Laxton
St Michael

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:

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:

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:

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.