|
at Bay. The register teems with entries of their
baptisms, marriages, and burials. Two epitaphs commemorative of them
remain in the floor. *
THE NORTH TRANSEPT
In the north transept, an altar-recess, carried up
externally to a pointed gable-end, similar to that in the south
transept, was inserted during the fourteenth century. The east window in
this recess, however, seems to be of a rather earlier type than that in
the other transept; as does the external stringcourse beneath it, and
the hoodmould above it, terminating in well-carved female heads, with
characteristic head-gear. Above the three (cinquefoiled) lights, a
six-foiled circle forms the head of this window. On the site of the
altar, now stands the ancient parish chest, bound with broad bands of
iron, and having three fastenings. Its semi-circular lid is hollowed out
of one tree's trunk. South of the east window a piscina remains, in the
east wall, beneath a small ogee arch trefoiled.
From the character of the east window, and of the
piscina-niche, we may be inclined to believe that the altar here was
that of a Perpetual Chantry, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and
to St. Katherine, which was |
|
founded in Ickham Church, by John Dennis of
Apulton. He was
Sheriff of London in A.D. 1360. This chantry, being endowed in
perpetuity, the office of chantry priest therein became a benefice, to
which each successive priest was instituted by the Archbishop. †
Apulton, or Appleton, is an estate south of Bramling, in the south-east
part of this parish.
* On a flat stone, partly hidden by a
pew, in the south transept: --- "Here lieth the body of Richard
Austen .......... Baye at Ickham ......... county of Kent ......... who
had ......... the second ........... M. Vincent ......... of Wymingwold
.......... aforesaid ............ by whome .......... 5 sonnes
............ whereof ........... daughter ........... this life ye 19th
of ............ aged 62, 164 . Here also in her father's grave lieth
............ Elizabeth eldest daughter of Richard ........... was the
wife and widow of Michael .......... by whom she had issue 4 sonnes
........... of which 2 sonnes and 1 daughter ............. living at hir
death. Shee was baptised .......... of May 1615 and shee died Aprill
........... 'Oh that they were wise, oh that they would .......... that
they would consider their ....... ' "
On a flat stone, in the south aisle: --- "Heere lyeth the
body of Robert Austen, son of Richard Austen, late of Ickham, at the
Bay; who died a batchelor the 12th of October in ye yeare 1652, of his
age 21 yeares."
† The patronage was vested in "John Denys of Ikham"
during the first quarter of the fifteenth century. To the office of
chaplain, to serve at the altar |