Incorporated internally into east wall of chapel on north side of tower, south of altar

First recorded in Clapham 1935, built into exterior of blocking of one of the arches in north wall of nave; probably removed to present position in 1971 when ruined chapel north of nave and tower rebuilt

St Mary

Broken and worn

It is sub-rectangular. The lower and left-hand edges are trimmed, and the upper and right-hand edges roughly broken. The face is divided into two by a broad moulding of rectangular section curving down from the upper right-hand corner across the face before curving back towards the lower right. Each edge of the moulding is paralleled by an incised line. These are defaced towards the lower end. Close to this moulding and to the left is a longitudinally ribbed band (the ribbing suggested by incised lines) which expands slightly towards its lower end. An interlace strand developing from the lower right crosses the face and interlaces with these two mouldings, before looping back and interlacing with them again. From above the point of origin of this strand emerges a plant stem which is carried up to interlace with the curving mouldings before terminating in a tight scroll. A secondary stem develops from its base and curls tightly up and back. Between the two a short stem is carried across to terminate on the curving moulding.

The fragmentary nature of the piece makes it impossible to identify the original function. The only evidence for dating is the form of the leaf ornament. This is reminiscent of Winchester-style acanthus of the late tenth and eleventh centuries.

Eleventh century

Clapham 1935a, 407 - 8; Taylor and Taylor 1965 - 78, ii, 562; Kirby 1978, 165; Tweddle 1986b, i, 112, ii, 468 - 9, iii, pl. 89a