Page:Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.djvu/200

158 . The church consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, north porch, and square west tower with shingled spire. The piers and arches between the nave and aisles are Tr. Norm. Under the tower arch is part of a Dec. screen, possibly removed from the chancel arch. The east ends of the north and south walls of the chancel have been rebuilt; in the ancient portion on each side is a small Norm, window, and, besides, two lancets in the north wall. The east window of the north aisle is closed with bricks, much brick having been used elsewhere in repairing the building. The lower part of the tower is evidently earlier than the remainder. In the south wall, not far from the ground, appears the mark of a rather wide roundheaded window, of which the arch is formed with bricks (Roman?) and at the angles of this ancient portion is an imperfect resemblance of "long and short work," the long stones being large, and the entire character of the work like that of the porch of Bishopstone church, Sussex; which see.

323. .—This place continues merely a curacy, and was styled "capella" in (Val. Eccl.) Weever, quoted by Harris, states the existence in this church of a crosslegged effigy in armour.—A preceptory here is mentioned in (Val. Eccl.)—A house of sisters of the order of St. John of Jerusalem was founded at Swinfield, probably this place. A preceptory of Knights Templars certainly existed at Swingfield before A.D. 1190; though the property afterwards passed to the Knights Hospitallers (to whom belonged the preceptory, named in Val. Eccl.) (Monast. VI, 804.) The hospital of the Holy Cross at Swinestree in Kent is spoken of, and Tanner deems it doubtful whether Swingfield is not the place intended. (Ib. VI, 765.) 324. .—Is only a curacy in the parish of Lewisham, the vicar of which place presents. 325. .—The church comprises chancel, nave, north and south aisles with chancels (which are private property, as in numerous other instances) south porch, late Perp. vestry east of the south chancel, and large square west tower with battlements, stair turret, and pinnacles at the angles of the top. This church has been sadly mutilated. The mullions and tracery of all the windows, save those of the private chancels, have been removed. The tower resembles others of the district, but much exceeds them generally in size. A very little coloured glass remains. In the eastern gable of the nave two trefoil-