|
The Parish of
Astley |
|
The
Chancel Stained
glass windows The
east window contains some very beautiful 14th
century stained glass in the upper part as does the window on the south side of
the chancel. Undoubtedly this glass came from the original east window
in the choir of the Collegiate church. Some of this glass is also found in
the tracery of the nave windows. On each side of the east window are painted the ten commandments there are also
memorials to people associated with the Newdegate family. Altar
This
dates from the 17th Century with a Flemish triptych
as a reredos which
depicts the taking down of our Lord from the cross. It was given to
the church in 1905 by Sir Francis Newdegate.
On each side of the altar there is a gilded lantern on a stand each of which
has the lion of St Mark engraved on the pennants fixed to the top. Purchased
in Venice and presented to the church in 1903 by Sir Francis it is said that
they were gondola lanterns. Chancel
Floor Set
in the tesselated marble pavement is a large stone
slab inscribed to the man who rebuilt the church in it's present form, Richard
Chamberlayne. Underneath the chancel steps is
the entrance to a vault which was rediscovered when the church foundations
were being strengthened in the 1950's.
|