23. CHILTON.
(O.S. 6 in. (a)xxvii. S.W. (b)xxxii. N.W.)
Ecclesiastical
b(1). Parish Church of St. Mary, stands N.
of the village, and is built of limestone, partly
ashlared, and partly in coursed and squared
rubble; the chancel is covered with rough-cast;
the dressings are of coarse limestone and clunch.
The roofs are covered with lead and with tiles.
The Chancel, with a S. chapel, and the South
Transept were built or re-built late in the 13th
century; there are traces of an earlier building
in the unusual thickness of the chancel arch,
which may indicate the former existence of a
central tower, and a small fragment of 12th-century work re-set in a doorway in the
S. transept. The Tower, of which the ground
stage forms a north transept, was added about
the middle of the 14th century, and late in the
15th century the Nave was widened, apparently
by destroying a S. arcade and including a S.
aisle which existed at that time; the depth of
the S. transept is a proof that a S. aisle existed
or was added when the transept was built in
the 13th century; the walls of the nave were
heightened also in the 15th century, and the
South Porch was built at the same time. In
the 16th century the present South Chapel was
built on the site of the late 13th-century chapel;
the nave was again heightened and the present
roof was added probably late in the 16th century. The building was generally restored
towards the end of the 19th century.
Chilton Church.
The church is unusually interesting on
account of the curious development of the plan.
Among the fittings the 13th-century effigy in
the E. wall of the nave, the 17th-century monument with fine alabaster effigies in the S. chapel,
and the 17th-century hour-glass stand are
especially worthy of note.
Architectural Description—The Chancel
(25½ ft. by 14 ft.) has a late 13th-century
E. window, of three sharply pointed, uncusped
lights, with pierced spandrels in a pointed
head; the external moulded label has mask
stops. In the N. wall are three original lancet
windows; the external jambs are chamfered,
and the internal frames rebated. In the S. wall,
opening into the chapel, is an arcade of two
bays, with obtuse four-centred arches of two
chamfered orders; the arches and the octagonal
central column, with moulded base and capital,
are of the 16th century; the responds are halfoctagonal, the E. respond with a base of late
13th or early 14th-century date, and a 16th-century capital, the W. respond with base and
capital both of the earlier date. The late 13th-century chancel arch is two-centred, and of
two chamfered orders; the abaci of the halfoctagonal responds have been re-cut, the bases
are of the 15th century, and the arch appears
to have been partly re-built at that date. The
South Chapel (25½ ft. by 15 ft.) has an early
16th-century E. window of three wide cinque-foiled lights under a four-centred head. In the
S. wall are two windows, closely resembling the
E. window, and a S. doorway, all of early 16th-century date; the S.E. window and the doorway are now blocked. At the S. end of
the W. wall, opening into the transept, is
a roughly worked round-headed arch. The
Nave (54½ ft. by 25½ ft.) has, in the E. wall,
above the chancel arch, traces of the
former steep-pitched roof, and, S. of the
arch, are traces possibly of the original
S. wall of the nave; lower in the wall is a 15th-century arched opening, with moulded jambs
and pointed head, possibly formerly the pulpit,
opening into a small passage leading to the
rood-stairs, of which both doorways remain, the
lower doorway S. of the arched opening, the
upper doorway next to the E. jamb of the transept arch. In the N. wall, W. of the tower arch,
are three late 15th-century windows, each of
three cinque-foiled lights with tracery in a
two-centred head; between the two eastern windows is a doorway of the same date, now
blocked. In the S. wall, W. of the transept
arch, are two late 15th-century windows, each
of three cinque-foiled lights with tracery and an
external label; the eastern window is two-centred the western four-centred; between
them is the S. doorway of the same date, with
