24. TOWER WARD.
Tower Ward includes the parishes of All Hallows
Barking and St. Dunstan in the East, and parts of
the parishes of St. Margaret Pattens, All Hallows
Staining and St. Olave Hart Street. The principal
monuments are the churches of All Hallows
Barking and St. Olave Hart Street.
Ecclesiastical
(1) Parish Church of All Hallows Barking
(Plate 217) stands on the N. side of Great Tower
Street. The walls are of ragstone and other rubble,
with dressings of limestone; the tower is of brick;
the roofs are covered with slates and lead. The
earliest parts of the present church are the Nave-
arcades, which date from about the middle of the
13th century. The lower part of the E. wall may be
as early, or perhaps of the 14th century, when the
E. window was inserted. The recently discovered
Crypt under the E. end of the S. aisle appears to be
of the middle of the 14th century. In the first half
of the 15th century the Chancel-arcades were built
and the E. arch of each of the nave-arcades was
widened by the rebuilding of its E. respond further
E. The Chapels were added or re-built at the same
time and probably some of the arches of the nave-arcades were re-built, the N. aisle extended one bay
further W. and perhaps also the nave with it.
The clearstorey is also of the same century with the
heightening of the E. wall in consequence. In
1649 the W. end was injured by an explosion and
the tower (said to have stood at the W. end of the
S. aisle) was taken down. A new Tower was built
at the W. end of the nave in 1658–9. The East
Vestry was probably added c. 1705, when the
fittings of the church were renewed. Modern
restorations took place in 1814, when the walls
generally were lowered and the old roofs removed;
in 1860–2, when a turret-stairway on the S. and a S.
porch were removed, and in 1883, when a general
restoration took place and the North Porch, with
chambers over and beside it, was added.
The Parish Church of All Hallows, Barking
The tower is interesting as an example of the
Cromwellian period. Amongst the fittings the
Evyngar brass and the carved font-cover are noteworthy.
Architectural Description—The Chancel 39½ ft.)
by 24 ft.) has an early 14th-century E. window of
five trefoiled lights with a traceried two-centred
head; the internal splayed jambs are ancient, but
the mullions and tracery are modern restoration on
the old lines. Below it to the S. is a round-headed
doorway to the vestry, probably of early 18th-century date. The N. arcade is of three bays and
early 15th-century work; the arches are deeply
moulded, the first being two-centred and the other
two four-centred; they rest on piers consisting of four
attached shafts with moulded capitals and bases and
divided by hollows flanking a filleted roll which is
continued in the arch; the responds have attached
half-piers. The first arch is slightly lower than its
fellows. The arches have a moulded label on the
S. mitering with a string-course at the apex; the
string is stepped down over the E. arch. The
clearstorey has three late 15th-century windows
on each side, the first of two cinque-foiled lights and
the others of three, all under four-centred heads
with segmental-pointed rear-arches. Externally
they are all restored. The S. arcade is uniform with
the N., except that the first arch is higher than
the other two and the string-course is stepped up
over it.
The North Chapel (19½ ft. wide) has a late
15th-century E. window of four cinque-foiled lights
with a segmental-pointed head and a moulded
label. In the N. wall are two windows, in the
second and third bays, similar to the E. window
but of three lights.
The South Chapel (20 ft. wide) has an E. window
of four lights, similar to that in the N. chapel, and
in the S. wall three windows of three lights all of
similar character.
The Nave (57 ft. average by 24 ft.) is structurally
undivided from the chancel (Plate 216) and has a N.
arcade of four bays of c. 1230–1240. The arches are
of two pointed and chamfered orders resting on
heavy cylindrical piers. The easternmost bays are
wider than the others, the E. halves having probably been re-built and altered in the 15th century;
most of the other arches also have later voussoirs
mixed with the small voussoirs of the 13th century
and may have been re-built. The E. respond, which
forms part of the 15th-century E. arcade, and the
first two piers have early 17th-century moulded
capitals, raised above the original springing-level;
the third pier and the W. respond retain their
original moulded bell-capitals. The E. respond
and the W. respond of the chancel-arcade are set
back to back and are of one build. Above the
arches runs a 15th-century moulded string-course,
and the clearstorey, above it, is pierced by four
windows uniform with the chancel-clearstorey,
except the westernmost which is of two lights only
The S. arcade is similar to the N. and of three
bays, the W. respond, which appears to be an
original column adapted, is the only one retaining
its original capital. The bases on both sides have
been cut away. The clearstorey is similar to that
on the N.
The North Aisle of the nave (19½ ft. wide) is
structurally continuous with the N. chapel and has
two windows in the first two bays of the N. wall,
but not placed centrally. They are uniform with
those in the N. wall of the N. chapel. In the third
bay is a 15th-century N. doorway having a four-centred arch under a square external head, the
spandrels with quatre-foiled panelling and a
moulded label. In the fourth bay is a blocked
window, the head of which is visible externally.
In the W. wall is a window similar to the E. window
of the N. chapel. This wall is canted on plan,
forming a fifth bay on the line of the N. arcade;
the wall here is carried on a segmental arch blocked
on the S. by the wall of the tower.
The South Aisle (20 ft. wide) has two windows
in the first two bays of the S. wall similar to those
in the S. wall of the S. chapel. The wall of the
third bay is modern and canted and contains a
modern doorway. In the same bay E. of the S.
doorway is a four-centred plain doorway of the 15th
century which opened into the former staircase
leading up to the upper storey of the S. porch.
The W. wall is blank.
The West Tower (9½ ft. by 11½ ft.), built in 1659,
is of brick and of four stages, marked externally
by brick bands and finished with a modern parapet.
The tower is not placed centrally and lines with the
canted W. wall of the N. aisle, its axis making a
considerable deviation to the N. from that of the
nave. The ground-stage has a round-headed
arch to the church on the E. and a round-headed
W. doorway with an oval window above it, both
included internally under a square head. Externally the doorway has plain raised impost and
key-blocks, and the window is set in a plain rectangular raised frame. The circular staircase of
timber is set in a semi-circular sinking in the S.W.
angle of the tower walls, the outer semi-circle being
protected only by an open wood framing. The
second stage has a round-headed window in the
W. wall with a wooden frame and two pointed and
transomed lights. The third stage has a similar
window in the W. wall. The bell-chamber has a
round-headed louvered opening in each face with
wooden frame and two transomed lights. Set on
the centre of the tower is a square timber lantern
or cupola, lead-covered and having two round-headed openings in each face. Above these there
is a cornice on which rests a square dome with a
ball and vane on the top.
