pitched. The five bays of the nave, with moulded main beams,
ties, and curved braces can be exactly dated, since on the last
beam the inscription "1561 W.B. S.L." is plainly seen. The
roof of the chancel, with its four bays, is more elaborate,
with carved and moulded pendants. Here again, on the main
beam is an inscription:—
"This roof was builded anno Domini 1635
at the charge of Robert Kempe Esquire
and
Builded by John Glascock".
In both roofs the cross beams rest upon corbels, which have
been carved, usually with heads. Those in the chancel are
the most easily seen. On the North side, between the altar and
the screen are: a peasant, a bishop wearing his mitre, a
crowned king, St. Paul with the sword of his martyrdom,
and a peasant woman. On the South side: a peasant, a priest
holding his prayer book and a tithe pig, a queen with a
rosary, St. Peter with his key, and a peasant. Traditionally
these are supposed to represent some legend.
One should also notice the mutilated figure of a bull which
is a stop to the arch over the organ. It is carved with great
vigour, and beneath is part of an inscription. Unfortunately
this has not been deciphered, and the story behind it, if there
is one, remains a mystery.
In the chancel there are three tombs to the Marriott
family which are worth noticing. The earliest one is to Sir
Richard Marriott who died in 1703, although the tomb-chest
against the northern wall was not erected until 1718. In the
middle of the long Latin inscription there is a Greek
paraphrase from St. Matthew (X. 21) which might be
translated as "Ye shall be betrayed by your parents (or
children), your wives, brothers and friends". This has led to
some speculation as to whether Sir Richard, who had held
high office under Catherine of Braganza, the Queen of
Charles II, was a secret Roman Catholic or perhaps a
Jacobite, who feared betrayal by his family.
The second monument is placed on the North wall to
commemorate Thomas Marriott, who died in 1766. The
fine bust is signed by W. Tyler. He had for many years been