A HISTORY OF HERTFORDSHIRE 



window in the north wall, of the 15th century, with 

 scanty remains of tracery. The tower, which is of 

 three stages and embattled, opens to the aisle on the 

 east and to the nave on the south side by early 

 15th-century high two-centred arches of three 

 chamfered orders with shafted jambs. On the north 

 are a small dosr and a two-light window, both of the 

 15th century, and on the west a window, now 

 blocked, which was apparently the west window of 

 the aisle before it; widening ; and at the south-west 

 .ire traces of a stair-turret, which has been de- 

 stroyed. The windows of the bell chamber are, in 

 common with the rest of the tower, of early 15th- 

 century date, and are much mutilated. They are of 

 two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil over, in a two- 

 centred head. The tower contains one bell. 



The font, which is very muJi broken, is of early 



and burials from 1800 to i8ii ; (iv) marriage* from 

 175610 1810. 



The modem church of ST. LAWRENCE in Ayot 

 Park was built in 1 778 by Sir Lionel Lyde, bart., and 

 consecrated in 1 779. It was designed by Nicholas Revett 

 in the classical style, and consist* of an apsidal chancel 

 and nave with a gallery at the west end. 



The church of Ayot St. Law- 

 ADfOtfSON rence is first mentioned in the 

 Taxation made by Pope Nicholai IV 

 in 1291." The advowson is found pertaining to 

 the manor in 1383. when it was conveyed to 

 Thomas Barre," and, from lack of contrary evidence, 

 it may be presumed that it had always passed with 

 the lordship of the manor. After this date the 

 advowson followed the descent of the manor, except 

 in 1429, when the presentation was made by the 



Ayot St. Lawrence Old Chd 



e South-east 



15th-century date, and has an octagonal panelled 

 bowl. In the north-west corner of the tower is an 

 altar tomb with panelled sides and the mutilated and 

 defaced remains of the effigies of a knight and lady. 

 The work is of early 15th-century date. In the 

 recess of the blocked window in the tower is a defaced 

 mural monument of 1626 to Nicholas Bristowe, with 

 small kneeling effigies of alabaster. 



The plate, now used in the new church, includes 

 a cup of 1659 and a paten of 1696. 



The registers are contained in four books : (i) all 

 entries from 1566 to 1720 ; (ii) baptisms from 17ZO 

 - -799, burials from 171S to 1799, with a hiatus 



king. 



In 



from 1727 

 175+, with 



1731. and marriages from 1716 to 

 sfrom 1728 to 1738 ; (iii) baptisms 



when the manor was divided 

 between three heirs, the advowson was held in turn," 

 but the whole came to Sir William Say in 1 508." 

 In 1697 presentation was made by George Halscy, 

 who appears with Elizabeth Bristowe, lady of the 

 manor, in a recovery of 1714.™ Since then it hai 

 followed the descent of the manor to the present day, 

 Mr. L. G. Ames being the present patron. 



A terrier of 1638 states that the parsonage was 

 surrounded by a close of two acres, with ' one Utfe 

 Pikle and a spot of ground cald the Orchyarde.' The 

 glebe lands then consisted of 14J acres beside; the 

 churchyard, half an acre lying in Sandridge, and 

 included closes called Hyemares and Kinglla«d, ,, 

 In 1693 the parsonage-house was said to be 'new 



i , CaL Pa! - '4«-9. p- sn- 



6 Anct D. (P.R.O.), B. 257, z;8. 

 Ibid. B. *54, i S 5, 275. 



62 



'. R. Trin. 13 Anne. 

 Gen. and Antiq. ii, 70. 



