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Clawton Devon

Church of St Leonard, Clawton Devon built on the site of an earlier church which was rebuilt in 14c possibly with transepts, before the north and south aisles and west tower were added

 

It now consists of a continuous nave & chancel, north and south aisles separated from the nave by four arches on each side, south porch, and three stage west tower having 5 bells, with a south facing stair turret.

The oldest parts are the surviving 12c chancel with its Norman windows on the north side, and the 12c font. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/U96015yB73 which stands next to late medieval tiles decorated with swans, lions & fleur de lis www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7TY6V2ZU20

The tower and aisles were added later in the 14c, the chapel in the north aisle being dedicated to St. Katherine. Followed by some late 15c / early 16c fenestration and roofs.

In the chancel is a priest's door which got narrower through time www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/w005ft16fW

The roof has carved bosses and wall plate. The pillars of the westernmost bays of the north and south aisles differ in style from the others, being clustered columns instead of octagonal, and they are constructed of a different kind of stone.

The rood staircase and doorway remain, the staircase is on the north side is in the thickness of the aisle wall. A hagioscope between the south aisle and the chancel must have post-dated the roof loft stairs which still exist in a fragmentary form. www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/xrr9SD07zy

There are some remains of the rood screen preserved in the belfry

On the north wall of the tower is a large undated plaster Royal Coat of Arms of King Charles www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7zDPEE6310

The porch has bosses and carved wall plates.

 

On the north wall of the aisle is a large monument with recumbent figure of Christopher Osmond 1631 who died a little over 5 months after the death of hi only son another Christopher who kneels at his feet www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/cv5PdD33Jo

 

All restored and refurbished c 1860

 

In the vestry are remains of an old churchyard cross.

 

A small c1490 brass of a man is fixed to one of the choir stalls, his provenance is unknown as he was bought in junk shop by a former rector in the early mid 20c www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Xn592G02Aq#

 

The registers date: baptisms, 1694; marriages, 1697; burials, 1693.

Picture with thanks - copyright Derek Harper CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4873497

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Uploaded on November 20, 2023
Taken on March 15, 2016