Laxton
St Michael

Features and Fittings

Altar cross

The cross on the altar was given in memory of one of Laxton’s fallen in World War I:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LIEU’T GERARD CHAMBERS TUNBRIDGE
DIED OF WOUNDS IN BULGARIA, 27TH APRIL 1918
DURING THE GREAT WAR
Former Easter
Sepulchre (now
and aumbry)
As it was
before doors
added

Easter Sepulchre (now aumbry)

In the chancel is the diminutive fourteenth century Easter Sepulchre, an upright niche with flowing tracery. It now has doors and serves as an aumbry.

Lentern Veil

In the chancel is a rare survival of evidence for a Lentern veil, used to screen the sanctuary during the period of Lent. It comprises a pulley, attached to the uppermost part of the sedilia, and a corresponding hook on the opposite wall.

Squint

There is a hagioscope, which gave the priest at the south aisle chantry altar a view of the main altar. It is not datable exactly but may be of the 14th century.

Double piscina

The 14th century double piscina has a central shaft, ogee-headed openings with Decorated tracery, hood mould, and mask stops.

Sedilia

The sedilia are 14th century with crocketed gables and fleur-de-lys cresting.

Stone bracket

South of the altar is what appears to be an image bracket taking the form of an angel with a blank shield (perhaps once painted); there is also a plain bracket to the north of the altar which served the same function. Both appear 15th century.

Chancel door

There is a narrow doorway linking the chancel with the north chapel. It is 14th century, ogee-headed.

Stalls
north side
Stalls
south side

Choir stalls

The two rows of choir stalls are on either side of the Chancel. They are backed by carved wooden screens and dedicated to Rev Henry Martin with the inscription:

In Memory of Henry Arthur Martin

Vicar of Laxton mdccclviii mdcccxcviii

Priests’ stalls and Prayer desks

There is a single wooden Priest stall on either side of the Chancel. Both display the dedication:

To the Glory of God and in Memory of Frank Willis for 40 years School Master and Organist
of this Parish and Church
Obit February 10th 1927

There is also a Prayer desk that is situated in the Chancel and has the dedication:

To the Glory of God and in memory of Charles William Sydney, 4th Earl Manvers
Obit July 17th 1926
From Parishioners of Laxton

A second oak Prayer desk in the Chancel has the dedication:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
REGINALD MARK ROSE
1926-2001
Detail of the screen

Chancel Screen

The chancel screen is of oak, 7 bays, dating from the 15th century, with ogee heads and Perpendicular traceried panels. It is heavily restored, probably in 1860.

“Harrowing of Hell” model

The Rev Richard Camenisch, Vicar of Laxton 1959-68, had this statue made by Stanislas Reychan. He had originally intended it to be larger, and to occupy the stone bracket on the north side of the altar. However it turned out to be too small for that location and so was placed on a wooden bracket in the south chancel aisle. It depicts the medieval story of the freeing of souls in hell by Christ immediately after his crucifixion.

The pulpit The dedication
inscription

Pulpit

The pulpit, in oak, was given in memory of Rev Christopher Collinson:

IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER
BARBER COLLINSON, PRIEST,
VICAR OF LAXTON, 1898-1916

Lectern

The oak lectern was given in memory of Rev H A Martin:

IN MEMORY OF
H.A. MARTIN
VICAR OF LAXTON
1858-1898
PRESENTED BY HIS
PARISHIONERS AND
FAMILY

Pews

The church pews are nineteenth century oak, and probably date from the restoration in 1859-60.

Font

The font appears to be mainly 13th century in date, octagonal, with chamfered roll moulding. There appears to be some restoration, probably dating from the 19th century. However, the base clearly does not belong to the body of the font and appears to be part of a reduced and reused 13th century clustered column.

The wooden top commemorates the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

Bier

A funeral bier stand at the back of the church. It appears to be late 19th century in design.

The west screen Inscription on
the screen

West Screen

The oak screen separating the body of the church from the base of the tower is inscribed:

TO COMMEMORATE
THE SILVER JUBILEE ~ 1935
GIVEN BY THE PEOPLE OF LAXTON.
Carving of the
“Five wounds of
Christ” on the
north screen

North Aisle Screen

The North Aisle Screen is inscribed:

ROBERT de TRAFFORD Vicar of Laxton 1532

and also carries the words of the angel to Mary:

Ave Maria, gratia plena

Amidst the wording is a representation of the five wounds of Christ, a late medieval devotional symbol used particularly in the Pilgrimage of Grace, an uprising in 1536 against the reforms of Henry VIII.

Benefactions Boards

Three plaques on the south wall of the bell tower details benefactions given for the poor of the parish. They read:

SEPTEMBER THE XXV
MDCCCVI
Mr JOHN WHITE OF COPTHORN
Late of Sheffield.
Left 40£, the Interest there
of to be given in Bread to the
Poor of the Parish of Laxton
every Christmas eve by the
Churchwardens and Over
seers of the Poor of the
said Parish for
EVER

T N TRUSWELL

Sculp

Anno Domini
1818
Mr John Hunt Gent. Late of
Laxton Left 100£ the
Interest thereof to be given
to the poor of the Parifh of
Laxton. every Christmas by
the Churchwardens and
Overseers of the poor of the
said Parish for ever.

L Truswell, sculp.

May 9th MDCCCXXII
Mr George Lee
Left 20£ to the Interest
thereof to be given to the
poor of the Parish of Laxton
by the Overseers of the poor
and Churchwardens
of said Parish every ~
Christmas eve for
EVER

JTL

Plan of the
field system
Detail of the
plan legend

Field Plan and Terrier

On the south wall of the church is a large plan of the traditional field system (for which Laxton is best known). On the west wall is a terrier giving details of the acreage of all of the allocations.

Nave roof

The nave roof has a mainly 15th century superstructure with elements of 1860 restoration including new boarding.

Flooring

The carved stones on the floor around the altar are probably medieval. The rest of the floor is red and blue Victorian tiles.

Other Items in the Church

The north chapel Royal
proclamation
Madonna figure