The Crypt (Plate 218), under the E. end of the S.
chapel (22 ft. by 12 ft.), has a semi-circular barrel-vault divided into five narrow bays by chamfered
ribs of stone, the infilling being of chalk as well as
the N. and S. side walls. It is probably of mid 14th-century date. In the E. wall is an 18th-century
doorway, the N. jamb of which is of brick, but the
S. jamb is a rebated one of older stone, possibly the
remains of an earlier doorway in situ. It opens
into a small brick lobby from which a stairway
rises to the churchyard outside. In the S. wall,
in the second bay from the E., is an original window
of roughly chamfered stones with its rear-arch
groined back to the main vault. In the next bay
westward are the sill and lower jamb-stones of
another single light, and visible from the outside
of the crypt; the opening has been filled in with
chalk flush with the main vault. In the W. wall
at its N. end is an original doorway, the dressings
of which have been removed or have perished and
which is now restored in chalk. From this doorway is an original straight stairway, with muchperished steps, which led up to the interior of the
church W. of the crypt. It is now closed over with
paving. At the S. end of the W. wall is a 17th or
18th-century doorway opening into a small lobby
of brick with a round vault also of brick, and S. of
the crypt is a long narrow chamber formed by 17th-century burial-vaults of brick. This has a deep
niche or recess at its E. end. From the W. end
of the last chamber are modern steps leading up
into the S. aisle.
The Vestry at the E. end of the chancel was
probably built early in the 18th century, but has
been completely altered and the walls rendered in
cement. It has three modern windows in the E.
wall and a modern doorway in the S. wall.
Fittings—Brasses and Indents. Brasses: In
chancel—(1) to [Agnes widow of William Bonde,
1552] shield-of-arms; (2) of Roger James, 1591,
figure of man in civil costume, foot-inscription and
shield-of-arms; (3) to Marie (Brownrigg) wife
of John Burnell, 1612, inscription only; (4) to
Thomas Gilbert, 1483, and to Agnes, widow of
John Saunders, 1489, inscription and two roundels
with symbols of SS. John and Luke; (5) of
Andrew Evyngar [1533] and Ellyn his wife,
rectangular plate of Flemish workmanship with
figures of man and wife in civil costume with
scrolls and under a Renaissance canopy of two
bays with image of Our Lady of Pity, figures
of one son and six daughters, shields of the
arms of the Merchant Adventurers' and Salters'
Companies and a merchant's mark, remains
of incised inscription round slab with symbols
of the Evangelists at angles. In N. chapel
—(6) to John Bacon, 1437, and Joan his
wife, figures of man and wife in civil costume,
foot-inscription and heart with scroll; (7) to
Thomas Virly, 1454, vicar of the parish, much
defaced slab with incised figure of priest under
canopy with defaced head and hands in one piece,
and two angels flanking head in brass, brass foot-inscription. In N. aisle—(8) on E. wall to [Philip
Dennys, 1556], shield-of-arms only; (9) to George
Snayth, 1651, auditor to William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, inscription with shield-of-arms. In S. chapel—(10) of William Thynne,
1546 [and Anne (Bonde) his wife], figures of man
in armour and wife, foot and marginal inscriptions
with three symbols of the evangelists, the fourth
missing; palimpsest on effigy of man, part of
figure of lady with mantle and rich girdle, of
c. 1530; on effigy of woman, part of figure of priest
in mass-vestments holding chalice, of c. 1510; on
parts of marginal inscription, portions of scroll-work and two inscriptions, one to Sir John . . .;
(11) to William Tonge [1389], inscription enclosing
shield-of-arms, parted palewise a fleur-de-lis counterchanged a border engrailed. In S. aisle—(12) of
John Rusche, 1498, figure of man in civil dress,
with foot-inscription; (13) of Christopher Rawson,
1518, and Margaret and Agnes (Buke), his
wives, figures of man in civil costume and wives
in pedimental head-dresses, etc., three labels
and a foot-inscription; on second pier from
W., (14) of William Armer, 1560, rectangular plate
with kneeling figures of man in armour and
wife, three sons and two daughters, label, long inscription and shield-of-arms, plate restored 1843;
(15) on floor, to Margaret wife of Arthur Bassano,
1620, and to Camela their daughter, wife of Henry
Whitton, 1622, inscription only. See also Monuments (2) and (7). Indents: In vestry at W. end
of N. aisle—(1) of man in armour and foot-inscription; (2) of kneeling figure and inscription-plate. In tower—(3) of figure, foot-inscription and
shield; (4) of figures of man and wife, foot-inscription and shield; (5) of two figures, foot-inscription
and four shields. Chairs: In chancel—with turned
posts to back, carved heads, turned legs and
scalloped feet, probably late 17th-century. Cistern:
On N. side tower—of lead with panelled and
enriched sides, lion's head, and two shields with
initials B. A. H. and date 1705. Clock: On W.
face of tower—carved and enriched wooden clockcase with scrolls and pediment, curved bracket
under supporting beam, late 17th-century. Communion Table (Plate 43): of oak, with moulded
top and rails, post at each end with carved scrolls
and two carved eagles on each cross-rail, given by
Mr. Burdon, 1685. Communion Rails: of brass
with moulded rails, symmetrically turned balusters
and rectangular standards, given by Lady Anne
Colleton, early 18th-century. Doors and Lobbies: to
N. and S. doorways, panelled doors and inner lobbydoors, now glazed and with fanlights, doorways
flanked by fluted Corinthian pilasters with entablature, panelled sides, c. 1705. In doorway to former
upper storey of S. porch, with feather battens and
two plain strap-hinges, probably 16th-century. Font
and Cover (Plates 220, 13). Font: round moulded
bowl of dark grey marble, baluster-shaped stem
and square moulded base. Cover: round baseboard with moulded edge and central upright
crowned by a dove, from upright hang three
freely carved festoons of fruit and flowers, the
ends divided and spreading over the base-board,
between the festoons are three figures of cherubs;
enriched wrought-iron bracket for pulley; all late
17th-century. Gallery: at W. end, with later
front; staircase with turned balusters, square
newel, moulded rail and straight string, c. 1675.
Glass: In N. chapel—in second window in N. wall,
rectangular panel with achievement-of-arms of
Starling and inscription recording glazing after
the Great Fire of 1666. In S. chapel—in easternmost window in S. wall, a shield of the arms of St.
George (? City of London), 16th-century; in second
window, panel with achievement-of-arms of
Edwards and the date 1666; in fourth and fifth
windows, fragments including parts of a shield,
etc., 17th-century. Monuments and Floor-slabs.
