Parish Church of St Peter-ad-Vincula, Coggeshall (EHER 8711)

Parish church. 15th century, restored in 19th century, severely damaged by enemy action in 1940, restored 1955-8 by S.E. Dykes Bower. Flint rubble with fragments of brick, partly faced with ashlar, with limestone dressings, roofed with lead. Chancel, nave, north and south chapels, north and south aisles, west tower and south porch all rebuilt in the 15th century. The north arcade and clerestorey, most of the north aisle, the roofs of the nave and north aisle, and the tower, have been rebuilt 1955-8, and the remainder repaired.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 8711, 8712, 8713, and 25180. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: St Peter's Church (C of E) (NAT). <1> Parish Church of St Peter and Vincula is of flint rubble with fragments of Roman bricks and is a good example of a large parish church of the 15th century. Part faced with ashlar and with limestone dressings; roofs are lead-covered. The whole church, comprising chancel, north and south chapels, nave, north and south aisles, west tower and south porch, was rebuilt in the 1st half of the 15th century, beginning with the tower. Features and fittings include: 15th century windows and doorways; the modern roofs incorporate some old material; brass of John Paycocke, 1533, and his wife; brass of about 1480; brass said to be of William Goldwyre, 1514, with his wife; defaced indents in south porch; indent of man and wife with children and foot inscription, in churchyard south of tower; 15th century door in doorway to turret staircase of porch; early 13th century font; 15th century piscina in north and south chapels; 15th century recess in east wall, externally, with remains of defaced crucifix at back and figures of the Virgin and St John; 15th century mason's marks on all arcades; 15th century sedilia in chancel; 15th century stoup in south chapel; octagonal base of 15th century churchyard cross in churchyard. Features and fittings include: a bell of 1681; 16th century, 17th century brasses. 17th and 18th century monuments; 17th century floor slabs; shield from former south aisle roof, now fixed to wall, dated 1587. Site Assessment = "The building is a good example of a large parish church of the 15th century". Tower and much of nave wrecked by bomb damage in 1940. Rebuilding began in 1953 when a major opportunity for archaeological investigation was lost. Walls were demolished without record and new floors laid. Architecturally, the result is magnificent but archaeological evidence must have been virtually annihilated. Finds were made, including a pillar piscina used as a flower pot in the churchyard. These are rare and this example should go to an ecclesiastical museum. This church belongs to the 'wool town' - nothing is known of its predecessor or how it relates to the nearby Roman building. <2> Monuments include one of 1620 transferred from Markshall Church. Pevsner reported nave and tower in ruins after bombing in World War II. <3> Large, once important church. An unusual underground sacristy was found during underpinning in 1932. Rare pillar piscina found during restoration in 1953. Finds made during rebuilding of the church, in 1953, after bomb damage in World War II, included a fine coffin plate of 1638, now mounted on a wall. Good series of 19th century box tombs in churchyard, suffering from neglect. Headstone of 1672 lying loose in the churchyard. Graded BIIc by Rodwell. Site Assessment = The graveyard is pleasant and contains a good series of 19th century box tombs, which are very much the worse for neglect. They need urgent restoration; and the headstone of 1672 which is lying loose in the churchyard needs to be taken inside for protection. Nothing is known of the predecessor of the 15th century 'wool' church, or how it related to the nearby Roman building. <4> Parish Church of St Peter and Vincula parish Church. Fittings include 13th to 14th century bell, possibly by William Dawe, removed from Frating church, now used as a clock bell. Cross base recorded by RCHM not known now, 17th, 18th, 19th century monuments and floor slabs. Headstones and table tomb recorded by RCHM not known now - unless included in descriptions in DOE listing. Fragments of Roman bricks in the walls. 15th century, restored in 19th century, severely damaged by enemy action in 1940, restored 1955-8 by S.E. Dykes Bower. RCHM 2. Grade I. <5> <6> Roman tiles in church. <7> Moderate quantity of Roman brick in church walls. <8> The church was severely damaged by bombing in 1940 when the west tower and much of the nave were destroyed. Now rebuilt. <9> <10> December 1949. Field visit. A moderate quantity of Roman brick is incorporated in the church walls. <11> March to April 2000. Evaluation. An archaeological evaluation on the north face of the church in March-April 2000, revealed a considerable amount of residual Roman material, including greyware, roof tile (tegula and imbrex pieces). The presence of oyster shells may indicate that a Roman occupation site lies nearby. <12> See also: <13> - <16>