Visited by the Society im 1890, 259 
The font is of thirteenth century date—it has a square bowl, the 
angles of which are slightly canted off. 
S. Joun Baprist’s. CHErineTon (or Currton). 
This Church has been much altered, but there is still sufficient 
evidence to enable us to form a pretty good idea of its history, 
The first thing which strikes one is the very early roof, quite the 
earliest example of timber-work that we have seen during our ex- 
cursions for many years. Perhaps the best means of arriving at its 
probable date will be to first consider the arcades which support it. 
These are of three bays each of round arches, with quite plain soffits 
and without labels. The pillars are round and the caps and their 
abaci square—the carving in each being of a different type. Now 
on reading this description alone one would be disposed to say “ Why 
of course this is pure Norman work!” but if we look a little closer 
we shall see that, although the builders preserved these peculiarities 
of the Norman style, the carving shows signs of transition, and I 
think we must put this work at not earlier than 1170. The 
main timbers of the roof taken alone might be referred to early 
in the thirteenth century—but it is hardly reasonable to suppose 
that the nave could have required a new roof within fifty years of 
its completion. I think, therefore, we are bound to assign the roof 
to the same date as that of the arcades, and pronounce it a Tran- 
sitional Norman one. And you may observe that, although the 
rafters and braces have a later appearance, there are tie-beams at 
which level a ceiling might have been put, and only these and the 
wall-plates level with them are moulded, and this with the Norman 
billet mould. 
The beautiful doorway in the south aisle, which we saw as we 
came in, is of the date of which we are now speaking— with the 
exception of the inner filling with the pointed arch, which is of 
fourteenth century date. The jambs and arch of this doorway have 
a good bold roll moulding, and very varied carved subjects—amongst 
which are, not only the beak-head, but deer’s heads and other 
animals, human heads, hands, and entire figures—the inner member 
being the zig-zag. 
