All Saints Church, Ashdon (EHER 35427)

A church mainly of the 14th-15th century with some 16th century clerestory windows which are mentioned in a will of 1527. It consists of a west tower, nave, with north and south aisles and chancel. There are chapels on the north-east, north-west and south. Restored in 18th and 19th centuries.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 7134, 7135, 7136, and 35427. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: "It has been argued convincingly that Ashdon is the site of the battle of 'Assandun', 1016 but attempts to wring Cnut's minster out of the present structure have failed". Burials have been found east of the church in around 1830; and remains of a smaller church were found inside the present structure during restoration in 1886, though there is no reason to suppose this is the minster built by Cnut. The bases of the chancel arch responds and the arcade piers are elevated on curious plinths 0.8m high, which have not been conclusively explained. Either they are utilised remnants of earlier walls or they were added to support the pier bases when the nave floor was lowered (was it? - if so, when and why?). Fine late medieval interior but masked by rendering and pebble-dash which has ruined the once decoratively-banded tower. Areas of church are affected by dampness and ground level is high on the south side. Any opportunity for archaeological investigation must not be missed. Church restored in 1886 when remains of a smaller church were found within the present structure. The church found in 1886 is not necessarily the immediate precursor of the present 14th century church - on account of the pier bases and various irregularities in the walls, including some evidence for heightening of the nave walls. The present church may be an adaptation of a Saxon or Norman building, in turn the successor to the smaller church. A church is mentioned in a grant of 1096. Site Assessment: Historically and archaeologically of the utmost importance. Areas of the church are affected by damp and the ground level is high on the south side. Any opportunity for investigation should not be missed. 15th century and later church. <1> - <4> The altar tomb in the chancel is early 16th century. The church is sited away from the present village, near the hall and former guild hall. The church was restored in 18th and early in the 19th century when the walls of the whole building were covered with cement. Features and fittings include: 18th century window and doorway in north wall of the north-east chapel; one of the bells is by Miles Graye 1662. There are early 17th century communion rails, now in outbuilding at the Rectory; plate includes cup and small stand-paten of 1621; early 17th century pulpit, now in barn at the Rectory. <5> - <7> 1988. Building survey. The roofs of the chancel and south chapel were recorded in 1988 after removal of tiling from the chapel roof and the valley gutter between the two roofs. It is suggested that the present chancel is 13th century but it has lost its original roof. The south chapel was added, as a complete entity, in the early 14th century - its crown-post roof structure has survived almost completely intact. The chancel (crown-post) and nave were re-roofed soon after. The north slope of the chapel roof was repaired in the 15th century. In the early 16th century, the chancel roof was reconstructed; a gabled dormer and a presumed gallery or other upper chamber were inserted in the chapel roof, possibly in the 16th century also. Ceilings were probably inserted throughout the church in 17th or early 18th century and were all removed again in later restorations. <8> 1999. Trial trenching. 14m by 2m trench to the north of the church was cleared but no archaeology was found. <9> 2005. Building survey. Various small scale pieces of work have been undertaken in the church and were written up in 2005. Provides some evidence of a Norman or earlier building. <10> See also: <11> - <17>