Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Steeple Bumpstead (EHER 29569)

Parish church dating to 11th century and later. It is constructed of flint rubble and red brick with dressings of limestone and clunch. The roof is of lead and handmade red clay tiles. General restoration work was carried out around 1880, with other alterations being carried out in 19th century.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 1619, 1620, 1621, and 29569. Walls are of flint rubble and red brick with dressings of limestone and clunch. The 2 lower stages of the west tower are late 11th century. The plan of the chancel is possibly contemporary with the tower. The south aisle and the south porch are probably 14th century. The nave south arcade is dates to around 1400, the north arcade with the north aisle were rebuilt later in the 15th century. Early in the 16th century the east half of the tower's upper part was rebuilt, the clerestory was added and the walls of the south aisle and the south porch were heightened, all in red brick. The south aisle roof is a rich example of early 16th century work. The scratched 14th and 15th century inscriptions in the church are noteworthy according to this source. The church was generally restored c1880 when the chancel walls were largely refaced, and the north vestry and organ chamber added. Nave roof of 4 bays, probably 1747-the date inscribed on the west wall, over the tower arch. One bell is of 1653, a brass is of 1672, a chest is early 17th century, a communion table is of c1700, there are 16th and 17th century doors, 16th century monuments and 17th and 18th century floor slabs. Plate includes 2 flagons of 1634, 2 cups and 3 patens of 1712. Seating-old panelling in parts, the back of a pew is inscribed with the date 1568. A funeral helm is of the late 16th century. The 8th century bronze boss on the chancel door is remarkable. It is on the south door of the chancel, is "gilt, with panels of interlacing and other ornament, four small fishes in relief and sockets for eighteen jewels, probably Irish work, 8th century". "There was here a remarkably large 11th century church". The west tower and chancel belonged to it. Most of the external features are due to restoration in 1880. In the north aisle are still 2 reliable windows, they look to be late 14th or early 15th century in date. <1> Most of the exterior features date to the 1880 restoration. Two benches in the nave with panelling dated 1568. A first-rate monument of 1717. <2> Large, aisled church with west tower, partly Norman, usually taken as 11th century, chancel probably of the same date, nave also, possibly-"in which case we have here a large church for the period, and one which must have been important". Archaeology needed to show if there were ever transepts or aisles as the 14th century aisles have removed the sides of the nave. Many fragments of stone mouldings reused in the south porch fabric, including Norman rolls. The inner face of the chancel door has a bronze boss, it once held a closing ring -its origin has been variously attributed to an 8th century object of Irish origin and a 15th century censer top". Church graded AAIIa by Rodwell. On the inner face of the chancel door "is an unusual bronze boss which once held a closing ring, its origin has been variously attributed to an 8th century object of Irish origin and a 15th century censer top". The churchyard stands well above its surroundings, the ground level is high around the building, there is no open drain, but the ground was scarped a little in the 19th century. Internal dampness not great except in the south aisle where a floor has collapsed. A valuable opportunity for investigation here. Churchyard partly tidied, not wrecked. Contains a noteworthy series of 18th and early 19th century gravestones. Inside the church, "a superlative monument of 1717". <3> 19th century windows and the south door is possibly 14th century. "A notable collection of medieval graffiti". <4> See also: <5> - <8> NRHE data transfer: An 8th century Irish bronze-gilt boss was attached to the inside of the south chancel door. It was apparently discovered at the east end of the church during the construction of a vault. In February 1976 the boss was exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries by Sir W. St John Hope. It is recorded that the boss was subsequently purchased by M. Rosenheim and donated to the British Museum. <9> The boss is stated to be in the British Museum. <10> The church tower is described as doubtfully Saxon, or of late 11th century date. <11> Description and dating of church which accords with <4>. It is also recorded that the bronze boss - described as either of 8th century date and Irish origin, or as a 15th century censer top - is attached to the chancel door. <12> It appears that the Bronze-gilt boss must have been returned to the church at some date between 1916 and 1977. <13> Description of graffiti in the church. One example (a hat) dates to 1301. <14> See also: <15> <16>