8. BIERTON with BROUGHTON.
(O.S. 6 in. (a)xxviii. S.E. (b)xxix. S.W.)
Ecclesiastical
a(1). Parish Church of St. James, in the
middle of the village, on the S. side of the road,
is built of limestone rubble, covered with
rough-cast. The roofs are of lead, except that
of the chancel, which is covered with slate.
The church is of cruciform plan, and was built
early in the 14th century. The Chancel and
Central Tower, which are the earliest parts, are
deflected slightly towards the N. from the axis
of the nave, possibly indicating the existence of
a former building, of which no trace remains in
the fabric, but there is a 12th-century font. The
Nave and North and South Aisles appear to
have been completed before the Transepts.
Late in the 15th or early in the 16th century
flat roofs took the place of the former high-pitched roofs; the N. and S. walls of the aisles
were heightened, and clearstorey windows were
inserted in them; other windows were altered
in the 15th and 17th centuries. The 15th-century embattled parapets of the transepts, of an
earlier date than the clearstorey windows, have
been destroyed, except a part that has been
enclosed at the E. end of the N. aisle. The
plan remains entirely unaltered, except by the
addition of a modern North Porch. The whole
building was restored in 1853, many of the
windows were repaired externally with cement,
and the roofs of the chancel and transepts
renewed.
The Church, Plan
Reproduced by permission of the Victoria County Histories.
The church is a good example of 14th-century architecture, and the carved doorways in
the S. transept are especially worthy of note.
The paten is a rare and valuable survival of
14th-century church plate.
Architectural Description—The Chancel
(30 ft. by 17½ ft.) has a 15th-century E. window, restored externally, of four cinque-foiled
lights and tracery under a four-centred head;
the pointed segmental rear arch is chamfered;
surrounding the present window inside is the
outline of a larger 14th-century window with an
inner edge-roll which has moulded bases and
capitals, now much defaced; below it is a 14th-century moulded string-course, and on each
side a niche (see Fittings). In the N. wall is
an early 14th-century window of two trefoiled
ogee lights and tracery under a two-centred
head and a moulded internal label with headstops; the external jambs, head and label are
moulded, and restored; in the S. wall is a
similar window, with a modern internal ledge
and restored external stonework. The Central
Tower (13½ ft. square) is of two stages above the
roof of the nave, with a plain modern parapet
and small spire; the 14th-century corbel table
has grotesque heads, and a gargoyle on the S.
side. On each face of the lower stage are the
weather-courses of the former roofs; those of
the chancel and S. transept were little higher
than the present roofs; those of the nave and
N. transept were steep-pitched; below the outline of the original roof on the W. wall is a
round-headed doorway, opening on to the present roof. The four tower arches, all of the 14th
century, are two-centred and of three moulded
orders; the jambs have clustered shafts,
moulded bases and bell-capitals; the W. arch
has a moulded label in the nave. In the
S. wall is a small trefoiled single light of the
14th century, much repaired with cement. The
bell-chamber has, in the E., S. and W. walls
wide lancet windows, repaired with cement;
the N. window is blocked and covered by the
modern clock, and is also repaired with cement.
The North Transept (17 ft. by 16½ ft.) has, in
the N. wall, a 15th-century window of three
cinque-foiled pointed lights with pierced spandrels in a pointed segmental head; the rear arch
is chamfered. In the W. wall the 14th-century
arch, opening into the N. aisle, is two-centred
and of two chamfered orders; the small halfoctagonal shafts have moulded bases and bell-capitals. The South Transept (17 ft. square)
has, at the N. end of the E. wall, a 14th-century doorway opening into the stair-turret of
the tower, with a moulded trefoiled ogee arch
and a moulded label with head-stops and
elaborately carved crockets; the finial is of
modern cement, and some of the crockets are
broken; the S. wall of the tower has been partly
cut away for the label. In the S. wall, in
the middle, is a window of three cinque-foiled
pointed lights; the moulded jambs are of the
14th century, the tracery and pointed segmental head are chamfered, and of the 15th
century, all much repaired externally with
cement; the label has been cut away; the S.
