Walthamstow

97. WALTHAMSTOW. (B.e.)

(O.S. 6 in. ^(a)lxv. N.W. ^(b)lxv. S.W.).

Walthamstow is a parish and suburb of London on the left bank of the river Lea.

Ecclesiastical

^b(1). Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin stands in the town. The walls are entirely covered with Roman cement; the roofs are tiled. Remains of round columns in the N. and S. arcades of the Nave may indicate a 13th-century building with aisles. The North Chapel and Aisle and the West Tower were built c. 1535 by (Sir) George Monox (see Brass (3); the South Chapel and Aisle were built about the same time by Robert Thorn; the South Porch is probably of the same date. The church was drastically restored in the 19th century, so that there is little or no evidence in situ of the date of any portion; the Chancel appears to have been then re-built. The East Vestry and North Porch are modern.

Architectural Description—The Chancel (30 ft. by 23 ft.) has no ancient features.

The Nave (46 ft. by 23 ft.) has N. and S. arcades of three bays. In the S. arcade the two responds and the eastern column retain a short length of circular form at the base, which may be of the 13th century; the rest of the columns and responds have been cut down to an octagonal form in the 19th century.

The North Chapel and Aisle (18½ ft. wide) have no ancient features, except a window of the 16th century re-set in the W. part of the N. wall; it has one cinque-foiled light in a square head, and now forms a sunk panel.

The South Chapel and Aisle (17½ ft. wide) have no ancient features.

The West Tower is of three stages with an embattled parapet. All the detail is either modern or covered with modern cement, except the early 16th-century tower-arch, which has responds each with a semi-octagonal attached shaft with a moulded base.

The South Porch has in the E. wall three blocked windows with four-centred heads and covered with cement.