Monuments: In chancel—on S.E. respond, (1) to
Rev. John Kettlewell, M.A., 1695, draped marble
tablet with cherub-head, scrolls and urn. In N. aisle
—against N. wall, (2) to [John Croke, 1477, alderman, and Margaret his wife], altar-tomb and canopy
(Plate 19) of Purbeck marble, altar with moulded
slab and plinth with band of quatrefoils, front and
sides with large quatre-foiled and traceried panels
flanked and divided by three upright panels in
front, blank shield in middle of each quatrefoil;
canopy supported in front on two octagonal piers
with moulded bases, front of canopy with two
cusped and depressed arches with panelled spandrels, above them a cornice with shields alternating
with carved pateræ (foliage and roses) and the
Holy Name, above again a frieze of quatrefoils and
a cresting of Tudor flowers; similar decoration
returned round ends of canopy, soffit with elaborate
fan-tracery; in slab at back of tomb, brasses of
kneeling figure of man in civil costume with seven
sons on the same plate, and second plate with wife
in widow's veil with five daughters, scroll from
wife's mouth and shield-of-arms azure a fesse engrailed ermine between three eagles or; (3) of Jerome
Banali, 1585, marble wall-monument with kneeling
figure of man in civil dress, recess flanked by
enriched pilasters supporting an entablature and
cartouche-of-arms; (4) to Giles Lytcott, 1696, and
Sarah his wife, 1713, Col. Nathaniel Long, 1714,
and Sarah (Lytcott) his wife, 1731–2, white marble
wall-monument consisting of enriched pedestal
supporting Doric column flanked by cherubs;
(5) to Baldwin Hamey, 1640, physician to the
Czar, marble tablet with elliptical panel in rectangular frame with achievement and two shields-of-arms. In S. aisle, on S. wall, (6) to Francis
(Appleton), wife of Francis Goldsmith, 1618, stone
tablet with enriched pilasters and cartouche-of-arms; (7) altar-tomb and canopy of Purbeck
marble, c. 1500, altar-tomb with moulded slab
and plinth; in front, three quatre-foiled lozenge
panels each with a blank shield; canopy-recess
flanked by shafted piers with concave sides and
having a flat shouldered arch, springing from
smaller attached shafts with moulded capitals
and bases; the arch surmounted by a frieze of
quatrefoils, cornice and cresting of Tudor flowers,
piers carried up as pedestals at each end and a
similar pedestal in the middle of the front,
richly cusped and panelled soffit; on wall at back,
brass with figure-subject, the Resurrection, remains
of two scrolls with prayers; (8) to John Winder,
1699, his brother Jonathan, 1717, and Samuel
Winder (undated), marble wall-monument consisting of moulded shelf and bracket, supporting
Ionic column with achievement-of-arms and
shield supported by cherubs who stand on moulded
shelf which is carried on a wide Corinthian pilaster
forming a backing to the detached Ionic column;
floriated consoles cover the foot of the wide
Corinthian pilaster; (9) to James Hickson, 1689,
large marble tablet with Corinthian side columns,
scrolls, entablature, broken pediment and cartouche-of-arms; (10) of Francis Covell, 1621.
and Margery, his wife, 1643–4, marble wall-monument with kneeling figures of man and wife
in civil costume under two round arches flanked
by enriched pilasters supporting a broken segmental pediment containing a skull; shields-of-arms on the pilasters. Floor-slabs: In middle
aisle—(1) to Charles Thornhill, late 17th-century,
with defaced shield-of-arms; (2) to Joanna,
widow of Admiral Sir John Kempthorne, 169–,
and Captain Rupert their youngest son. 1692.
stone placed by the widow of Captain John Kempthorne their eldest son who died in Barbados, 1692,
with shield-of-arms; (3) to Bridget, wife of John
Holden, 16—, with shield-of-arms; (4) to Hannah
Gordon, 1710; (5) to Michael Darby, 1672; (6) to
Anthony Death, 1679; (7) to Robert Huckell,
1694. In N. chapel—(8) to William Denham, date
not filled in, and Elizabeth his wife, 1540; (9) to
Roger Hatton, 1666, with shield-of-arms; (10) to
William Shipman, 1681, with shield-of-arms. In
S. aisle—(11) to John Pym, 1712, Elizabeth his
wife, 1700, and their children, Ann, 1682, Anna,
168–, William, 1686, Humphrey, 1689, William,
1696, Robert, 169–, Francis, 1696, and Mary, 1696;
(12) to Henry Hunter, 1669, and Henry his son, 16—;
(13) to Elizabeth (Lannoy) wife of John Hunter,
1712, and John, her husband, 1714. Organ-case
(Plate 54): On W. gallery—organ originally built
by Renatus Harris, 1675, but mostly destroyed by
fire in 1881; the original case encloses three towers
of pipes with pierced carving and entablatures at
the top and standing on brackets with cherub-heads, intermediate spaces filled with pipes in two
tiers with pierced and carved scroll-work, and
cornices ramped up to middle tower and supporting figures of angels with trumpets. Painting:
now fixed on reredos—the Holy Family with
SS. John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elizabeth.
Panelling: panelled wainscoting all round church
with moulded capping; also re-used panelling
forming partition at W. end of N. aisle, all c. 1705
Part of the moulded capping on the N. wall under
the third window is of stone. Piscina: In
chancel—in S.E. respond, damaged cinque-foiled
ogee head, shelf and part of round basin, 15th-century, lower part cut away. Plate: includes
flagon of 1626, flagon of 1633, given 1634; cup
and cover-paten of 1631, given the same year; cup
and cover-paten of 1633, dated 1634; small cup
of 1684, dated 1685; square bread-plate of 1633
with four feet; alms-dish of 1633, dated the same
year; two small stand-patens of 1702 (recently
added) and a spoon probably of 1628. Pulpit
(Plate 221): of oak, hexagonal with moulded cornice and base, two carved and enriched terminal
pilasters at each angle, each face with two panels,
lower with drapery and upper with elaborate inset
tablet having round-headed panel in middle and
carved scrolled pediment at top, ogee stem with
moulded ribs, on post with moulded capping.
Staircase with moulded handrail on elaborate
scrolled and foliated ironwork, probably of 1705.
