| <
|
The Tower & Bells
The
present tower is dated 1635, see above the west door, and replaces an
earlier structure. The reason for rebuilding is unclear but looking at
the north and south clerestory and the west nave windows it is obvious
that considerable damage to the nave West End accompanied removal of
the earlier tower. Whether it was caused by fire or collapse may never
be recalled for certain.
The
tower is recognised as one of the best examples of post reformation
construction in the gothic style. It is in three stages. Resting on a
moulded plinth it rises to an embattled parapet surmounted by pinnacles
at each angle. There is a carved string course below the parapet. A
spiral staircase is built into the south west corner of the tower with
openings to the clock room, bell chamber and the tower roof.
The present tower is dated 1635, see above the west door, and replaces
an earlier structure. The reason for rebuilding is unclear but looking
at the north and south clerestory and the west nave windows it is
obvious that considerable damage to the nave West End accompanied
removal of the earlier tower. Whether it was caused by fire or collapse
may never be recalled for certain.
The tower is recognised as one of the best examples of post reformation
construction in the gothic style. It is in three stages. Resting on a
moulded plinth it rises to an embattled parapet surmounted by pinnacles
at each angle. There is a carved string course below the parapet. A
spiral staircase is built into the south west corner of the tower with
openings to the clock room, bell chamber and the tower roof. The final
assent to the roof is very congested and obviously not intended for
regular use! However there is a fine view from the top of the tower and
it is, on occasions, possible to see up to seven other churches.The
memorials in the base of the tower were probably moved to this location
during some previous development in the church. Those to Mary Burnaby
and to Thomas Miller, a barrister and gentleman who was a considerable
benefactor to Brampton and to his friends, who included Samuel Pepys,
are of special note. The War Memorial of the 1914 - 1918 war was
originally the Reredos behind the high altar, but was rebuilt, engraved
and placed in this position. Fragments of stone at the base of the
tower are parts of a thirteenth century cross. There are also fragments
of carved stone built into the tower which probably originated from the
earlier structure.A church plan of 1834 shows a gallery at the West End
of the nave; access to this was by a staircase, the remains of which
can be seen in the south wall of the tower.The screen between the nave
and tower, constructed in 1924, is a copy of the chancel screen built
some 500 years earlier.
|
Inscription
|
cwt
|
qtr
|
lbs
|
|
MAGDALENE (Mears
& Stainbank 1962)
|
5
|
2
|
10
|
|
PRAIS THE LORDE
1600 (William Watts of Leicester)
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
|
THOMAS NORRIS MADE
MEE 1674 (Recast Mears & Stainbank 1934)
|
6
|
2
|
22
|
|
AMBROS (Reputed to
be early 16th century, Robert Newcombe of Leicester)
|
7
|
0
|
17
|
|
THOMAS RUSSEL OF
WOOTON MADE ME 1741
|
9
|
3
|
19
|
|
ALL GLORY BE TO GOD
ON HI 1630 (in F) (James Keene of Woodstock)
|
13
|
2
|
26
|
Click here
for information about bellringing at St Mary Magdalene. You
can see the latest news about our bell restoration project by
clicking here.
|
