Easton, Suffolk - All Saints
Easton was not recorded as a parish in the Domesday Book of 1086, but was the eastern part of a settlement known as Martley, with a church that may have been the Saxon forerunner of the present All Saints, perhaps on the same site.
The church, which sits on a mound, is a 13th. century building that was extensively refurbished two centuries later. Symptomatic of this is the octagonal 15th. century belfry built on to a square base of the tower built 200 years earlier.
The church consists of a nave and chancel, west tower, which houses the Sanctus bell, above the peal of six church bells, north porch, for the exclusive use of Easton Hall, south porch, and south vestry.
Alongside the path leading to the south porch, and bordering three sides of the churchyard, is part of the 'Crinkle Crankle' or serpentine wall built to surround the whole of Easton Park by the 5th. Earl of Rochford in about 1830. It is reputed to be the longest wall of its kind in the world, although it has been pierced in places and in some parts has fallen into decay.
Inside the church are pews on either side of the altar, known as the Wingfield Pews. These are unique and are of Italian design, but of English workmanship. They were installed by Sir Henry Wingfield, 4th. Baronet in about 1650. The pews were in constant use by the Lords of the Manor from that time until early in the 20th. century.
The font is plain, octagonal and heavily moulded. The top shows signs of lock fittings for securing a cover to prevent people in medieval times from removing water for superstitious or magical purposes.
In the chancel floor are brasses commemorating Sir Thomas Charles, who died in 1418 and was at that time Lord of the Manor of Easton, John Wingfield, Esquire, dated 1584, and Dame Radcliff Wingfield, first wife of Sir Thomas Wingfield, Knight, dated 1601.
On the north wall, near the north porch, are memorials to William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein, 5th. Earl of Rochford (1754–1830) and his younger brother The Hon. George Richard Savage Nassau (1756–1823). Another memorial is to Lady Mary Wingfield who died in 1675. She was the wife of Sir Henry Wingfield Bt, 4th. Baronet, who was killed in the Battle of Lorraine in 1677.
The church was restored in the late 1880's.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 7th. December 1966. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 285857).
Easton, Suffolk - All Saints
Easton was not recorded as a parish in the Domesday Book of 1086, but was the eastern part of a settlement known as Martley, with a church that may have been the Saxon forerunner of the present All Saints, perhaps on the same site.
The church, which sits on a mound, is a 13th. century building that was extensively refurbished two centuries later. Symptomatic of this is the octagonal 15th. century belfry built on to a square base of the tower built 200 years earlier.
The church consists of a nave and chancel, west tower, which houses the Sanctus bell, above the peal of six church bells, north porch, for the exclusive use of Easton Hall, south porch, and south vestry.
Alongside the path leading to the south porch, and bordering three sides of the churchyard, is part of the 'Crinkle Crankle' or serpentine wall built to surround the whole of Easton Park by the 5th. Earl of Rochford in about 1830. It is reputed to be the longest wall of its kind in the world, although it has been pierced in places and in some parts has fallen into decay.
Inside the church are pews on either side of the altar, known as the Wingfield Pews. These are unique and are of Italian design, but of English workmanship. They were installed by Sir Henry Wingfield, 4th. Baronet in about 1650. The pews were in constant use by the Lords of the Manor from that time until early in the 20th. century.
The font is plain, octagonal and heavily moulded. The top shows signs of lock fittings for securing a cover to prevent people in medieval times from removing water for superstitious or magical purposes.
In the chancel floor are brasses commemorating Sir Thomas Charles, who died in 1418 and was at that time Lord of the Manor of Easton, John Wingfield, Esquire, dated 1584, and Dame Radcliff Wingfield, first wife of Sir Thomas Wingfield, Knight, dated 1601.
On the north wall, near the north porch, are memorials to William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein, 5th. Earl of Rochford (1754–1830) and his younger brother The Hon. George Richard Savage Nassau (1756–1823). Another memorial is to Lady Mary Wingfield who died in 1675. She was the wife of Sir Henry Wingfield Bt, 4th. Baronet, who was killed in the Battle of Lorraine in 1677.
The church was restored in the late 1880's.
The church received Grade: I listed building status on 7th. December 1966. (English Heritage Legacy ID: 285857).