Hexagonal sounding-board with panelled soffit,
including circle of bay-leaves and enriched entablature with cherub-head pendants at the angles, a
panelled tablet with painted inscription in the
middle of each face and a frieze carved with fruit,
etc., panelled support with pierced arabesque
scrolls and cherub-heads at top; pulpit [1613],
sounding-board bought 1638. Recess: In N. wall,
under third window, concealed by panelling but
E. jamb visible, probably 15th-century. Reredos
(Plate 220): of three main bays divided and
flanked by fluted Corinthian columns supporting
a continuous enriched entablature which breaks
forward above the columns, and four draped
urns; middle bay has at base a panel of carved
scroll-foliage; the side bays have each a round-headed panel with paintings of Moses and Aaron
respectively and, below, a carved cherub-head
and swags; flanking the reredos are enriched
panels with the Lord's Prayer and Creed with
carved swags and festoons and finished with
segmental pediments; below each panel is a
panelled door, one leading into the vestry and one
sham [all 1685]. Royal Arms: On N. side of
gallery—Stuart arms of carved wood. Screens:
N. and S. of sanctuary—panelled screens with
carved and pierced frieze-panels and carved and
moulded capping; at W. ends, three panelled
projections like buttresses, finished with pierced
and carved scrolls, c. 1705. Around font, panelled
enclosure with gates formed with turned balusters,
material of c. 1705. Seating: pews generally are
of c. 1705 and panelled, but cut down and altered;
churchwardens' enclosed pews (Plates 68, 37) at W.
end of nave with pierced and carved frieze-panels
to front and back, the last with richly carved
panels, four containing medallions with figures in
low relief of the four Evangelists; in S. pew are
two seats with carved arms. Elsewhere in the
church are a number of settles and forms, all late
17th or early 18th-century. Miscellanea: in bell-chamber—enriched wooden panel recording erection of tower in 1659.
Condition—Good.
(2) Parish Church of St. Olave (Plate 223)
stands on the S. side of Hart Street at the W.
corner of Seething Lane; the walls are faced
with squared ragstone, except the top stage of
the tower which is of stock brick; the dressings
are of Portland and other limestone and the
roofs are covered with lead, except the vestry
which is covered with slates. There appears to
have been a small church on the site about 1270,
of which the present W. wall of the Nave and the
Crypt of two bays, below it, are the remains.
How far this church extended to the E. is now
uncertain, and the existence of aisles is doubtful.
In the 15th century, under the will of one of the
family of Cely, the building was enlarged and
much altered. The nave, except some 9 ft. at
the W. end, was widened to the north, the nave
and Chancel in one span was probably lengthened
to its present limits and the North and South Aisles
were added with their arcades. The presence of
pre-existing buildings may have prevented the
extension of the N. aisle to coincide with the W.
wall of the nave, and the S. aisle was built to match
it. Perhaps part of the same rebuilding, but a
little later in point of date, is the South West
Tower; this was provided with a N. arch showing
that it was the intention to extend the nave westwards at some future date, but this work was never
carried out; this extension would also have
allowed an additional bay to the N. aisle and
arcade. The church was restored in 1632–3, the
South Vestry was added in 1661, and probably in
1693 (the date on a rainwater-head) the whole
church was refaced. In 1731–2 the bell-chamber
of the tower was added or re-built. The church
has been extensively restored in modern times, the
former galleries in the N. and S. aisles removed and
the E. window re-built in a 14th-century style.
The church is chiefly interesting for its monuments.
Architectural Description—The Chancel and Nave
(63 ft. by 18 ft.) are structurally undivided (Plate
223). The E. window of three lights and tracery is
modern except for part of the splays and jambs.
The N. and S. arcades are each of three bays with
two-centred arches of two moulded orders; the
columns of Purbeck marble have each four attached
shafts with moulded capitals and bases; the
responds have attached half-columns. The clearstorey has an internal string-course at its base and
has on each side three early 16th-century windows,
much restored and of three cinque-foiled lights in
a segmental-pointed head with a moulded label.
In the W. wall is a three-light window, perhaps of
the 13th century with intersecting tracery; it is
now blocked and covered with cement externally,
part of it is covered by the adjoining wall of the
next house.
The Parish Church of St Olave, Hart St
The Crypt (24 ft. by 14 ft.) is of two bays
(Plate 219), and its W. wall coincides with that of
the Nave. The bays are divided by a two-centred
chamfered rib, apparently of Caen stone, and each
bay has similar diagonal ribs; the web is of
square chalk blocks. The side walls are of original
masonry, but the N. wall of the W. bay has been
lined with 18th-century brickwork. In the W.
wall is a small original lancet-window rising above
the level of the vaulting and with the head exposed
externally. A similar window existed in the S.
wall of the E. bay, but this has been partly destroyed
by the enlarging of the opening. In the S. wall of
the W. bay are the jambs of a former opening,
possibly the original entrance. Some 17th or
18th-century steps through the E. wall lead up
to a later entrance in the floor of the Nave, now
covered by a gravestone. There are at present
no visible remains of a paved floor.
The North Aisle (15 ft. wide) has in the E. wall
a 15th-century window, with modern mullions
and tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded
label. In the N. wall are three much-restored
early 16th-century windows, each of three cinque-foiled lights in a segmental-pointed head with a
moulded label; below the westernmost window is
the 15th-century N. doorway with moulded and
shafted jambs and moulded two-centred arch in a
square head with a moulded label and quatre-foiled
spandrels with blank shields.
The South Aisle (13½ ft. wide) has an E. and three
S. windows all similar to the corresponding windows
in the N. aisle. Near the E. end of the S. wall is
a restored 15th-century doorway with moulded
jambs and two-centred arch in a square head with
quatre-foiled spandrels; below the westernmost
window in the S. wall is the restored 15th-century
S. doorway; it has moulded jambs and four-centred arch in a square head with a moulded label
and cusped spandrels; between the first and second
windows is a square-headed doorway, high in the
wall and now blocked; it formerly communicated
between an external staircase and the S. gallery.
The South West Tower (13 ft. by 12¼ ft.) is of three
stages, the two lower of stone and of the 15th
century, refaced at the end of the 17th century,
and the top stage of brick and of the 18th century.
The ground-stage has in the E. and N. walls a
two-centred arch of two moulded orders divided
by a casement-hollow; the responds have each
three attached shafts with moulded capitals and
bases. In the W. wall is a window of three
cinque-foiled lights with vertical tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded label and moulded
rear-arch. The second stage has in each wall a
small window, square-headed and of late 17th-century date externally, but with four-centred
15th-century heads internally; in the E. wall is a
15th-century doorway, to the leads of the S.
aisle, with a four-centred head.
The Vestry was built in 1661, and has at the S.
end a fireplace flanked by two round windows.
In the W. wall are two square-headed windows,
with iron bars and casements.
