Church of St Mary the Virgin, Stansted Mountfitchet (EHER 4554)

Early 12th century church, with 13th and 14th century additions. It was restored in 1888. In 1887 the remains of a Roman building were found within the nave when a tessellated floor, flue tile, tegulae, pottery, and horse shoes were found.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 4554, 4555, and 36521. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Mary's Church (C of E) (NAT). <1> St Mary's Church is of flint rubble with stone dressings and one is of early 12th century origin. The chancel arch and two doorways remain from the 12th century church (latter not in original position). Early in the 13th century the chancel was rebuilt, lengthened and widened and the north chapel was added. In the 14th century the north chapel was lengthened towards the east and possibly also towards the west. The 12th century features are rich examples of 12th century ornament. There are 13th and 14th century windows, and there is an inscription from a brass of 1361 in the chancel. The round font is early 13th century in date. In the north chapel there is an effigy of about 1310. There are piscinae of the 13th, late 13th and 14th centuries. The base of the screen at the west end of the north chapel is early 16th century. The west tower was rebuilt in 1692.The church was completely restored in the 19th century when the nave was rebuilt, the north aisle added and the walls of the chancel and chapel refaced. The remains of a Roman house were found during the restoration. The inscription survives from a brass of 1609, there is a bible of 1640, 17th century chairs, a font cover of the 17th century, 17th and 18th century monuments and plate of 1676. There is an early 17th century cartouche of the passion in stone and an inscription dated 1692 records the rebuilding of the tower and porches. <2> The font is about 1300 and there is a monument of a knight of about 1300. The spike on the 1692 west tower and the monuments make it resemble more a Hertfordshire than an Essex church. The nave and north aisle are of 1888, the chancel was much renewed at this time. There are 18th century candlesticks and the communion rail is also 18th century. There is stained glass of 1859. <3> This, the old parish church is about 1 mile away from the town centre in part of the park, formerly of Stansted Hall. Built by William Mountfitchet 1120-1124. The font is early 13th century. A fine stone effigy is said to be of Roger de Lancastre, and to date to about 1310. It was extensively restored by Francis T. Dollman in 1888. <4> In 1887 the remains of a Roman house were found within the nave of the parish church, on the south side. Part of its plain red tessellated floor is preserved in Saffron Walden Museum (Accession no 1919 134). Subsequent finds (in 1891) from the churchyard included Roman pottery (New Forest and other red ware, but no Samian) fragments of box flue tile, tegulae imbrices, horse-shoes etc. <5> Listed as the site of a Roman villa. <6> May 1975. Field survey. St Mary's Church Stansted is Norman, but heavily restored in the 19th century. No further Roman finds have been made in the churchyard according to the Rev T.S. Davies (vicar) and Mr B. Brighton the grave-digger. <7> See also: <8> - <12>