280 



Collections for a History of West Bean. 



ran along- the chancel wall, a short Early English column with 

 boldly-carved capital supporting- the weight of the wall above. 

 These pillars were hidden behind modern wainscotting, and were 

 somewhat mutilated when disclosed. Beneath the most western 

 lancet on the south side was a blocked square-headed low-side 

 window. A priest's door in the same wall had been cased in brick- 

 work and its character destroyed. The east window, of three lights, 

 and one of two lights, blocked, in the south wall, were insertions of 

 Decorated date, having quatrefoils in their heads. The latter has 

 been removed to the restored chantry. Two concealed piscinae were 

 brought to light, one a plain Early English chamfered opening, 

 with circular basin, its drain carried to the ground through a long- 

 perforated stone ; and a little to the east of this, superseding and 

 destroying a plain square ambry, a larger piscina of Decorated date, 

 with bold roll moulding, a square head, and an arched ambry above. 

 The sacrarium, elevated one step above the level of the chancel, 

 retained portions of its original encaustic pavement. Among the 

 patterns of its tiles were an archer on horseback, rudely designed, 

 and two birds with twisted necks, forming the Lombardic letter 

 M — the monogram of the Blessed Virgin, in whose honour the 

 Church was dedicated. Here, against the north wall, was the large 

 Jacobean monument of John Evelyn, Esq. ; on the opposite side the 

 bust of Mrs. Tirell ; and the tablet of Mrs. Griffinhoofe ; and upon 

 the floor the brass of George Evelyn ; all now removed into the 

 chantry, and described below. The chancel arch, of fair Decorated 

 character, was much crippled by the spread of its abutments. 



The nave must have been re- built at a later date than that of the 

 chancel, no Early English features appearing in it, and its only 

 remaining un-mutilated windows — one of two lights on the north 

 side, and one of three lights at the west end— being of the Decorated 

 style. Its walls, inclining outwards, had been strengthened on the 

 north and west by strong buttresses ef stone ; but notwithstanding 

 the support of these, a large and dangerous fissure at the north- west 

 corner suggested unpleasant possibilities, and in fact rendered 

 necessary the removal or re-building of the Church. A few of the 

 old seats, very rough and plain oaken benches, have been transferred 