The Roof of the body of the church is of the
15th century. It is of four bays with a narrow
bay at the E. end and is of the low-pitched tie-beam type, with moulded main timbers and curved
brackets resting on corbels carved with angels
holding shields on the N. and mouldings with
shields on the S.; the shields on the N. have each a
merchant's mark, those on the S. have a different
merchant's mark in one instance and two leopards
in three other instances; the soffit of each bay
is cut up by moulded ribs in main and subsidiary panels with foliated bosses at the intersections. The roofs of the aisles are of similar
form and date; the soffits of the main beams of the
S. aisle are ornamented with small lead stars, and
there are, apparently, traces of painted decoration
under the varnish.
Fittings—Bells: six and clock-bell. 1st by
James Bartlett, 1694, 2nd to 6th by Anthony Bartlett, 1662. Brasses: In N. aisle—under glass, (1) to
Henry, son of Raphe Weldon and his wife Elizabeth, 1595, aged 7 years, inscription only; (2) to
Katherine, daughter of Nicholas Bestney, 1609,
inscription with shield-of-arms; both formerly
in Lambe's Chapel, Monkwell Street; on E. wall,
(3) to Thomas Morley, 1566, inscription on moulded
and round-headed stone panel of late Gothic
character. In S. aisle—on E. wall, (4) of John
Orgone, 1584, and Ellyne his wife [1591], figures
of man in civil costume and wife, scrolls with
precepts, texts and merchant's mark on woolpack;
on floor, (5) to Sir Andrew Riccard [1672], inscription and achievement-of-arms on one plate; (6) to
George Shrader of Brunswick, 1605, two plates with
inscription and two shields-of-arms on rectangular
plates; on S. wall, (7) of Sir Richard Haddon,
1516, Lord Mayor, kneeling figures of two wives,
two sons and three daughters, scrolls, and five
shields-of-arms, (a) a man's leg cut off at the thigh
for Haddon, (b) Staple of Calais, (c) Mercers'
Company, (d) a cheveron between three lions, the two
in chief facing one another, with three roundels on
the cheveron, for Morland, (e) five roundels saltirewise
and a chief for Byfield quartering 2. a cheveron
ermined between three eagles' legs razed, 3. bendy and
4. a chief indented, figure of man, Trinity and inscription lost; at W. end of aisle, indent of rectangular
plate, three shields and marginal inscription.
Chairs: two with pierced and carved backs,
turned legs and shaped rails, late 17th-century.
Communion Rails: with carved and twisted
balusters, panelled standards with festoons, cherub-heads and crouching lions at feet, deep top rail
with frieze carved with swags and drapery, late
17th-century, not in situ. Doors: In N. doorway
—of two panelled leaves with iron lion's-head
knocker; in S. doorway—similar but without
knocker and panels nail-studded, both late 17th-century. In doorway to S. vestry—of nail-studded battens with moulded frame and plain
strap-hinges, probably 15th-century. Font: octagonal bowl of marble of ovolo-section, wooden
baluster stem, c. 1680; cover, of oak and of ogee
form with raised mouldings and ball-top, same
date. Gallery: At W. end of nave—front with
raised panels and divided into bays by panelled
standards, moulded capping and base, on two
panels the royal initials W.M.R. with crown and
palms, late 17th-century. Over gallery-front, two
wrought-iron hat-stands from All Hallows Staining.
Monuments and Floor-slabs, Monuments: In
chancel—on E. wall, (1) to Ludolph von Werder,
1628, marble tablet (Plate 27) flanked by Composite columns with entablature, segmental pediment and achievement-of-arms; (2) to Jane (Hoste)
wife of Mathew Humberstone, 1694, and her husband, 1709, oval cartouche of marble, with enriched
border, cherub-heads and achievement-of-arms;
on N.E. respond, (3) of Andrew, 1610, and Paul
Bayninge, 1616, double wall-monument of painted
marble facing S. and W., each part consisting of
recess flanked by pilasters and containing the
kneeling figure of a man in civil costume, Corinthian columns at sides, entablature and achievement-of-arms; on N. wall above (3), (4) of Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Pepys, 1669, marble wall-monument, said to be by John Bushnell, with bust
of lady in oval recess, with cherub-heads at sides
and reeded shelf below, apron with scroll-work and
shield-of-arms; on S. wall, (5) of Anne [Benolt]
wife of Sir John Radcliffe [1585], probably part of
monument (9), kneeling figure of woman (Plate 21)
before a prayer-desk, in round-headed recess; (6) to
Jeffery Kerby, 1632, and Susan, his daughter, 1634,
black marble tablet with Corinthian side-columns,
entablature and six shields-of-arms; on S.E.
respond, (7) to Sir John Mennes, 1670–1, convex
marble tablet with Corinthian side columns,
entablature and broken pediment; on S. wall,
(8) of Elizabeth daughter of Sir William Gore,
1698, oval marble tablet with bust of lady, draped
cartouche below and shield-of-arms. In N. aisle—
on E. wall, (9) of Sir John Radcliffe, 1568, son of
Robert Earl of Sussex, effigy (Plate 20) of man
in armour, formerly recumbent but now placed upright in niche and legs broken off below the thighs;
further N. is set an achievement-of-arms of Radcliffe; on N. wall, (10) to Christopher James Elsenhaimer, 1618, marble tablet with elliptical head
flanked by Ionic columns with entablature, etc.;
(11) of Sir Andrew Riccard, 1672, stone and marble
pedestal with standing figure of man, set in
plastered recess with four-centred arch in a square
head; (12) to Alice (Walter), wife of Philipes Farewell, 1655, marble tablet with enriched and shaped
border and shield-of-arms; on S. wall, (13) to
Peter Cappone, 1582, marble wall-monument
with kneeling figure of man in armour, full-face,
hands (in prayer) now missing, in niche flanked by
Corinthian columns, supporting entablature and
pediment with achievement-of-arms; on W. wall,
(14) to Mary (Ford) wife of Thomas Bewley, 1658–9,
marble tablet (Plate 27) with rounded head, entablature, Ionic pilasters, urn and swags, below tablet
a shelf with pediment and cartouche-of-arms; (15)
to William Frithe, 1648, marble tablet with side
pilasters, entablature and angular broken pediment
with cartouche-of-arms; (16) to Jordan Tancred,
[1702], chaplain to the Duke of Leeds, also William
Holland, Rector of All Hallows Staining, and
Elizabeth his wife, 1699, plain black marble tablet
in white marble frame with apron, cornice and
scrolled pediment; (17) to Emm, wife of Robert
Charlton, 1622, small marble tablet (Plate 25)
with side pilasters, two shields-of-arms and capping
with skull and hour-glass; monuments (14–17)
from All Hallows Staining. In S. aisle—in N.E.
