By E. W. Godwin, Esq. 363 
century (c. 1240) at which period the church appears to have 
consisted only of a nave, south aisle and chancel, the existence of a 
tower beingdoubtful. It was not long, however, before the increased 
population of the parish made it requisite to enlarge the structure, 
and consequently we find that early in the reign of Edward I (1280) 
a chapel of the same size as the chancel,' a north aisle, and a cleres- 
tory to the nave were added. ‘This addition of a chapel involved 
the almost total destruction of the original north wall of the chancel, 
in order to admit the arches of communication ; it is, therefore, more 
than probable that the Easter Sepulchre was destroyed in taking 
down the old wall, for not many years after the date of these alter- 
ations, the masonry in the south wall was disturbed and a new 
sepulchre inserted. Late in the 14th century the mason’s hand 
appears to have been again busy; alterations were made in the 
south aisle, a clerestory and new roof to the nave constructed, whilst 
in the chancel the old “‘ Early English” sedilia, and portions of the 
piscina and sepulchre were cut away to make room for three new 
sedilia. From this time the church remained unaltered till towards 
the middle of the 15th century, about which time (c 1450) the old 
north aisle was taken down and the present one erected ; the arch 
leading from the aisle into the chapel considerably altered, a stair- 
case to the roodloft and screens to the chapel and chancel constructed, 
the south aisle lengthened, and a parapet and a new roof added, 
and the present tower with adjoining nave arches erected. From 
this last alteration it appears that the nave, prior to the 15th cen- 
tury, extended only as far westward as the third pier from the east. 
This is evinced by more than one circumstance, and principally 
by the fact of the hoodmolding on the north side, returning over 
the western pier, or what was originally the respond, and being 
abruptly cut off at the line of junction. 
It is not improbable that a church existed here in the time of the 
Saxons, for the manor of Colerne is mentioned in Domesday, as one 
of the “vills” held directly of the King by Humphrey de I’'Isle. 
1 The junction of the later with the earlier masonry, is clearly defined by a 
fissure in the wall, and by the old ashlar quoin stones. 
3c2 
