64 CHURCHES IN THE RURAL DEANERY OF DORCHESTER. 



point can scarcely be discerned in some of them.* This is a local 

 peculiarity of the builder. Of the same date is the piscina near 

 the pulpit (with drain cut off), where there was formerly an altar 

 and a chapel. 



The substitution of the 14th century windows in the nave for 

 the narrow Early English windows may have been for the sake of 

 obtaining more light. 



In the following century the cinquefoil perpendicular head was 

 put into the nave window, and the great west window and door, 

 with its stoup, were inserted, an additional stage was added to the 

 tower, and a small doorway was cut in the lower stage, by which 

 the belfry was reached from the outside. Beneath this doorway is 

 a string moulding with sockets cut in it for the beams of a floor. 

 How this floor communicated with the church is not clear, as it is 

 above the present and was above the ancient roof ; and there is 

 nothing to show that there was ever a roof over it, though it must 

 have been wide enough for a small room. 



At the last restoration, some years ago, by Mr. Hicks, architect, 

 of Dorchester, the north aisle, with its arcade, were added. It was 

 at this time that the chancel arch was removed and the present 

 wide chancel arch substituted. 



20. STRATTOK 



NORTH SIDE : PORCH with its archway and niche above, Early 

 English (late) or Decorated (early). CHURCH DOORWAY : Inner 

 arch Tudor, outer arch ancient. WINDOWS, 15th century, pure 

 and good. 



EAST END : The quoins are stop chain f erred. Stop chamfers in 

 such a position are unusual, except in early work. CHANCEL ARCH : 

 Early English (13th century), settled out of shape. There are 

 hagioscopes on either side of it. 



* Arches with heads similar in shape may be seen supporting the 

 clerestory in the west wall of the south transept in Netley Abbey. They 

 are undoubtedly of the Early English period, though possibly late in the 

 style. 