angle, (18) of Peter Turner, M.D., 1614, marble
wall-monument with bust of man in round-headed
niche with semi-domical vault, flanked by panelled
pilasters with entablature and cornice; on E. wall,
(19) to William Turner, M.D., 1568, plain inscribed
tablet in moulded frame; on S. wall, (20) of Sir
James Deane, 1608, large marble wall-monument
(Plate 22) of three bays divided and flanked by
Corinthian columns supporting entablature; in
middle bay kneeling figure of man and wife; in
side bays, kneeling figures of two other wives,
achievement and three shields-of-arms. In tower
—on N. wall, (21) to Elizabeth, wife of Henry
Billingsley, 1577, tablet with Ionic side-columns,
broken pediment and shield-of-arms; (22) to
Mary, wife of Sir Richard Higham, 1634, tablet
with bust of woman, two cherubs and two shields-of-arms; (23) to David Doeringk, 1636, tablet
with ornamental border and shield-of-arms; monuments (21–23) from St. Katharine Coleman. Floor-slabs: In nave—(1) to John Newton, 1697, and
Martha, his wife, 171–, with defaced shield-of-arms; (2) to John Beare, 1696, and Dousabell his
wife, 1688, with shield-of-arms; (3) to the Rev.
Daniel Mills, 1683; (4) to Henry Davy, 1672. In
N. aisle—(5) to "Mr." Sansom, 1705, and his wife
Ann, 1719, with shield-of-arms; (6) to John B . . .,
c. 1680, common-crier; (7) slab with the arms of
Cappone. In S. aisle—(8) to Frances Fairborn,
1677, with defaced shield-of-arms. Painting:
In vestry—over fireplace, panel in chiaroscuro,
of Faith, Hope and Charity, late 17th-century.
Panelling: In chancel—on side walls and responds
and adjoining walls of chapels, panelled wainscot
with carved friezes and moulded capping. In
vestry—plain panelling round walls with cornice,
fireplace flanked by panelled pilasters supporting
entablature; overmantel with painted panel
flanked by panelled pilasters and surmounted by
entablature, late 17th-century. Plaster-work: In
vestry—ceiling with large oval panel in middle
surrounded by a bay-wreath and enclosing figure
of angel with book and palm, spandrel-panels each
with cherub-head, late 17th-century. Plate (Plate
30): includes two cups with enriched stems and
bases, probably of the second half of the 16th century; one has a bell-shaped bowl, perhaps of the
18th century, incised with eagles, etc., and ornamented with embossed lions' heads; the other bowl
is similar but has had its rim repaired in modern
times and the hall-marks obliterated; hexagonal
paten of 1612 on baluster-stem with an enriched
base; flagon of 1607, given in 1608; similar flagon
of 1692, given in the same year by Sir Richard
Beach, Commissioner of the Navy; dish of 1691,
given in 1694; large dish with gadrooned edge
and a central boss with the Royal Arms and letters
C.R., late 17th-century, copper-gilt, from All
Hallows Staining; spoon with half the bowl
perforated, probably 17th-century. Pulpit: from
St. Benet Gracechurch Street, of oak, hexagonal
with enriched cornice and base, each face with
enriched and inlaid panel with rich festoons at
sides and cherub-head and swags above; sounding-board with moulded cornice and inlaid soffit, late
17th-century. Rainwater-head: On N. wall, with
date 1693 and letters S.O.H. Royal Arms: On
W. gallery—of William III, in carved oak. Seating: modern pews partly made up of old panelling,
three on N. and one on the S. have carved panels,
refixed; modern quire-stalls incorporate plain
and carved and pierced panels; also old panels,
etc., incorporated in credence, all late 17th-century.
In the churchyard facing Seething Lane is a
stone gateway flanked by pilasters with moulded
necking and imposts, round arch with plain key-block and sunk spandrels; outside the pilasters
are heavy eared architraves and the whole is
surmounted by an entablature with a segmental
pediment and chevaux-de-frize; in the tympanum
and flanking the pediment are skulls and on the
frieze is the inscription "Christus vivere mors
mihi lucrum," and apparently the remains of a
date, Apr 16—.
Condition—Good.
(3) Parish Church of St. Dunstan in the
East stands between Idol Lane and St. Dunstan's
Hill. The tower is faced with Portland stone.
The old church was partly destroyed in the Great
Fire of 1666, and repaired or re-built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1670–71 partly in the Gothic style
at a cost of £1,075 18s. 2d.; the tower was re-built
in 1698. The church, except the tower, was
entirely re-built in 1817–18.
The tower is a remarkable example of Wren's
conception of Gothic and is modelled on the tower
of St. Nicholas, Newcastle.
Architectural Description— The West Tower
(Plate 146) is of four stages surmounted by a stone
spire. The ground-stage has in the E. and N. walls
a doorway with a two-centred head enclosing a segmental arch and vertical blind tracery; there are
similar doorways, with open tracery, in the S. and
W. walls with moulded labels and crockets. This
stage is round internally (13¼ ft. diam.) and has a
plaster dome springing from a moulded cornice;
the dome has enriched panels and a round bell-way
in the middle. Between the ground and second
stages, externally, is a broad band moulded above
and below and with a blank tablet in the middle of
the S. side. The second stage has in the N., S.
and W. walls a window of three lights with vertical
tracery in a two-centred head. The short third
stage is marked by string-courses and has in the N.
and S. faces a square clock-panel with a moulded
frame, the sill of which has small scrolled brackets;
the similar panels in the E. and W. faces contain
octofoiled circular windows. The bell-chamber
has a semi-octagonal projection at each angle,
resting on the diagonal buttresses of the stages
below; in each wall of the stage is a tall window of
three trefoiled lights with cusped tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded label. The tower is
finished with a moulded cornice and an embattled
parapet with blind tracery and gabled merlons
and tall panelled turrets and pinnacles at the
angles; there is a small square pinnacle with
crockets in the middle of each side. The stone
spire rests on four open arches springing from the
base of the four turrets and meeting in the middle;
over each junction is a carved and crocketed enrichment; the spire itself is octagonal and has in each
face an opening of two transomed lights with a
gabled and crocketed label.
