An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1910.
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'Reed', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire( London, 1910), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/herts/pp169-170 [accessed 24 November 2024].
'Reed', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire( London, 1910), British History Online, accessed November 24, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/herts/pp169-170.
"Reed". An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Hertfordshire. (London, 1910), , British History Online. Web. 24 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/herts/pp169-170.
In this section
104. REED.
(O.S. 6 in. ix. N.W.)
Ecclesiastical
(1). Church of St. Mary, stands on high ground S.W. of the village, about three miles S. of Royston. It is built of small coursed uncut flints with Barnack stone and clunch dressings; the roofs are tiled. The Nave was probably built in the first half of the 11th century, the original Chancel was re-built c. 1350, while the West Tower was added early in the 15th century. In the 19th century the E. wall of the chancel was re-built, the chancel arch renewed, a South Porch added, and the church generally repaired.
The early date of the nave, the crude mouldings of the N. doorway and the long-and-short work in the external angles, make this a church of unusual interest.
Architectural Description—The Chancel (21½ ft. by 17 ft.) has a modern E. window set in a thin modern wall; it is of five lights and incorporates much of the tracery of a window of c. 1350. In the N. and S. walls are two-light windows, the N. window of c. 1350, the S. window modern. The chancel arch is also modern. The Nave (34 ft. by 19 ft.) has, in the N. wall, two 15th-century windows of two lights, much restored: the original N. doorway, between them, now blocked, has a semi-circular head, crudely moulded and carried on circular shafts with rough voluted capitals; in the S. wall are two modern or completely restored windows, and, between them, is the S. doorway, of late 14th-century date, and of two continuously wave-moulded orders. All the four original angles of the nave remain, quoined with long-and-short work. In the N.E. corner are remains of the stairs to the rood-loft. The West Tower (10½ ft. by 10 ft.) is of three stages with a parapet, embattled, except on the E. side, where it is plain. The W. window, of two lights, is of the 15th century, much restored; below it are traces of a rough opening, now blocked. The bell-chamber windows are pointed lights of uncertain date, defaced.
Fittings—Bells: three, all of 1614. Communion Table: with heavy turned baluster legs, early 17th-century. Font: in the church, modern: in adjoining farmyard, remains of font from the church, decorated with shields and roses, 15th-century, defaced. Niche: in jamb of tower arch, small, shallow, with ogee head. Stoup: in N.E. corner of S. porch.
Group of Homestead Moats (Parish of Reed)
Condition—Good.
Secular
(2–7). Homestead Moats, six; two, at Reed Hall, the others at Queenbury, Fiddler's Green, in Bushwood and in Gannock Grove, just below the 500 ft. contour. They form together a representative group, although none of them are perfect examples. There were probably others in the vicinity, but only isolated ponds now indicate their position.
Condition—Fairly good.