22. CHESHAM BOIS.
(O.S. 6 in. xliii. N.W.)
Ecclesiastical
(1). Parish Church of St. Leonard, stands
on high ground E. of Chesham. The walls are
of flint and the dressings of clunch and modern
stone; the roofs are tiled. The church appears
to have been built c. 1360, and then consisted
of an undivided Chancel and Nave; in 1884 the
North Aisle and South West Tower (porch) were
added, the N. windows of the nave re-set in the
aisle, and the rest of the building was restored,
the stonework of all the windows being partly
renewed. The North Vestry is also modern.
Architectural Description—The Chancel
(20 ft. by 14½ ft.) has an E. window of three
pointed lights, almost entirely modern. In
the N. wall are two 14th-century windows,
partly restored, and each of two trefoiled lights
and a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a
moulded label; the eastern window is blocked.
In the S. wall are two windows similar to
those in the N. wall. The chancel arch is
modern. The Vestry is modern, but in the
E. wall is a 14th-century window similar to
the others, re-set, probably from the chancel.
The Nave (38½ ft. by 14½ ft.) has a modern
N. arcade of five bays. In the S. wall are
three windows, resembling those in the chancel, and a modern doorway. The 15th-century W. window is of three cinque-foiled lights
under a four-centred head. The North Aisle
is modern, but has the 14th-century windows
of the nave, three re-set in the N. wall and
one in the W. wall; they are similar to those
in the chancel. The Roof of the chancel is probably of the 15th century and has four moulded
arched trusses, with longitudinal ribs and
curved wind-braces; the trusses rest on stone
corbels carved as heads, and angels with shields,
all covered with modern paint; the timbers are
also painted and there is a modern deal-boarded
ceiling. The roof of the nave is similar to that
of the chancel, and has carved stone corbels.
Fittings—Bells: three; 1st undated, 3rd by
John Kebyll, inscribed, 'Sancte Andrea Ora Pro
Nobis', probably early 15th-century. Brasses:
in the chancel—(1) of Elizabeth, wife of Robert
Cheyne, 1516, figure in pedimental head-dress
and loose gown, standing on mound, with inscription; on her right side, of Robert Cheyne,
1552, figure in armour of curious form, of early
type for the date, standing on mound, inscription below that of Elizabeth, four shields of
arms; half hidden by organ platform, (2) to
Wenefride, daughter of Lord Mordante, and
wife of John Cheyne, 1562, inscription only;
(3) of Benedict, son of Roger Lee, c. 1520, small
figure of chrisom child. Chair: in chancel,
back of priest's seat, formed of 17th-century
panelled oak. Communion Table: probably
late 17th-century. Communion Rails: with
twisted balusters, probably mid 17th-century.
Glass: in E. window, some quarries with
flowers, etc., probably 14th-century; six shields
with arms of Cheyne, checky or and azure, a
fesse gules fretty argent; a seventh shield
charged, or three bends azure a quarter ermine
for Fitz Otes; an eighth shield charged argent,
a bend sable with three roses argent thereon
impaling or three piles azure, probably 15th-century. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—in N.E. corner, (1) of John
Cheyne, 1585, altar tomb with slab of Purbeck
marble, sides of clunch, having shields, one in
a garter, others in wreaths, middle shield on S.
side with the Cheyne arms, others with various
quarterings, above tomb, tablet with inscription, the Cheyne arms and crest of a boar's head
with collar and chain. In the churchyard—(2)
high tomb to Jane and Ellen, daughters of
Philip Henslow, 1698 and 1708. Floor-slabs:
in chancel—(1) to Mrs. Anne Cheney, 1630;
under communion table, (2) to Francis Cheyne,
1644; partly covered by communion rails, (3)
to Lucie, wife of—by Tyrrell, and formerly
wife of William Cheyne, 1691; (4) to Anne
Gilmore, 1682. Pulpit: hexagonal, carved
panels, canopy placed upside down on floor, to
form base, 17th-century. Seats: in chancel,
two, with moulded standards, 15th-century,
heads partly cut off and covered with modern
caps. Tiles: in front of communion table, a
few. Miscellanea: near the pulpit, hour-glass
stand, of iron.
Condition—The N. aisle is damp, and the
buttresses along the N. wall, although modern,
are in a very bad condition. The stonework of
the N.E. window is badly weathered and the
plinth of the aisle much perished. Rest of the
church, good. (fn. 1)
Secular
(2). Ivy House Farm, about 2/3 mile E. by
S.E. of the church, on the S. side of the road
to Chesham, is of two storeys; the upper storey
is timber-framed with rough-cast filling, and
projects at the N. end beyond the lower storey,
which is restored with modern brick. The roof
is tiled. The house was built early in the 17th
century, enlarged and restored in the 19th century. The plan is rectangular, facing E., with
a central chimney stack. On the ground floor
the rooms have open timber ceilings, and there
is one large open fireplace.
Condition—Good.
(3). Bois Farm, house and barns, about
5/8 mile W. of the church. The House is of two
storeys, and consists of a rectangular block,
facing S., built in the first half of the 17th
century, and originally extending further
towards the W., modern additions have been
made at the back and at the W. end. The
original timber and brick remain at the E. end;
the S. front is of early 18th-century brick. The
roofs are tiled. The large chimney stack at the
W. end of the original part of the house has
square shafts built of thin bricks. Interior:—
On the ground floor the ceilings have beams
and exposed joists, and there are two wide fireplaces, one partly blocked and the other hidden
by the modern W. addition. On the first floor
the timber construction is visible in the walls
and roof; the floor boards are original. The
Barn, E. of the house, is timber-framed and
weather-boarded, except the N. wall, which has
original brick filling. It is built with an aisle
on the N. side; the roof has large trusses with
tie-beams and curved brackets. The second
Barn, S.W. of the house, is similar to the other,
but has a base of thin bricks on the W. side;
they are both of the same date as the house.
The roofs are tiled.
Condition—Good.