SK7728 : Church of St Michael, Eastwell
taken 7 years ago, near to Eastwell, Leicestershire, England
An interesting church, particularly as it is one that did not undergo major alteration during the Perpendicular period or Victorian restoration.
It consists of aisled nave with chancel, west tower and south porch, and dates mainly from the 13th century, with 14th century alterations. The latter principally include the upper part of the tower, the north aisle and the clerestory.
The most distinctive feature of the church is the stone screen with tympanum above separating the nave from the chancel. This relates to the time when the chancel or sanctuary was very much the preserve of the priest, the laity being restricted to the nave. There is a narrow, Early English, doorway, with Decorated period 3-light openings on either side. This is one of only 5 such tympanum screens of the medieval period known to exist in England.
The south aisle arcade is 13th Century Transitional, with pointed arches and circular columns. The latter have waterholding bases and nail-head decoration to the capitals. The north aisle arcade is 14th century Decorated with quatrefoil columns. The clerestory dates from the same period, and the main tie-beams of the nave roof are thought to be original to this period although the upper structure has been renewed since.
The chancel roof was rebuilt in plain rustic style in the 16th century with exposed queen post trusses and curved wind-braces.
The plain octagonal font also dates from the 14th century.
Other internal features of note include the niche tomb in the north wall of the chancel. This is 15th century in style, although the effigy, of a vestmented priest, is in 14th century dress. In the south aisle there is a plain combined piscina and aumbry, probably of original 13th century date. There are fragments of medieval stained glass in the east window of the north aisle.
Recent restorations have been carried out with the aid of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (now the National Churches Trust). The church is Listed Grade II*.