242 



* The Church. 



In all probability a Saxon Church stood on the site of the 

 Norman Church. Saxon Churches are known to have existed at 

 Ingleliy Arnclift'e, Crathorne, Kirklevington and many other parishes 

 in the neighbourhood, where Saxon remains have been found. So 

 far as 1 know, however, no Saxon remains have been found at 

 Whorlton ; the Church might have been of wood or stone. 



The Architectural history of the present Church appears to be 

 as follows : — First a Xave and Chancel were built in the early part 

 of the 12tli century, then a North Aisle M'as thrown out and an Arcade 

 built of three arches -with cushion capitals, the centre one having 

 dragons sculptured round it. The North Aisle was usually built first 

 in case of enlargement; the North side in the ideas of those days was 

 given up tn evil spirits, ami no one would be buried there, neither 

 will people in the present day in some parishes ; thus it was not a 

 question of disturbing the dead. 



In the 13th century the South Aisle was built, the Arcade being 

 Early English, the bases of the columns — which are round — 

 .showing the water moulding ; the arches are round, corresponding 

 with those in the North Arcade. The Norman Chancel, the plinth 

 of which remains for half the length of the present Chancel, 

 probably ended in a round apse like the neighbouring Norman 

 Church of Hilton ; part of the Norman wall remains on the North 

 side, and has a round-headed window in it now blocked up. There 

 appears to have been an altar on either side the Chancel arch^ 

 making three in all, after the English use. In the Greek Church 

 the rule is one Church one altar. 



The Chancel was rebuilt in the 14tli century with a square 

 end ; in the North wall is a large arch under which is the 1 ith. 

 century Meynell tomb, which pierced this wall, communicating 

 with the Chantry Chapel on the North side, now pulled down, the 

 windows being inserted in the Chancel of the new Cliurch, half a 

 mile away, at Swainby ; at the East end of this arch and tomb is a 

 single lancet window with one cusp. The South wall was originally 

 pierced Avith three two-light windows and a priest's door, now 

 blocked uj) ; the western half of the South wall was rebuilt or refaced 

 probably in the Elizabethan period, when the scpiare-headed window 

 was inserted, having over it the Bate arms — viz., Sable, a bar 

 engrailed, arg. between three dexter hands, or ; and on a shield 

 adjoining is the following inscription : ORA TE PNO BIS A.D. 



■' For previous Xote on 'Whorlton Cluncli with illustration refer to 

 page 13 of present Proceedings. 



