surrounded by their coats of arms. Still further on is a small
doorway into the chancel which dates from 1370.
Here, if one stands slightly back from the church, there is
fine view of the two clerestoreys. The four straight-headed
windows of intersected pointed and cusped tracery in the
chancel are an unusual and successful feature. They date
from 1370. The five lights of the nave clerestory date from the
15th century; the brick battlements are a later addition,
probably of 1516.
While here it is also worth noticing the fine tracery of the
Eastern window of the Berners chapel which cannot be seen
from inside the church.
INTERIOR
Facing you, as you enter by the South door, is the font.
The base itself is modern and dull, but if you stoop down you
will see that the eight quatrefoiled panels are upheld by
angels with their wings outspread. These, and the heraldic
work—the coats of arms include those of Helion, de Vere
and Clovile—date back to about 1375 and the actual
baptismal bowl is of Tudor workmanship.
Above the tower arch there hangs the Royal Coat of Arms
which was painted in 1662, and no doubt given to celebrate
the restoration of Charles II. The pillars of the archway are
decorated, but the restorers of 1865 raised the floor level here
by 9 inches, obscuring the bases, and rather spoiling the
proportions. Note the two very pretty and contrasting
string courses, from which spring the low and quite plain
arch. Passing through this we are faced with the greatest
architectural problem of the church. Both to the right and the
left you will notice blank arcading which is continued halfway
along the northern and southern walls of the tower. Were
these at the side sedilia? Were the two recesses which flank
the archway half built up mainly to strengthen the tower?
Or was this done to provide a base for further altars? Was
this the sanctuary of the former Saxon chapel whose
foundations have not been traced?
It is a feature, in any case, that is unique to Finchingfield;
though Prof. Geoffrey Webb thinks there may be a possible