St. Clement's Ashampstead

The third church on my trip and one I would probably have missed if I had not planed the route by looking at the OS map. The church dates back to the 12th century and unknown to me at the time had some  13th century frescoes which could have been commissioned by Lyre Abbey in Normandy. I only found about them when I walked in the church and saw them. The pictures I took were published on Mural Monday a few weeks ago.

Looking at the church from over the fence it does not look that old

Even when you look round the outside of the church

 Much of the church is hidden from a good view by the trees

The bell turret here is 15th century though I could not say when the buttresses were built 

The south side of the church

Inside the church looking down the nave was when I realised I had found a little gem with the wall paintings

This is the whole of the inside using my wide angle lens from behind the font
 

which I thought was impressive with the inlaying around it 

I must admit to being a bit taken with the wall art so forgot to do my usual tour round

Though I did take some time in the chancel

where I thought the altar stood out with the arches

 The light lent itself to it was well though in this photo the sun had started to go in

The only stained glass was the three lancet windows in the chancel
with St Clement one side and St Frideswide the other

With Jesus in the centre window

The church does have a few memorials on the walls

That I struggled to capture 





there was also the church banner  on display












 

The Roll of Honour for Ashamstead

But like I said earlier the murals took my eye

they were in amazing condition

with friezes along the wall as well

though in places it was understandably faded

I took a closeup with the flash to see the colour in it

Going back outside I wandered round the churchyard

Which was shaded with well matured trees

and well cut grass

I came across on war grave that of
H.J.Cortnell Leading telegraphist RN H.M.M.T.B.48  14th November 1943 age 36

The churchyard on the north side 

A large monument with covered urn on it and an old headstone which looks to be dated 1665






 

There were some tombs in the churchyard

which could be seen as you walked in along the path

I'll leave you with these last few photos from the church which took as I was going

 This carving of a dove was by the Chancel arch near the Pulpit

Below  the Pulpit  I noticed this plaque to Brian Calvert  as I was about to leave

I went outside found his grave  and paid my respects. He used to go to the same pub as me. The Bell at Aldworth which was the first organisation to charter the Concorde. One heck of a pub outing and I was on it. I was glad I had seen his grave RIP Brian
 Have a peaceful Weekend

In your thoughts & prayers please remember those people of Paris who were murdered on Friday night