I have visited several churches recently and photographed some really interesting features in their interiors. When a church is unlocked you will often find some good architectural and artistic work that has survived many centuries and Victorian restorations. The font can often be the oldest surviving feature of the church and may be Saxon or Norman. There can also be wall paintings, remains of medieval stained glass, 17^th century woodwork, royal coats of arms, carved medieval stone heads and much, much more. I’d like share a few of my pictures with you.
 

A very fine early 15^th century rood screen in the Church of St. Swithin at Compton Bassett. Not at all what would expect to find in a small village church but it is believed to have been brought from Salisbury Cathedral, or possibly Winchester Cathedral, in the 18^th century.

 
The Rood Screen, St. Swithun's Church, Compton Bassett

An important wall tomb of 1559 to Sir Thomas Wroughton, his wife Anne, and their eight children. The only one of the ten figures on the tomb that has hands is Lady Anne; there is a strange story about this, that may have grown up to explain why this should be. It is said that one day Sir Thomas found his wife reading the Bible, he took it from her and threw it into the fire but it was rescued partly damaged. Afterwards his hands dropped off, although whether this was because he was burned rescuing the book is not known. Did this happen? Is it a moral lesson? Did he think that his wife should not be reading the Bible as she was a woman? Would his wife have been able to read? It is difficult to come to a conclusion after 450 years.

Wall Tomb, Broad Hinton

There was a hospital at Codford during the First World War to which injured soldiers, including those from Australia and New Zealand (Anzacs) were brought back from the front lines. Many died of their wounds and were buried in this Anzac cemetery at the Church of St. Mary; it is the second largest Anzac cemetery in the country. 

 

Anzac Cemetery, Codford

Sir Christopher Wren was born at East Knoyle, where his father was rector, and his birth is recorded in the parish register. His father, Dr Wren, was also an architect and designed the plaster work on the walls of the chancel of the Church of St. Mary. This image includes Jacob’s ladder, with angels ascending and descending. As a Royalist Dr Wren lost his living during the Civil War and part of the case against him was his plasterwork from 1639. Although the plasterwork from the ceiling has gone it is interesting that the Puritans did not destroy this work. Restoration of these scenes has been completed in may 2011.

Dr Wren's Plasterwork, East Knoyle

This magnificent 9^th century part of a Saxon tapered shaft can be found in the north wall of the chancel of the Church of St. Peter at Codford. Depicted is a man holding a mallet and with his head thrown back looking at a stylised branch that he is holding aloft. 

 

Saxon Tapered Shaft, St. Peter's Church, Codford

The earliest records for the Church of All Saints at Great Chalfield refer to the existence of a chapel in 1316 and to a church in 1349. The church then consisted of a chancel and nave. Of this building only part of the nave remains. In 1480 Thomas Tropenell built a chapel. At the same time the chancel was rebuilt, the nave enlarged and a west end porch and a bell-cote were added. The church is within the grounds of Tropenell’s beautiful manor house, now under the National Trust, but can be visited separately. Pictured are the remains of a 15^th century wall painting depicting the life of St. Katherine, probably commissioned by Thomas Tropenell.


Section of Wall Painting

Mike Marshman, County Local Studies Librarian

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