hertfordshire churches 1

coningsby rebus rabbits in the heraldic glass of c.1610

tomb of arabella kemble, 1820 and husband thomas 1821, beside the victorian porch

sun dial bearing the date 1584, and the name of the c16 curate, henry peacham. currently on a brick buttress, this was moved from around the south doorway when the porch was built c.1859.

the c14 west doorway looks to have been recently replaced with this copy. I don't know what state the original was in, so am unable to judge the need for such a drastic measure. regardless, the replacement has been well carved, and the c19 ironwork on the doors is great. my main concern with both the ironwork and the stone is that it is all craft and no art; it lacks individuality and soul, and slick perfection is no equal to something that comes from the heart.

new tower gargoyle, rather a good one too, modern and singular. when such figures have become shapeless lumps I'd say it's always a good idea to replace them , especially if something as excellent as this is the result.

tower c.1450 except for its west doorway, a totally renewed version of a c14 doorway with good victorian ironwork. the window above is basically c14 too, though its c15 surround shows that it and the doorway must have been reused from the original west wall.

tomb of samuel robert gaussen, 1821 and family, next to the chancel

north aisle c.1330, tower c.1450 except for its west door. the thing like a bus shelter to the left is the horrible modern loo block and meeting hall; why they build these things instead of putting decent heating into the church is beyond me.

c14 reticulated tracery in the north aisle

the church is mostly c14, though restored of course c.1860 when the vestry was added. next to the aisle is one of those dismal ugly modern extensions that so many home counties churches seem to favour. the church is open daily, even on christmas day, and is well worth checking out for its tombs

elizabeth bywater, 1750

view east down the aisle and arcade added by j.clarke c.1862. the church was locked, no info on net.

early c12 nave with norman doorway and window, c15 window and weatherboarded bell turret of ?c.1706

wind vane, presumably a 1963 copy of a 1706 original

locked earlyish c12 norman north door and window, both much restored, the capitals and shafts being poor concrete replacements, probably of the date of the pebbledashed exterior

a warship and anchors are carved in relief on this early c19 memorial to a naval man, name and date illegible

a warship and anchors are carved in relief on this early c19 memorial to a naval man, name and date illegible