Fittings—Bells: eight; 3rd, 4th, 5th and
8th by Abraham Rudhall, 1700. Doors: In S.
and W. doorways of tower, double doors, with
bolection-moulded panels, foliage carving in top
panels, concave heads with iron spikes. In N. and
E. (inner) doorways similar but plainer doors with
round heads. Inscription: On E. reveal of doorway to turret-staircase of tower—name and
date, P. P. Clark, 1695. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—On S. wall,
(1) to Bernard Hyde, 1630, Anna (Walcot) his wife,
1640, also to Bernard Hyde, 1655, and Hester
(Trott) his wife, 1649, and Bernard their son, 1674,
black marble tablet with white frame, scrolls,
broken pediment, cartouche and two shields-of-arms. In N. aisle—on S. wall, (2) to Susanna,
wife of Edward Gourney, 1675–6, Edward Gourney,
1703, Susanna their daughter, three grandchildren
and to Ann Rickards another daughter, 1714, oval
white marble tablet with wreath and cartouche-of-arms, with cherub-head below; on E. wall, (3) to
William Paggen, 1689–90, white marble tablet with
twisted Composite columns on carved consoles,
scrolls, entablature with cherub-head, broken
segmental pediment, cartouche-of-arms, framed inscription with two skulls above it; on N. wall, (4)
to Sir John Moore, former Lord Mayor, 1702, white
marble monument (Plate 25), flanked by twisted
Composite columns and cherub-heads, entablature
and segmental pediment with weeping cherubs and
achievement-of-arms; enclosure of wrought-iron
strikes with enriched rail; (5) to Mary, wife of Sir
John Moore, 1690, black and white marble tablet
flanked by black Composite columns supporting
entablature, broken pediment and cartouche-of-arms, cherub-heads on apron and at head of
inscription; (6) to Robert Russell, 1662, Lady
Elizabeth his wife, afterwards wife of Sir Richard
Waterman, 1675, and Kenrick their son, 1670,
black marble tablet flanked by black Corinthian
columns on brackets carved with lions' masks and
supporting white marble entablature, broken
pediment and cherubs, two cartouches-of-arms;
(7) to Richard Hale, 1620, late 17th-century black
and white marble tablet, flanked by Corinthian
columns, cornice with key-block having carved
pediment above, and cherub-head below cartouche
and apron with lozenge-of-arms; (8) to John
Garett, 1683, doctor of medicine, convex white
marble tablet flanked by twisted Composite
columns supporting entablature on which is winged
cherub-head and with broken pediment and
cartouche-of-arms, carved base-mould with cherub-head. In S. aisle—on E. wall, (9) to Richard
Meynell, 1683, white marble tablet with scrolls and
palm-leaves at sides, segmental pediment and
cartouche-of-arms; on N. wall, E. of respond,
(10) to James Burkin, 1677, and Jane (Lethieullier)
his wife, 1675, white marble draped and curved
tablet, flanked by small male figures of soldiers and
surmounted by a cornice, broken pediment with
swag, two small figures of Death and a woman
embracing on pedestal above pediment, flanked by
cherubs holding a swag; on apron a cartouche-of-arms and military trophies in base; on S. wall,
(11) to Sir Peter Parravicin, 1696–7, and his
daughter Mary, 1725, large marble oval cartouche
with scrolls, palms, flowers, drapery, etc., cartouche
of-arms; on apron, blank shield and cherubs;
(12) of Sir William Russell, 1705, and Susanna
(Palmer) his first wife, 1683, combined altar-tomb and wall-monument (Plate 20), designed by
Caius Cibber, panelled white marble altar-tomb
with reclining effigy in full wig, standing cherub
at head and feet of figure, draped black marble
back-piece with three cherub-heads in clouds
at head of piece, cornice on which are two
skulls and achievement-of-arms. Floor-slabs: In
chancel—(1) to Francis March, 1697, with shield
of-arms; (2) to Richard Bail, 1617, also . . . wife,
1654, with shield-of-arms; (3) to Alice . . . 1678,
also Richard . . ., with shield-of-arms; (4) to
Abraham Beake, 1710; (5) to James Young, 1638,
Anne (Bail) his wife, 1666, and his eldest son,
James, 1710, with shield-of-arms; (6) to William
Pitts, 1676, Alice his daughter, 1686, and Stephen
his brother, 1688. In nave—(7) to Elizabeth, wife
of Peter Joye, 1681, Peter their son, 1680, and Peter
Joye, 1720, with shield-of-arms; (8) to Martha,
wife of Richard Nicoll, 1684, and Richard Nicoll,
1718, with shield-of-arms; (9) to Densie Alleyne,
1712–3, and others later; (10) to Mary wife of
Samuel Oldham, 1714, and others later; (11) to
Mary (Belitha) wife of Edward Colman, 1693–4,
with shield-of-arms; (12) to Charles Platt, 1711,
and others later. In N. aisle—(13) to Mary Evans,
1710. In S. aisle—(14) to Thomas 1698, Thomas,
1699, and Martha and Margaretta, 1706, all infant
children of Thomas and Elizabeth Hammond, and
Charles Hammond, M.A., their uncle, 1700–1, with
shield-of-arms; (15) to Sir Peter Parravicin, 1696,
and Mary his daughter, 1725. Plate: includes
two flagons of 1628, dated the same year, and
alms-dish, silver gilt, of 1627, given 1628. Miscellanea: In vestry—carved arms of Archbishop
Tenison (1695–1715). An organ by Father
Schmidt, formerly in this church, is now in St.
Alban's Cathedral.
Condition—Of tower, good.
(4) Crypt formerly under Lambe's Chapel,
Monkwell Street, and now reconstructed under S.
side of the churchyard of All Hallows Staining.
The crypt is of mid 12th-century date and is said
to have formed part of the buildings of the Hermitage of St. James on the Wall; it now consists
only of two bays (20½ ft. by 11 ft.) but was formerly
larger. The moulded ribs of the vault are enriched
with cheveron-ornament and spring from low
responds, most of which are modern, but one capital
with a square abacus and one base appear to be
original.
Condition—Fairly good.
Secular
(5) Clothworkers' Hall (parish of St. Dunstan
in the East) stands on the E. side of Mincing Lane
and was entirely re-built in 1860. It contains the
following fittings from the old hall: In the Hall—
two wooden figures (Plate 46) of James I and
Charles I, gilt, 1679. In the Vestibule—carved
and gilt wooden figure (Plate 47) of a ram from
the Company's barge, also a sword-rest (Plate 44)
of 1677 of carved wood, bearing the royal Stuart
arms within a Garter, at the head, and the Company's arms and crest at the base and the City
arms and the shield of Sir Francis Chaplin at the
sides. In the annexe to the Court Parlour—seven
shields in glass with the following arms (Plate 224)
—Sir Joseph Williamson Kt., 1676, Sir Francis
Chaplin, 1668, Michail Davison, 1669, Samuel
Pepys, 1677, Sir John Robinson, Lord Mayor,
1663, Sir William Peake Kt., sheriff, 1659, and Sir
Dennis Gawden Kt., Lord Mayor and master of the
company, 1667; carved cartouche, with modern
royal arms, late 17th-century.
