NOTES ON THE CHimCH OF ST. IVES. 257 



accounts. In 185.'» tlie chancel was restored and tlie whole 

 cluivch reseated, the font heing" at the same time restored, a 

 delicate operation performed with (vare, though it is prohahle 

 tluat it is to this that we must attribute the doubt as to the 

 reading of the legend on it. In 1887, the slating of the roofs 

 was renewed throughout, and the panelling which had been of 

 deal (covered with papei' supposed to resemble oak, and varnished) 

 was rejilaced by genuine oak, a good many old fragments being 

 worked into it. 



But through all its restorations '' St. Ives church has 

 retained its original form to a degree that few churches have. 

 A casual glance suffices to show that the mam body of the 

 edihce, the chancel, nave, tower and north aisle, are of the early 

 i 5th century, and that the south aisle and the chapel opening 

 from it, usually known as the " Trenwith Aisle," are of later 

 date, though probably erected in the same century. Its door- 

 way (now blocked) under a square arch with cpiatrefoils in the 

 spandrels, and its windows with cinqfoliated lights, are of the 

 late perpendicular period.^ Around this aisle on the outside 

 are some quaint corbel-hea<ls, and a line gargoyle, which are 

 pro})ably somewhat, though not much, older than the church, and 

 perhaps came from the former chapel of Porthia. By the porch 

 stands a line 15th century granite cross (on a modern base; with 

 battlemented top. On the western face the Deity is represented 

 supporting in his arms Christ crucified, and in the top corners 

 are two shields apparently blank ; on the eastern side is the 

 Virgin holding the infant Christ; on the south side is a bishop, 

 in mitre and chasuble, and holding a pastoral staff, his right 

 hand being raised in blessing ; and on the north is a crowned 

 female figure, possibly St. la. ■' 



Within, the church presents the usual series f)f four-centred 

 arches*' (of Beer and Pennant stone, some capitals being 



3 The churchwardens' accounts and other books record many other details of 

 alterations, repairs, &c. ; indeed I know of no country church with .so full a record, 

 but I have not space tor all the entries. 



4 Mr. Seddling does not con.sider that this doorway forms a true part of the 

 original structure. He is about to remove it to the west end of the chapel as an 

 open doorway. 



5 This cross is figured in Hingeston"s now Hingeston-Kaudolph's) "Specimens 

 of Ancient Cornish Crosses, &c.," London, 1850, and in Blight's "Ancient Crosses of 

 Cornwall.' 



o The nave arcades incline outwards to a considerable extent. 