Fittings—Brasses and Indents:—Brasses: In chancel—on E. wall; (1) inscription recording benefaction of Robert Rampston, 1585; (2) achievement of arms of Monox, 16th-century. On E. respond of N. arcade—(3) of (Sir) George Monox, 1543, Lord Mayor of London, and Ann, his wife, 1500, kneeling figures of man in fur gown with chain, and of woman with pedimental head-dress, four shields of arms: (a) City of London, (b) Drapers' Company, (c) City of Bristol, (d) Monox with a chief charged with a martlet between two anchors, two scrolls and indent of one shield. On E. respond of S. arcade—(4) to [Thomas] Hale, .... 1588, inscription only; (5) figure of man in fur-lined cloak, late 16th-century, palimpsest on back, part of figure of civilian, c. 1450; (6) to Henry Crane, vicar of the parish, 1436, inscription only. In N. chapel—on E. wall; (7) to William Rowe, 1596, inscription only. Indents: In nave— (1) of figures of man and wife and inscription-plate, probably of brass (4); (2) of figure, inscription-plate and shield, probably of brass (5). Font: of white veined marble, circular moulded and fluted bowl, baluster stem (Plate p. xxxii), inscription round rim, "Hoc Baptisterium una cum serico mensae sacrae ac pulpiti velamento pie obtulit Fran. Eyles Alderm. Lond. A.D. MDCCXIV." Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—on E. wall: (1) to Henry Maynard, 1686, his brothers Henry and Sir William Maynard, Bart., 1685, and Mary (Corselis), their mother, marble tablet with segmental pediment and side pilasters, each with a standing cherub, one shield of arms; (2) of Mary, wife of Sir Thomas Merry, 1632, marble wall-monument (Plate p. 251), by Nicholas Stone, containing in two oval recesses busts of man in armour and wife, below, heads in relief of two sons and two daughters, enriched spandrels, entablature and segmental pediment, cartouche and shield of arms. In N. aisle—against E. wall: (3) to Nicholas, 1688, John, 1688–9, and Margaret, 1694, children of Capt. John Bonnell, stone moulded sarcophagus with festooned sides and shaped and fluted top; against N. wall: (4) of Lady Lucie (Percy), wife of Sir Edward Stanley, c. 1630, marble monument in form of a triumphal arch with panelled pilasters and entablature, under arch, kneeling figure of lady at prayer-desk with coronet, cloak, etc.; above cornice, cartouche of arms flanked by kneeling figures of two daughters; in front of base, similar figures of two daughters, iron rail in front with ornamental standards; monument formerly stood free of wall and figures on cornice are not in situ. In N. gallery—on E. wall: (5) to Capt. John Bonnell, 1702–3, and Mary (Morice), his wife, 1691, marble tablet with drapery and three shields of arms (part of monument 3); on N. wall; (6) to Henry Birchenhead, 1656, black marble tablet with drapery, cherubs and shield of arms. In S. aisle— on S. wall: (7) to William Conyers, 1659, black marble tablet with alabaster architrave; against W. wall: (8) of Sigismund Trafford, 1723, Susannah, his wife, 1689, and an infant daughter, large marble wall-monument with figures in Roman costume, urns, drapery and cartouche of arms, in front, wrought iron railing with twisted standards. In S. gallery— on E. wall: (9) to Tristram Conyers, 1684, and Winifred (Gerard), his wife, 1694, marble tablet with cherub-heads, cornice, and shield of arms; on S. wall; (10) to Antony Lowther, 1692, and others later, marble tablet with Doric pilasters, entablature and cartouche of arms. In church-yard—(11) to Dinah Beale, 1703, table-tomb with cartouche of arms; (12) to Thomas Turner, 1714, table-tomb; (13) to William Tharp, 170–, headstone with skull and cross bones. Floor-slabs: In chancel—(1) to Archer Martin, of Jamaica, 1707; (2) to William Pierce, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1670; (3) to Paul Darby, 1699, with shield of arms. In nave—(4) to Benjamin Batten, 1684, with shield of arms. In N. wall—(5) to Anne (Pyott), wife of Edward Darell, 1684, with shield of arms; (6) to Susan, 1715, and Elizabeth Samms, 1711, with lozenge of arms; (7) to Ann, daughter of John Bagshaw, 1700, with lozenge of arms. In S. aisle— (8) to Mary, wife of John Conyers, 1701–2, and Tristram, their son, 1711; (9) to Peter Lennards, 1647; (10) to Jeremiah Stokes, 1708, Elizabeth, his wife, 1707, and Richard, 1696, and Basil, 1710, their sons, with shield of arms; (11) to Margaret, wife of John Trafford, 1665, and Edmund, their son, 1681, with shield of arms. Plate: includes cup and stand-paten, two flagons and alms-dish, 1685, given in 1686, cup of 1680; paten probably of the same date; all with Maynard achievement and crest; alms-dish of 1683. Stoup: on N. wall of S. porch. Miscellanea: On N.W. buttress of W. tower— round stone panel with carved Agnus Dei, probably 15th-century. In N. aisle—against N. wall, old Corinthian marble capital, re-used in monument of Anne Wainwright, 1717.

Condition—Good, much altered.

Secular

^b(2). Homestead Moat, in Recreation Ground 1,100 yards N.W. of the parish church. The wide rectangular moat encloses two fish-ponds.

^b(3). Essex Hall, house and stables, 1½m. N.W. of the parish church. The House is of three storeys, the walls are of brick and the roofs are covered with tiles and slates. It was built early in the 17th century, but was shortened and a new front built on the E. side in the 18th century. The elevations have been much altered, but original windows with solid frames, mullions and transoms remain on the N., S. and W. sides. Inside the building most of the ground floor rooms have panelling of various dates, with some original strapwork ornament. The dining-room has an original fireplace and overmantel (Plate p. 247), re-set; it has fluted Ionic pilasters and enriched panelling. The staircases have some original turned balusters and newels. On the first floor is an original doorway, flanked by fluted Ionic pilasters, standing on panelled pedestals. Other rooms have panelling of various dates and some original and later panelled doors.

