A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE 



buttresses are diagonal and under one of them is a 

 large block of flint conglomerate or ' pudding-stone.' 

 In the north-west angle of the tower is a newel stair 

 entered by a four-centred arched doorway from the 

 inside. The tower arch is of two moulded orders, 

 the outer order continuous, the inner resting on round 

 engaged shafts with moulded capitals and bases ; it is 

 of 15th-century date. The west doorway is of two 

 moulded orders with square head and blank shields 

 in the spandrels. Over the doorway is an embattled 

 string-course. The doorway is very similar to the 

 west doorway at Layston. The \vest window is of 

 three cinquefoiled lights with traceried head. The 



Brent Pelham Church : The South Door 



belfry windows are of two cinquefoiled lights with 

 traceried heads, partly of modern stonework. The 

 whole tower was thoroughly restored and bells rehung 

 a few years ago by Mr. Edward Barclay. 



Under the tower arch is a modern oak screen, in 

 which are incorporated some traceried heads from a 

 screen of i jth-century date. 



On the floor at the west end of the nave is a brass 

 with two female figures and inscription to Mary, 

 1625, and Anne, 1627, wives of Francis Rowley. In 

 an arched recess in the north wall of the nave is a 

 tomb, on the top of which is a black marble slab, 

 5 ft. 6 in. long, decorated with carvings in high relief 

 of 13th-century date. It represents a richly floreated 



cross issuing from the mouth of a dragon ; at the 

 centre of the cross is a winged figure bearing a soul 

 in the form of a small figure, around which are the 

 symbols of the Evangelists, all winged. Nothing is 

 known about the tomb, which is ascribed to Piers 

 Shonks, but a legend recounts that by the help of 

 the miraculous flight of an arrow Piers found a place 

 for his tomb which should cheat the devil, who, 

 offended by the slaying of a dragon, had vowed 

 to have his soul whether he were buried inside the 

 church or out. 



There are four bells . the first and second by 

 Miles Graye, 1634 ; the third by J. Briant, 1792 ; 

 the fourth by Miles Graye, 1637. 



The communion plate includes a 

 cup of 1628. 



The registers before 1813 are as 

 follows: (i) baptisms 1539 to 1690, 

 burials 1539 to 1689, marriages 1551 

 to 1689 ; (ii) baptisms and burials 

 1690 to 1773, marriages 1690 to 

 1754.; (iii) mixed entries 1539 to 

 1773 ; (iv) baptisms and burials 1773 

 to 1812, marriages 1754 '° 181 3. 



The church of 

 • ^DVOWSON Brent Pelham is said 

 to have been granted 

 to the Treasurer of St. Paul's with that 

 of Furneux Pelham by Bishop Richard 

 de Beames of London between 1152 

 and 1 162." In 1181 it was stated 

 to have been appropriated to the 

 treasurer's office, to pay 1 3^. annually 

 to the archdeacon and i zd. as Peter's 

 Pence and to have appurtenant to it 

 40 acres of land held in demesne and 

 rents to the value of 8/. 412'." It was 

 visited among other churches of the 

 cathedral in 1252. The churchyard 

 was then found to be very ill-inclosed. 

 The steps before the altar were of mud, 

 without stone, wood or cement. On 

 the walls of the chancel there were no 

 designs in plaster, and two panes of 

 glass were missing in the place where 

 the psalms were sung. The church 

 had only five books, of which all but 

 one were stated to be in bad condition. 

 The treasure consisted of a silver chalice 

 partly gilded, a chrismatory of tin and 

 two old tin candlesticks, a small tin pjT£ 

 insecurely hung in a bag above the 

 altar, three old phials of tin, a small 

 censer, two little bells for use at 

 funerals, a little banner, red and yellow, and several 

 vestments and cloths. There was a single crucifix 

 over the high altar. Geoffrey Sarvors or Sarnors 

 had granted 2 acres of land to be held by the 

 Treasurer of St. Paul's in demesne for the finding 

 of two candles on the high altar, but his foundation 

 had not always been effectual. A collection of one- 

 fourth from each messuage was customarily made for 

 the Easter candle, and the lights otherwise depended 

 on votive offerings. The ministers were a chaplain 

 and his clerk, of whom the chaplain had his lodging 

 near the graveyard and within the church's land. The 

 church was said to be of the Blessed Virgin, but had 

 " Newcourt, Refert. i, 853. " Ibid. 852. 



98 