doorway, at the E. end of the wall, is modern
externally, and has a wood frame internally;
it is an adaptation of a 14th-century piscina or
sedile, with the jambs carried down to the
floor; the cinque-foiled ogee head has a label
with carved crockets and finial; on each side
are square pilasters with shallow trefoiled
panels and plain caps; the inner half of the
soffit of the arch is vaulted, and has a central
boss carved as a rose; the string-course of the
S. wall is carried round the necking of the
finial, which has been broken. In the W. wall
the arch opening into the aisle is similar to that
in the N. transept. The Nave (52½ ft. by
17½ ft.) has 14th-century N. and S. arcades of
four bays; the piers are square, with four
half-round attached shafts and moulded angles;
the bases and bell-capitals are moulded; the
two-centred arches are of two orders, more
elaborately moulded than the tower arches,
and have moulded labels in the nave, with
grotesque head-stops at the E. end; at the apex
of the westernmost arch of each arcade is a boss
carved as a grotesque head; some of the bases
have been cut back for seats, etc. The 14th-century W. doorway, much repaired externally
with cement, has elaborately moulded jambs
and two-centred arch, with a moulded external
label, and pointed segmental rear arch; over
the doorway outside is a 14th-century moulded
string-course; the W. window was inserted in
the 15th century, and is of four cinque-foiled
lights with tracery under a four-centred head.
The North Aisle (7 ft. wide) has, in the E. wall,
high up, part of the 15th-century string-course
and embattled parapet of the N. transept,
enclosed when the aisles were heightened. In
the N. wall are two early 14th-century windows,
each originally of three trefoiled ogee lights
and tracery under a two-centred head with
external and internal labels; the western window is intact; the eastern window retains traces
of the original tracery only in the head of the
central light; mullions and transoms were inserted in the 16th or 17th century; the inner
edges of the jambs are moulded: the 14th-century N. doorway has moulded jambs and two-centred arch, with a moulded external label,
and a chamfered segmental rear arch: the three
W. windows of the clearstorey are each of two
cinque-foiled pointed lights under a square
head, of late 15th or early 16th-century date.
The South Aisle (7 ft. wide) has, in the S. wall,
two early 14th-century windows, each of two
lights, similar to the N. and S. windows of the
chancel; the jambs have plain edges, and
the external label of the western window is
missing; the eastern window no longer retains
the tracery, and has modern mullions and
transoms: the S. doorway is blocked, but
the outline is visible outside, with traces of
moulded jambs and two-centred arch, without
a label: the three windows of the clearstorey
are each of two four-centred lights under a
square head, with widely splayed internal
jambs; they are probably of a slightly later
date than the clearstorey windows in the N.
aisle. The low-pitched Roof of the nave is of
four bays, and has moulded tie-beams with
curved braces forming arches, moulded purlins,
ridge and principal rafters; the two eastern
bays, better finished and of slightly higher
pitch than the others, are probably of the 15th
century; the western bays are probably of the
16th or 17th century; the middle truss has plain
wood corbels, and the fourth truss has a wood
corbel on the S. side. The S. aisle has a flat
lean-to roof, of late 15th or early 16th-century
date, and of four double bays with moulded
beams and curved braces; some of the timbers
are missing at each end. The N. aisle retains
only the easternmost half-bay of a similar roof,
the rest is modern. Traces of the former steeppitched roofs remain in the E. wall of each aisle.
Fittings—Bells: six, modern, and sanctus
by Richard Chandler, 1678. Brackets: for
images, in S. transept, under modern niche,
moulded, with two roughly carved heads in
mail coifs, early 14th-century; on S. wall of S.
aisle, E. of S. doorway, plain, moulded, 15th-century. Brasses and Indents. Indents: In
N. aisle—near doorway, apparently of a man
and two women, 15th or 16th-century, much
worn. Chairs: in the chancel, two, the first
(see Plate, p. 300), with elaborately carved back,
large panel, arabesque border, Tudor roses,
arms curved, c. 1600; the second, plainer
design, same date. Communion Table: in S.
transept, disused, with turned baluster legs,
fluted rail at the top, early 17th-century.
