Church of St Anne and St Lawrence (EHER 2376)

A 12th century or possibly earlier church built of mixed rubble with limestone dressings and Roman brick surrounding the doorway. It has a 12th century nave, Chancel and South Tower of around 1310, and a South Chapel of around 1330-1340 and later repairs and restorations.

Parish church of St Anne and St Lawrence. The walls are of mixed rubble with limestone dressings. The bulk of the church dates from around 1310, although the south tower was added soon after. The nave may be earlier. Of particular note is a carved oak effigy of a knight in mail dated to around 1310. Other features include: windows of 14th century, around 1400 and early 16th century; 14th century doorways, also doorway of uncertain date (blocked); south chapel roof has timbers of around 1500, much restored; brass of two hands issuing from clouds, holding heart inscribed with `credo' above a scroll, indent of inscription; two indents, one of them 15th century; door in south doorway, uncertain date; glass of around 1300, in vicarage; 14th century piscinae in south chapel and chancel, that in chancel in range with sedilia. The church with its South Tower is of some architectural interest and has been little touched by modern restoration.<1> The N side has a Norman doorway, with a Roman brick surround; much of the rest of the church is 14th century . <2> Trenching 1981-1984 Drainage work around the S wall of the S chapel revealed no footings, which along with the semi-quatrefoil piers may be a sign that there was meant to be something built further S. There is a record of the de Veres building a chantry chapel which may relate to this. The final stage of drainage works consisted of a trench against the south wall of the chancel. The ground was very disturbed possibly due to 20th century repairs. A substantial quantity of medieval floor tiles were recovered from the disturbed area. Other finds included a fragment of floor brass and a bronze book clasp. <3> <4> <5> <6> <7> <8> Site Assessment The church with its south tower is of architectural interest and has been little touched by restoration. The wooden effigy is noteworthy. <1> Church has suffered badly in the name of restoration, not all attributable to the 19th century. The external ground level is high, there is an open drain on the south, shallow gutters around the rest of the building. The churchyard, probably once very attractive, has been cleared and grassed. Little known of the archaeology of the area, save a Roman gold coin find near the church. The church is of great potential and much earlier than it appears. The Norman door is of great interest. <4> Unusual plan: nave is out of square, long chancel with distinct northward bend in both north and south walls; stump of south tower over main entrance south chapel abuts nave. Most of visible work 14th century. Rendering seems to post-date RCHM, nothing is visible of the fabric apparently was coursed. Earliest visible feature is the north doorway, Norman with stone jambs and arch of Roman brick. The door itself is Norman and of great interest (see source 6) for its unusual construction. Parts of a skin covering (cf Copford, Hadstock, Castle Hedingham) survived but were lost before examination was arranged. North wall of nave is only 0.76m thick and could be Saxon. Graded AIb by Rodwell. <4> <9> The church has a 12th century nave, chancel and south tower of around 1310, south chapel of around 1330-1340. Original north door in chancel, replaced by copy door. Brass with heart is of around 1475. 14th century stained glass in chancel south, low windows. <10> <11> The wooden effigy dated to around 1310 is now thought to date from 1345-1360 and could possibly be of Sir Thomas de Weston who died in 1354, but this in not certain. <10> In (possibly) 1989 a replacement post to support the staircase in the South porch was put in. The digging of a hole for this revealed three distinct floor levels, recorded in a section drawing. The present floor level was composed of white brick, similar to ones used in the fabric of the church. Below this under 90mm of soil and debris was an uneven red brick/tile surface 35mm thick. A further 70mm of soil and debris below this brick layer was a layer of crude mortar-type material, the depth of which was not established. The only finds were a piece of metal that could have been part of a hinge or brace and a screw with lead cap. <12> In 1995 two watching briefs took place on the removal and refitting of the floors in the South chapel. two sealed vaults below the floor were identified. <13> <14> <15> <16> <17> <18> Photographs <19> Additional references <20> <21> <22> <23>