REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1903 31 



the tower ; and in the walls of the nave, above the early 



English arcades, there is an interesting trace of late Norman 

 or transitional work in the capitals below the new chancel 

 arch, which indicate some alteration having taken place in 

 the original chancel about 1180, or a little later. An addition 

 of aisles was made in the early English period, the date of 

 which is generally given as 1200, and an arcade of three 

 bays was inserted in the walls of the nave which were 

 left in position. The present aisles, however, are wider than 

 these, and were probably built about 1350, when the two 

 upper stages of the tower were erected and the chantry was 

 added, which is now the Craster chapel in the North aisle. 

 At some period in the Georgian era a typical " churchwardens' " 

 chancel was substituted ; but it was removed in 1867, being 

 replaced b}' the present one, which was built at the instance 

 of the Wardens of Merton College, Oxford (the patrons of 

 the living), and after the style prevailing at the time of 

 Walter de Merton, the founder of the College (1264). In 

 respect of other points of interest, the Norman windows in 

 the tower at its second stage, though now blocked up, show 

 a marked resemblance to those in the tower of Ponteland 

 Church, also in the patronage of Merton, from which it is 

 concluded that in the erection of both the same architect and 

 masons were employed. The open parapets, which add so 

 much grace and beauty to the tower, are comparatively rare 

 in the North of England. On the arches of the nave is seen 

 a simple dogtoothed flower at the springings, while the hood- 

 mouldings have hammer-head or nail-head ornaments, the 

 combination of which on the same arch being by no means 

 common. In the North aisle, besides the Craster chapel 

 or mortuary, there are indications of other chantries in the 

 ambries and niches still remaining. The stained glass in 

 the chancel windows is a good example of Kemp's earlier 

 work, and was placed there to commemorate Sir George Grey, 

 of Fallodon, who for so many years filled the office of Home 

 Secretary. The scheme of colour is excellent, while the 

 subject — "the Holy Catholic Church and the communion of 

 saints" — is ingeniously expressed in the emblem of the vine, 

 whose central stem is the figure of the glorified Redeemer. 

 Very strongly marked is the inclination of the chancel towards 



