Church of St Andrew, Ashingdon (EHER 34913)

Mainly 14th century parish church, probably built on the site of the minster built in 1020 to commemorate Cnut's victory at the Battle of Assandune, 1016, (see EHER 13611). The chancel and nave were built early in the 14th century and the west tower was added late in the same century. Early in the 16th century the east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in brick and the south porch added; the chancel-arch was perhaps removed at the same time. The church was restored in the 18th century when the south-east angle of the nave was rebuilt, and again in modern times when the North vestry was added.

Description derived from merging with EHER 13610, 13612 and 13613: July 1957. Grade II* listed. A parish church which is mainly 14th century in origin, but possibly earlier. It has some 16th century brickwork and later (including 20th century) restorations. It is said to be on the site of the Church built by King Canute in AD 1020 to commemorate his victory over Edmund Ironside at the Battle of Assandune AD 1016 (see EHER 13611). The building comprises a 14th century chancel and nave, 14th century or earlier west tower, 16th century south porch and 19th century north vestry. It is built of ragstone and flint rubble with Roman tile and septaria. It has red plain tiled roofs, that to west tower is hipped with gablets. <1> <2> See photos <3>. 1986. Watching brief. In 1986 removal of the wooden floor in the southern third of the chancel revealed a north-south aligned sleeper beam on a remnant of chalky/mortary brickearth layer remnants of which were also visible in the south section, sealed by modern concrete. A brick foundation to the east formed the base of the chancel steps, whilst a four-course brick plinth to the north (unfrogged bricks) formed the north extent of the wooden floor. Neither plinth was trench-built and under loose rubble a mixed layer of mid-brown silt-clay with chalk, mortar and brick chips contained occasional patches of mortar and chalk chips. This became increasingly clayey at 200m. A George V sixpence (1949) was found within this layer, according with the reflooring of this area in 1953. <4> Roman brick in fabric of church. <5> Walls are of ragstone and flint-rubble with septaria, Roman and 16th century brick. The dressings are in various limestones and brick; the roofs are tiled. Chancel and nave are early 14th century; west tower added late in the 14th century. Early in the 16th century the east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in brick and the south porch added. The chancel arch was perhaps restored at the same time. Features and fittings include: 14th, 15th, early 16th century windows; 14th century nave, north and south and tower west doorways; chancel roof is early 16th century; nave roof is 15th century; early 16th century font; 15th century piscinae in chancel and nave; recess in chancel date uncertain; 14th century damaged moulded capital in nave. <6> <7> <8> Church was restored in the 18th century when the south-east angle of the nave was rebuilt, and again in the 19th century when the north vestry was added. Features and fittings include: 18th century window in the south wall of the chancel; bible of 1683; plate includes cup of 1564, cup of 1640 and a late 17th century paten - last two belonged to S Fambridge; Stuart arms on north wall of nave; loose stone in porch has roughly cut sundial. <6> <7> See also <9> and <10>. NRHE data transfer: St Andrew's Church [NAT]. <11> See also <12> and <13>. See photographs <14>.