Visited by the Society in 1890. 



255 



The chancel was erected at about the same time as the earlier 

 parts of the aisles and nave arcades,, the north and east walls remain 

 of this work with two two-light windows and priest's doorway in 

 the former and piscina in the south wall ; the south wall was erected 

 and the chancel arch and east window inserted without regard for 

 the old string course, in 1862. The chancel apparently has its 

 original roof above the plaster ceiling. 



The sacristy was added later in the fourteenth century, as indicated 

 by the diagonal buttresses and the moulding of the label to the 

 outer door ; though the cusped arch of the doorway might be taken 

 as coeval with the chancel. Further evidence that it was an ad- 

 dition is afforded by the way in which its east wall cuts into the 

 window of the sanctuary. The corbels of the old roof remain : the 

 north window is a later insertion. The squint in the chancel wall 

 points in the direction of the high altar, and was probably 

 intended for the use of the priest in watching the altar. 



The chancel was originally without buttresses. 



The font is a plain but bold Decorated one. and of good size. 



There is a rude sundial cut on the south-west buttress of the 

 porch, which certainly does not indicate the hours of the day, but 

 might have been cut to indicate the canonical hours. On the 

 opposite side of the doorway is rudely cut one of those small old 

 crosses, with a hole at each termination, which are often found on 

 the face of old walls* 



S. Michael's & All Angels. Eechfont. 



The principal part of this Church was erected during the " Deco- 

 rated" period ; the work is pure and rich, and at the same time it 

 possesses great individuality ; there are features here which, so far 

 as I am aware, have no parallel in the county. A great deal might 

 be said on this Church, but I will describe its various features as 

 briefly as possible. 



There appears to be nothing here earlier than the beginning of 

 the thirteenth century, but the font is of that period, and so also is 

 the chancel arch ; so much of the latter has been made up in modern 

 plaster-work that its appearance is misleading, but the sections of the 



