By C. E. Pouting, FXA. 419 



The Chukcii of S. Nicholas, ]]ekavick Bassett. 



The Cliurcli consists of nave with tower forniiiig south porch 

 and chancel with vestry on the north. 



Tiie nave is the only pre-lieformation structural v^ork here; 

 this dates from late in the fourteenth century, as judged by the 

 doorv^ays on north and south, with tlieir deep labels moulded l;ack 

 to the face of the head and the four tall two-light square-headed 

 windows, without labels, in the side walls. The west window, a 

 pointed one of three lights, appears to have been inserted some 

 seventy years later. In the south wall is a trefoil-arched ])iscina 

 with circular bowl. The only buttress is one on the south to 

 support the chancel arch, which is modern. Across this arch is a 

 fifteenth century oak screen of five bays each side of the central 

 opening, the mullions being small buttresses in the lower part, with 

 carved finials, the central opening has a four-centred arch with 

 floriated cusps and carved spandrels ; in the cornice is one band 

 of inserted carving with a band of XXXX ornament below and the 

 old cresting above. The rood-loft has disappeared (Plate III.). 



Tiie font is a most interesting one of the latter half of the 

 thirteenth century ; it is octagonal with shafts at the angles, and 

 each side has a trefoil arch with carved floriated cusps, and the 

 unusual feature of foliage branching out at the springing above 

 the caps of the shafts. It is badly broken by the iron hinges and 

 staple. 



In the floor of the chancel is the brass of William Bayley, who 

 died in 1427.^ 



The chancel and the tower-porch are built of thin bricks, and 

 probably date from early in the eighteenth century ; the former 

 has an east window of triple-lancet form, and two lancets in the 

 south wall, all of wliich are coeval with the I)rickwork. 



Tiie vestry was aJdiul under thr diicrlioii (•!' Mr. T. II. A\'yalt. 



Adjoining the church}ard i.s an inleresling spceinii'n of the 

 manor house of the fifteenth century, the whole I'cing old wiih 

 the exception of tli(^ brick addition at the south-west angle, although 

 some alteration has taken ])la((' in the south })rojoction. 

 » Kite's " nra^ses of Wiltshirt," p. 22. 



