is thatched. One chimney stack is of old thin bricks. Some of the rooms have wide fireplaces and open timber ceilings.

Condition—Fairly good.

^a(33). Foundations, possibly of an ecclesiastical building, and Worked Stones at Broughton Farm (see also (3)). Traces of foundations are visible within the northern moated enclosure on the farm; the worked stones were found on the site and are now in the garden; they are of the 15th century, and include part of a pillar of an arcade, and pieces of the moulded jamb of a large window.

Condition—Fairly good.