Doors: in N. doorway, and to turret staircase,
both plain, with plain strap-hinges, N. door
with stock lock, both possibly mediæval.
Easter Sepulchre: see Niches. Font: circular
bowl, tub-shaped, with cable mouldings, late
12th-century. Images: in N. wall of nave,
above arcade, block of stone carved with two
female figures, much defaced, possibly the
Virgin and St. Anne, early 14th-century.
Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In
chancel—on S. wall, (1) of Samuell Bosse, of
'Byrton', 1616, erected by Cæcily, his wife,
1626, kneeling figures of a man and woman, four
sons, three daughters, six infants in cradles,
inscription and three shields with arms, of redveined alabaster and slate, painted. Floor-slab:
in N. transept—incised, to Jane Gurney, 16—(?)
another, 18th-century. Niche: in chancel, on
each side of the E. window, with chamfered
cinque-foiled head, 14th-century: in N. wall of
chancel, with chamfered trefoiled head, possibly for Easter Sepulchre, 14th-century.
Paintings: on S. wall of S. aisle, man's head,
indented border, and other traces, late 16th-century. Piscina: in chancel, with shafted
jambs, pointed head, moulded label and cinquefoil bowl, 14th-century. Plate: includes paten
bearing the vernicle in a sunk quatrefoil, 14th-century. Tiles: on floor, in N. transept, tower,
nave and aisles, considerable number, 14th-century, much worn.
Condition—Good structurally, but somewhat
damp.
Secular
a(2). Homestead Moat and two Fishponds,
both now dry, S.W. of the church.
b(3). Homestead Moat, round the Manor
Farm.
Main street, N.W. side
a(4). The Red Lion Inn, opposite the church,
is of two storeys, built of brick and timber probably about the middle of the 17th century; the
roof is tiled. In the bar parlour is a wide,
open fireplace.
Condition—Good.
a(5). House, about 100 yards N. of the
church, is of two storeys, built of brick and
timber probably early in the 17th century, considerably restored and enlarged in the 19th
century. The roof is tiled. The central
chimney stack is original.
Condition—Good.
a(6). Outhouse, of modern cottage, 130 yards
N.E. of the church, nearly opposite the Crown
Inn, is of the 17th century; the walls are of
brick and timber, partly weather-boarded; the
roof is tiled.
Condition—Good.
a(7). Cottage, 200 yards N.E. of the church,
is of two storeys, built of brick and timber in
the 17th-century, and restored in the 19th century. One room has a stop-chamfered beam in
the ceiling.
Condition—Good.
a(8). House, 300 yards N.E. of the church, is
of two storeys, built early in the 17th century,
of closely-set timbers with brick filling, partly
re-faced with modern brick. The plan was
originally rectangular, but a modern wing has
been added, making the plan L-shaped. The
roof is thatched. One chimney stack is of old
thin bricks, partly restored. Inside the house
there is a large open fireplace and a chamfered
ceiling-beam with moulded stops.
Condition—Poor.
a(9). Cottage, nearly ½ mile N.E. of the
church, is of two storeys, the upper storey
partly in the roof, built in the 17th century;
the walls are of brick, and a little timber-framing shows in the gables at the ends of the building. The roof is tiled.
Condition—Fairly good.
b(10). Corner Farm, nearly ¾ mile N.E. of the
church, is a 17th-century building of two
storeys. It is of the central chimney type, with
gabled ends; the walls are of brick, and the
gables are timber-framed. The roof is tiled.
Condition—Fairly good.
S.E. side
a(11). Cottage, 800 yards N.E. of the church,
is of two storeys, built in the 17th century.
The walls are timber-framed, with filling partly
of plaster, partly of brick. The roof is
thatched.