continuously moulded jambs and two-centred
head, and another doorway opening into the
porch staircase. In the W. wall is a modern
window, and on each side of it are straight
joints, representing the jambs of the original
15th-century window; below the window,
visible externally, are traces of a doorway. The
North Transeptal Tower (12 ft. by 10 ft.) is of
two stages, with a plain parapet, heavy diagonal
buttresses at the N. angles, and a stair-turret,
carried above the parapet, in the angle between
the W. wall of the tower and the N. wall of the
nave. The mid 14th-century tower arch, opening into the nave, is two-centred, and of three
chamfered orders with an ogee moulded label
on each side; the heavy half-octagonal
responds have simple bases and capitals, which
appear to have been re-cut. The E. window
is of mid 14th-century date, and of three
trefoiled lights with flowing tracery in a two-centred head. In the N. wall is a window,
also original, of two trefoiled lights with
a quatrefoil in the two-centred head; below it is
a small doorway, of uncertain date, the jambs
and pointed head covered with plaster. In
the W. wall, opening into the stair-turret, is an
original doorway, with a pointed head. The
ringing-chamber and bell-chamber have small
trefoiled single lights. The South Transept
(15½ ft. by 13 ft.) has, in the E. wall, S. of the
arch opening into the chapel, a lancet window,
similar to those in the chancel, partly blocked,
and under it, partly cut off by the S. wall, a
small doorway of uncertain date, with a label
made up of 12th-century material. In the N.
wall is a late 15th-century arch, opening
into the nave; it is two-centred and of two
moulded orders, with a moulded label; the wide
jambs are of three chamfered and moulded
orders, with moulded capitals and bases. In
the S. wall is a large window of three lancet
lights with shafted internal jambs, probably of
late 13th-century date. The South Porch is of
two storeys, with diagonal buttresses, a plain
parapet and a quarter-octagonal stair-turret,
carried above the parapets of the porch and
nave. The two-centred entrance archway is
elaborately moulded and has a label with plain
shield stops, and a shield at the apex; above it
is a window of two cinque-foiled lights under a
two-centred head with external label and shield
stops; the label is carried up into the point of
the pedimental cornice, which is covered by a
much worn gargoyle. The ground stage has a
four-centred barrel-vaulted Roof forming five
panels, with cinque-foiled heads and foliated
spandrels, divided by moulded ribs and ridge.
The roof of the chancel is probably of the 15th
century, much restored; it is steep-pitched, and
originally of plain collar-beam and tie-beam
construction, the tie-beam replaced by modern
braces; the wall-plate is moulded. The roof of
the chapel is low-pitched, with a moulded and
mortised ridge, apparently of re-used 16th-century material. The nave has a low-pitched
roof, probably of late 16th-century date, much
restored, with plain, rough king-post trusses;
the wall-brackets are carried on head corbels,
apparently of the 15th century, re-set.
Fittings—Bells: three and sanctus; 2nd,
by Richard Keene, 1686, sanctus undated.
Brasses: In S. chapel—(1) to John Croke,
knight, Judge of the King's Bench, 1619, marginal inscription, and second inscription in
middle of slab; (2) to John Croke 'the ealder'
Master in Chancery, 1554, marginal inscription, and shield bearing a fesse between six
martlets, a crescent for difference, quartering a
fesse nebuly with six roundels thereon between
three rings; (3) to Sir John Croke, knight, 1608,
and Elizabeth, his wife [daughter of Sir]
[Alexan]der Unton, knight, 1611, marginal inscription, partly broken; see Monument (2);
(4) to Edward Croke, 1626, inscription and
shield bearing arms of Croke. Door: to the
stair-turret of the porch, with crude tracery,
late 15th-century. Font: octagonal cupshaped bowl, moulded circular stem and base,
all 15th-century, but base probably earlier than
bowl. Glass: in E. window of chapel, fragments, including initials P.C., 16th-century.
