54 CHURCHES IN THE RURAL DEANERY OF DORCHESTER. 



earlier, and may have originally contained a triplet of Early 

 English lights. 



TOWER : Early English (13th century), with 15th century upper 

 stages and windows. The window opening on the west face of the 

 tower may have contained a slit to serve as a window or for defence, 

 as at Woodsford (No. 8). 



CHANCEL ARCH : Probably Saxon ; there are hagioscopes on 

 either side of it. 



FONT : Modern. 



HISTORY OP THE CHURCH AS RECORDED IN ITS STONES : As the 

 church is mainly of the 13th century, the only earlier work being 

 the chancel arch, it seems most likely that the original church to 

 which this arch, if Saxon, belonged, or if Norman was added, was 

 a Saxon structure, for a substantial Norman church would not have 

 become so decayed in eighty years or so after its erection as to 

 necessitate its being pulled down and rebuilt. The Saxon church 

 gave place to the Early English in the 13th century, the chancel 

 arch alone remaining of the ancient church. The upper stage of 

 the tower and the Perpendicular windows in it and in the church, 

 including the dormer window, were added in the 15th century. 

 At this time the 13th century (Early English) roof still existed, 

 and the dormer window was built into it. The steep slope of this 

 roof is shown by the weathering on the tower and the ancient 

 eaves-course which still remains in places in the walls. 



At a late period after the Perpendicular the walls were raised, 

 and the present roof superseded the steep 13th century roof. 



There was a tradition in the village that there was a very 

 beautiful painting on the east wall of the nave above the chancel 

 arch ; the repair of the ceiling a few years ago gave the opportunity 

 for testing the truth of the tradition the wall was examined at a 

 distance by candle light when upon it was seen a short word in 

 Hebrew characters surrounded by an ornamental border in colour. 

 When the opportunity occurs again for examining it, it should be 

 observed whether the word is the mysterious word A.G.L.A., 

 the meaning of which is not known ; but, as it has been found 