Condition—Poor.
a(12). Cottage, now two tenements, S.W. of
(11), is of two storeys, built of brick and timber
in the 17th century, partly re-faced with brick
in the 18th century. The roof is tiled. Inside
the cottage is a wide, open fireplace and a
panelled door of early 17th-century date,
probably brought from elsewhere.
Condition—Poor.
a(13). Outhouse, of a modern cottage S.W.
of (12), is built of 17th-century brick and
timber; the roof is thatched.
Condition—Fairly good.
a(14). Cottage, at the cross-roads, 3/8 mile
N.E. of the church, is of two storeys, the upper
storey partly in the roof. It was built of brick
and timber late in the 17th century; the S.W.
front has been re-faced with modern brick.
The S.E. end has a projecting gable. The roof
is tiled.
Condition—Poor.
a(15). House, about ¼ mile N.E. of the
church, is of two storeys, built of brick probably early in the 17th century. The roof is
tiled. At one end is a modern addition, making
the plan L-shaped. The central chimney stack
is original.
Condition—Good.
a(16). Cottage, now two tenements, about
250 yards N.E. of the church, is of two storeys,
built in the 17th century of brick and timber,
partly re-faced with modern brick, and with a
modern addition at the E. end. The roof is
thatched. One room has an open fireplace with
the original chimney-corner seat, and in the
ceiling is a chamfered beam.
Condition—Good.
a(17). Cottage, now four tenements, at the
N.E. corner of the churchyard, is of two
storeys, built of timber and brick in the 17th
century, but partly re-fronted with modern
brick. The roof is tiled. In front are two
gabled dormer windows. The two chimney
stacks are of old thin bricks. Some of the rooms
have chamfered ceiling-beams and large, open
fireplaces.
Condition—Fairly good.
a(18). House, behind (17), is an early 17th-century building of two storeys. The walls are
timber-framed with brick filling, partly refaced with 18th-century brick; the roof is tiled.
The plan is L-shaped, and there is an old chimney stack. A large open fireplace remains,
now partly blocked, and one ceiling has a
chamfered beam.
Condition—Good.
a(19). Cottage, behind the school, S. of the
church, is of one storey and an attic. It was
built of brick and timber about the middle of
the 17th century, and has been partly re-faced
with brick; the roof is thatched. The chimney
stack is of old thin bricks.
Condition—Poor.
a(20). Cottage, now three tenements, opposite the Methodist Chapel, is an early 17th-century building of two storeys. The walls are
timber-framed, with brick filling, partly set in
herring-bone pattern; the front has been re-faced
with modern brick. The roof is thatched. The
central chimney stack is of old thin bricks. On
the ground floor the ceilings have chamfered
beams with brackets, and there is a wide open
fireplace.
Condition—Poor.
b(21). Cottage, on the W. side of the road to
Leighton, nearly ¾ mile N.E. of the church, is
of two storeys, the upper storey partly in the
roof, built late in the 17th century. The walls
are of brick, the gables at the ends are timber-framed. Some of the windows have old iron
casements, and there is a fragment of 17th-century panelling in one of the doors.
Condition—Fairly good.
Burcott
a(22). Farmhouse, about 700 yards E. of the
church, is of two storeys, the upper storey
partly in the roof, built of brick late in the 17th
century; the roof is tiled. The central chimney stack is of old thin bricks, and under it is a
wide, open fireplace.
Condition—Fairly good.
b(23). Cottage, opposite the farmhouse, is of
two storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof.
The walls are timber-framed with brick filling;
the roof is thatched. It was built early in the
17th century, and in one room a large moulded
beam, with broach stops, bears the date 1613.
Condition—Fairly good.
b(24). The Seven Stars Inn, at Broughton,
about a mile S.E. of the church, is of two
storeys, the upper storey partly in the roof. It
was built of brick and timber probably in the
middle of the 17th century, and has been partly
re-faced with modern brick. The roof is
thatched. One chimney stack is of old thin
bricks. On the ground floor is a large open
fireplace and one ceiling has a stop-chamfered
beam.
Condition—Fairly good.