The Stables, N.W. of the house, are of brick, with a weather-boarded upper storey. The lower part is probably of the 17th century, and the garden wall on the N. and E. sides is probably of the same date.

Condition—Good.

^b(4). Almshouses (Plate p. 270), on the N. side of the parish churchyard, are of two storeys; the walls are of brick and the roofs are tiled. A Grammar School was founded on the site in 1527 by Sir George Monox, and the W. wall and gable of the existing building is probably of that date. The rest of the structure was re-built c. 1700, and forms a long narrow range with a small cross-wing near the middle. The original W. end has a projecting chimney-stack on moulded corbelling and tabled back at each side in the gable; on either side are windows with four-centred heads. The S. front has a brick band between the storeys. The upper storey of the cross-wing projects on this side, and above the door of one of the houses is a 17th-century inscription recording the Monox foundation. Inside the building the W. part of the first floor forms one large room with queen-post roof-trusses, partly modern. The cross-wing has a fireplace with a moulded architrave of c. 1700. Other rooms have plain doors and partitions, perhaps of the same date.

Condition—Good.

Monuments (5–11).

The following monuments, unless otherwise described, are of the 17th-century, and of two storeys, timber-framed and plastered or weather-boarded; the roofs are tiled. Several buildings have original chimney-stacks and exposed ceiling-beams.

Condition—Good, or fairly good, unless noted.

^b(5). House, now shops and tenements, in Church Lane, 60 yards S. of the parish church. The upper storey projects on the N. front and has a gable at each end.

High Street, N. side

^b(6). House (Nos. 273 and 275), at the W. corner of Hoe Street, is of two storeys with attics and cellars; the walls are of brick and have a modillioned eaves-cornice. In the roof are three dormer windows.

^b(7). Vintry Works, formerly Cheshunt House, house 200 yards W. of (6), is of two storeys with attics and cellars. The walls are of brick. It was built c. 1700, on a half H-shaped plan with the wings extending towards the S. The S. front has a modillioned eaves-cornice and an entrance doorway with a cornice resting on consoles. Inside the building are remains of original cornices and panelling, and a fireplace with a moulded architrave. The upper part of the eastern staircase is original and has twisted balusters and a close string.

Condition—Poor.

Hoe Street South, E. side

^b(8). Court House (No. 317), ½ m. S.S.W. of the parish church, is of two storeys with attics and cellars. The walls are of brick. It was built c. 1700, and has a brick band of oversailing courses between the storeys and a modillioned eaves-cornice. The middle window in front has a rubbed brick architrave with a mask key. The doorway (Plate p. 80) has a carved architrave and a panelled hood supported on carved consoles. Inside the building most of the rooms have original panelling and cornices, the fire-places generally have moulded architraves and shelves, and the doors and doorways on the first floor are also original. The main staircase is original and has turned and twisted balusters and close strings.

^b(9). Lowhall Farm, house and granary, 400 yards N.W. of St. Saviour's church. The House has modern additions on the S.E. side. The doorway on the N.W. side has a hood with shaped brackets of c. 1700.

The Granary, N.E. of the house, is of late 17th or early 18th-century date.

^b(10). Moon's Farm, house and barn, about 1 m. N.N.W. of the parish church. The House has been partly refaced with brick.

The Barn, S. of the house, is of four bays with aisles.

^a(11). Salisbury Hall Farm, house 600 yards E.N.E. of (10), was built late in the 16th or early in the 17th century. Inside the building are a corner cupboard and two doors of c. 1700.

^b(12). Glass, at Forest School, nearly 1 m. E. of the parish church. The two glass panels, now fixed in the chapel, and a class-room, are said to have been brought from Howden Collegiate Church (Yorkshire). The panel in the chapel consists of late 13th or early 14th-century grisaille with a border of oak leaves; in the head are two eagles, with their necks extended upwards. (Plate p. xxxvii). The second panel has the early 14th-century figure of an ecclesiastic with a censer; the head is of the 15th-century; above is a canopy of tabernacle work, and below is a panel made up of fragments.