Thundridge

An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1910.

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'Thundridge', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire, (London, 1910) pp. 221. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/herts/p221 [accessed 27 March 2024]

In this section

132. THUNDRIDGE.

(O.S. 6 in. xxx. N.W.)

Ecclesiastical

(1). The Old Parish Church: only the Tower remains; it stands in an isolated position near the river Rib, about ½ mile E. of Wadesmill. The walls are of flint rubble coated with cement; the dressings are of stone. It was built in the 15th century, and the rest of the church was pulled down in 1853.

Architectural Description—The Tower is of three stages, with angle buttresses on the W. side, and a straight parapet. The tower arch is much defaced, and is now built up; a 12th-century doorway, also much defaced, has been inserted, and above it a 14th-century window, well preserved, both evidently from the original church. The doorway has a round arch, with cheveron and other mouldings; the window is of two trefoiled lights with tracery under a square head. On the S. wall is a stone with a quatrefoil piercing and in the centre a rose; in the W. wall is a doorway, with a window above it of the 15th century. The 15th-century bell-chamber windows are each of two lights, trefoiled, with a quatrefoil in the head.

Fittings—Bells: four (now in the modern parish church); 1st, mediæval, probably by John Danyell, inscribed, 'Johannes est nomen ejus'; 2nd, 1623; 3rd, 1631; 4th, by John Dier, 1580.

Condition—Fairly good, but requires attention. The upper stages are held together by iron bolts and glands; much of the coping of the parapet has broken away. Two low buttresses were built on the E. side after the destruction of the church.

Secular

(2). Thundridge Bury, house (ruins), and Moat, about 110 yards N. of the tower of the old church. The only remains of the house consist of a red-brick chimney stack, about 45 ft. high, with fireplaces, now blocked, on the S. side. The house was of early 17th-century date. At Youngsbury, in Standon, is preserved a 17th-century oak panel with the arms of Gardiner, said to have come from a chimney-piece at Thundridge Bury.

Condition—The stack has a slight crack on the N. side, and has been buttressed on the S. The moat is in fairly good condition.