Locker: in N. wall of chancel, plain, rect
angular, rebated. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In nave—in E. wall, outside, above the roof of the chancel, (1) effigy of
knight, in chain mail, long loose surcoat, legs
crossed, late 13th-century. In S. chapel—on
S. side, (2) of Sir John Croke, 1608 (see Plate,
p. xxviii.), and Elizabeth, his wife 1611; altar
tomb in large semi-circular recess, with
elaborate architectural setting, Corinthian
pilasters, entablature and pediment, of white
and coloured marbles, two recumbent effigies,
the knight in armour and ruff, his wife in black
dress, kneeling figures of eight sons and three
daughters, two of the sons in judges' scarlet
robes; inscription on tablet at back, trophies of
arms on pilasters, round base eleven shields, one
over each son and daughter, all bearing arms
of Croke, alone, impaled, or impaling another
coat, above pediment, over highest shield,
helm with crest, two swans' heads rising
out of a crescent, figures and arms, etc.,
coloured; round the tomb original iron railings, with ornamental standards and uprights.
In S. transept—on E. wall, (3) of Elizabeth,
daughter of Sir John Croke, and wife of Sir
John Tyrell of Heron, knight, 1631, kneeling
figure, with chrisom child, in semi-circular
recess with Ionic pillars and pediment, of
marble, inscription, shield and lozenge, with
arms. Floor-slab: In chancel—to Jane, daughter of Moses Tryon, wife of John Croke, of
Chilton, 1636. Plate: includes cup with
cover, 1569, cover inscribed 'Chilton 1570'.
Screen (see also stalls): between chancel and
chapel, panels with traceried heads, carved
rail, moulded cornice, 16th-century, mullions
replaced by turned balusters, 17th-century.
Stalls: in chancel, made up of close panels
with traceried heads from a screen, and two
carved poppy-head bench-ends, all 16th-century. Stoup: on E. side of S. door, recess
with square head. Tiles: in floor of tower,
mediæval, much worn. Miscellanea: in S.
transept, under wood floor, two tapering,
ridged stone slabs, possibly coffin lids: on E.
wall of nave, hourglass stand, wrought iron,
mid 17th-century: on bracket in S. chapel,
funeral helm, made up of close helmet, late
15th or early 16th-century.
The Churchyard has an E. wall of old bricks,
with two doorways in it, one, now blocked, of
late 15th-century date, the other, with a four-centred head and a square label, of the 17th
century.
Condition—Good.
Secular
b(2). Chilton House, E. of the church, is a
large building of three storeys with cellars and
an attic, of red brick with stone dressings; the
roofs are tiled. It was built in the first half of
the 16th century, altered probably early in the
17th century, and almost entirely re-built c. 1740.
The house is an interesting example of an
18th-century alteration of a building of earlier
date.
The plan is now oblong, but appears to
have been originally of half-H or E shape, the
wings projecting towards the E.; few traces
of the original building remain, except in
the N. and S. walls and the cellars, which run
from N. to S. under the E half of the middle
part of the house, and possibly indicate the
position of the original hall and main block.
The 18th-century work includes new E. and
W. fronts, the filling up of the space between
the N. and S. wings and a complete alteration
of the interior.
Elevations:—The N. front is of red brick
with the remains of a diamond pattern in black
headers, and has been much patched; there are
traces of three blocked windows with stone
dressings, apparently original. Near the W.
end is an original chimney stack, of brick with
black headers in a diamond pattern; it has a
pointed niche in the base, and square shafts,
set diagonally, with engaged moulded caps; a
second stack is similar, but of early 17th-century date, and has no diamond pattern. The S.
front, which is similar in design to the N. front,
has been even more altered, but retains, on the
ground floor, an original doorway with stop-chamfered jambs and four-centred head; over
the doorway is an original window of four
lights with pointed heads, set in a square outer
order, moulded, and with a moulded label.