(6) House (No. 34) on S. side of Great Tower
Street, 50 yards S.W. of All Hallows Barking, is of
three storeys with cellars and attics; the walls
are of brick and the roofs are tiled. It was built
c. 1670. The house stands back from the street
and on the S. side of a small courtyard. The N.
front (Plate 151) is symmetrically arranged with
brick bands between the storeys and a modillioned
eaves-cornice; the windows have flush frames and
flat arches, but the sashes are not original. In the
roof are three dormer-windows. The ground-floor
has pilasters and framing, probably of the 18th-century. Interior—The rooms on the first floor
are lined with original panelling and finished with
a cornice or entablature; the fireplace in the E.
front room has a marble slip and is flanked by
panelled pilasters carved with festoons and supporting a rich entablature with a shaped panel in
the middle; the frieze has scrolled acanthus-ornament and above the pilasters are carved
eagles. The front room on the second floor has
panelling similar to that in the room below; the
fireplace has panelled pilasters and a moulded
cornice; the ceiling-beams are moulded and
panelled. In one of the back rooms is a fireplace
with an eared architrave, pulvinated frieze and
moulded cornice. The staircase (Plate 40) from
the second floor to the attics is original and has
moulded rail and straight string, turned and twisted
balusters and square newels.
Condition—Good.
(7) House, No. 8 Hart Street, formerly the
Rectory, W. of St. Olave's Church, is of three
storeys and basement. The walls are of brick, and
the roofs are covered with slates. It is of 17th-century or earlier date, but has been much altered.
The N. front is of the 18th century, but the E. side
wall is probably of the 17th century. The basement contains some early 17th-century brickwork
including a niche, and in the S. wall is a blocked
pointed doorway which formerly opened into the
nave of the church. It is concealed by panelling
in the church, but appears to be mediæval. The
stairs to the basement have some re-used early
17th-century panelling. The staircase from the
ground-floor to the third floor is of the well type and
is of early 18th-century date. It has turned and
twisted balusters and newels, moulded handrails
which are carried over as cappings to the newels,
cut strings with foliage-brackets and a carved
string to one of the landings.
Condition—Good.
(8) House No. 33, on the W. side of Mark Lane,
70 yards N. of Great Tower Street, is of three
storeys with attics and cellars. The walls are of
brick with some stone dressings; the roofs are
covered with slates. It was built early in the
18th century and is of a modified L-shaped plan
with the wings extending towards the N. and W.
The E. front is divided into three bays by brick
Corinthian pilasters with stone bases and capitals,
supporting an enriched entablature at the level of
the second floor; the southernmost pilaster is
rusticated, but the corresponding pilaster at the
N. end has been re-built. Above the main cornice
the wall to the third floor is divided into bays
corresponding to those below, by plain brick
pilasters which support a moulded brick band, and
the parapet above is similarly divided. The
windows are symmetrically arranged and have
rubbed brick arches, and the middle window on
each floor has a stone key carved with an ox's
or goat's head. The central doorway (Plate 158)
is square-headed with a moulded architrave
scrolled over the head; it is flanked by fluted
Composite columns supporting entablatures and a
shaped pediment on cherub-heads; the soffit of the
pediment is ogee-shaped, and in the tympanum is
a carved cartouche surrounded by four amorini,
flowers and fruit. The back elevation of the
main block is divided into bays as on the front
elevation, but the principal pilasters have no caps
and terminate against a deep stuccoed string-course. The doorway is square-headed and has a
moulded and enriched wood architrave raised
over the middle of the head against a block carved
with a lion's head; it is flanked by fluted Corinthian pilasters standing on panelled pedestals and
supporting an entablature with carved cherub-heads on the frieze and enriched carving of fruit
and flowers over the doorway. Projecting from
the S. end of the front is the W. wing, which is of
two storeys with attics. The N. elevation of this
wing has on the first floor a range of square-headed windows with flat rubbed brick arches and
a wooden modillioned eaves-cornice. Inside the
building, on the ground floor, the back Hall, in
the main building, is lined with panelling, surmounted by an enriched cornice. The E. wall
is divided into two bays by a panelled pilaster.
In the northern bay, opening into the entrance
passage, is a round-headed archway with panelled
soffit, moulded and enriched archivolts with a key-block carved with a man's head; the arch springs
from panelled pilasters. The S. bay has a similar
but smaller arch which is without a key-block. In
the S. wall is a similar archway leading to the staircase-hall but springing from detached Corinthian
columns. The staircase-hall at the E. end of the
W. wing has in the E. wall an arched opening
uniform with the archway between the back hall
and entrance passage. In the corresponding
position in the W. wall is a doorway with a moulded
architrave curved upwards in the middle of the
head and enclosing a carved enrichment of shells,
pomegranates, etc., and flanked by fluted Ionic
pilasters supporting an enriched entablature;
the N. wall is panelled. The staircase rises to the
first floor in three flights and has a moulded handrail, cut string with carved brackets under the
returned nosings of the treads, turned and twisted
balusters of varying design, and newels in the form
of twisted Corinthian columns with enriched drums.
Against the walls is a panelled dado divided at
intervals by half-newels. Above the first floor the
staircase is of simpler design, the brackets on the
string being plain and the newels plain Doric
columns. On the first floor, the room in the W.
wing retains some panelling with moulded cornice,
skirting and dado-rail. The fireplace is modern
but is flanked by two Corinthian pilasters which
are panelled and enriched with carved festoons of
flowers, hops, wheat-ears, etc., suspended from
bows of ribbons. There are two similar pilasters
flanking a panel on the opposite or N. wall of the
room. The screen-wall on the S. side of the
entrance courtyard to the building is of early
18th-century brickwork and is divided into bays
by pilasters with moulded caps, the mouldings of
which are returned along the wall as a cornice.
Above the cornice is a panelled brick parapet.
Immediately below the cornice in each bay is a
sunk oval panel below which is a segmental-headed recess. The former entrance-doorway to
the courtyard is now in the Victoria and Albert
Museum, South Kensington.
Condition—Good.