Interior:—The cellars have three or four-centred barrel vaulting in brick, apparently
original, and in the walls are some small
pointed niches. On the first floor, in a room
in the N.E. corner of the house, is an early
17th-century fireplace with moulded jambs and
four-centred head; on it are scratched several
contemporary inscriptions, one in French, but
all only partly legible. Three rooms at the S.
end of the house are lined with early 17th-century panelling, re-set. On the second floor, at
the S. end of the house, is a long narrow room
lined with 16th-century linen panelling, re-set.
Between the N. garden and the stable yard is
an old wall of stone rubble in which is set a
16th-century stone doorway with chamfered
jambs and four-centred head, and a label.
There is a similar doorway, now blocked, in the
W. wall of the garden, and near it is a 17th-century doorway; both open into the churchyard (see Parish Church). In the N. wall of
the garden is a 17th-century doorway with a
square head.
Condition—Very good; much altered and
re-built.
b(3). The Post Office, S.W. of the church,
is of two storeys. The walls are timber-framed
with brick filling, partly re-faced with stone
rubble; the foundations are of stone; the roofs
are tiled. It appears to be the central block
and N. wing of a building of half-H plan, possibly of mediæval date, with a hall of one
storey in the central block and the solar in the
two-storeyed N. wing, but the whole building
has been much altered and the central block is
now divided into two storeys. The S. wing has
been replaced by a modern structure. At the
E. end of the N. wing the upper storey projects
and is gabled; the gable is elaborately framed
in a form of king-post trussing, and a few heavy
wall-posts remain in the walls of the central
block.
Condition—Good.
b(4). Cottage, now two tenements, on the S.
side of the road to Bicester, 100 yards S. of the
church, is a small rectangular building of two
storeys, and of late 16th or early 17th-century
date. The walls in front and at the back are
timber-framed with brick filling, except in
front, where some of the original plaster filling
remains; the E. and W. ends have been re-faced
with stone and brick. The roof is thatched. The
two doorways from the street are now blocked
and the entrances are at the back.
Condition—Fairly good.
b(5). Cottage, 30 yards E. of (4), is of two
storeys, built probably late in the 16th or early
in the 17th century, but almost wholly re-built
with brick in the 18th and 19th centuries. The
front is gabled and retains the original timber-framing with brick filling. The roof is tiled.
Condition—Good.
b(6). House, 200 yards S.E. of the church, is
of two storeys, and is dated 1683. The walls
are of red brick in Flemish bond with black
headers; the tiled roof is hipped. The plan is
rectangular. The windows have flat arches,
solid frames with plain mullions and transoms,
and iron casements; over the windows on the
ground floor are long narrow raised panels of
brick. The doorways have plain solid frames
and panelled doors, and above the front entrance is the date, 1683, in raised cut brick. The
interior has been considerably altered, but some
of the doorways retain their moulded cornices.
The staircase is original, and has a ramped
handrail and turned balusters.
Condition—Good.
b(7). The Vicarage, 350 yards S.S.E. of the
church, is of two storeys, built probably early
in the 17th century, and originally of central
chimney type, much altered and enlarged in
the 18th and 19th centuries. The walls are entirely faced with brick of the later dates; the
roof is tiled. Inside the house is some early
17th-century panelling, re-set.
Condition—Good.
a(8). Chilton Park Farm, 1½ miles N.W. of
the church, is a house of two storeys and an
attic, with a basement under the S.W. corner,
on account of the slope of the site. It was built
of timber and brick late in the 16th century,
on a rectangular plan, with two rooms on each
floor; in the 18th century two additions were
built on the E. side, and a small wing was added
on the W. side. The roofs are tiled. The
original building is gabled at both ends, but the
S. end is almost covered by a large chimney
stack, of stone rubble with brick quoins on the
ground floor, and above that of brick, with
three square shafts set diagonally. The W.
wall has been partly re-faced with brick; the N.
end retains heavy timbers, but is much hidden
by ivy. All the doorways and windows are of
the 18th century. A room on the first floor has
some original panelling, re-set.
Condition—Good.