This is an absolutely wonderful building, possibly my favourite East Sussex Church (the interior at least). It's location makes an external picture tricky without specialist lenses, I couldn't find an angle where I could get everything in without blockage by trees etc! Apologies also for the gloomy weather!
The present sandstone edifice replaced an earlier timber structure. It dates primarily from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions such as the 15th century tower, spire and porch. The oldest part is the Nevill Chapel in the north-east corner of the building, built in the 11th century. The Nevill Chapel has recently been restored following the removal of the old organ; a new instrument has been positioned in the chancel.
The 12th/13th century nave was originally rectangular with a flat roof and the recesses for the beams are still visible above the chancel arch in the photograph below. The nave now has an attractive wagon roof with magnificent arched rafters, a true testament to the skills of the mediaeval craftsmen.
The north aisle with its circular pillars dates from about 1250 and the south aisle with its octagonal pillars from the 14th century. The roofs of both aisles have been raised, the line of the original roofs are clearly visible on the external gable walls, and also internally in the north aisle above the wall painting.
The fine oak pulpit (visible above) was made in 1632 by Francis Gunby of Leeds. With its decorated canopy and winged bird ornament it was commissioned for the Chapel of the Archbishops of York at Bishopsthorpe. When it became redundant it was brought to Rotherfield in 1896 and installed in the church as a memorial to William Thompson, Archbishop of York. (Archbishop Thomson's daughter was married to Canon Goodwyn, Rector of Rotherfield from 1896 to 1899).
St Denys' is known for the marvellous wall paintings which still decorate large areas of the walls and date from the 13th-15th centuries. They were hidden for many years, and only rediscovered in 1893 during restoration work on the nave. Since being re-exposed they have faded badly, however there are still some which can be enjoyed above and around the chancel arch facing the nave. I have selected two to show here, firstly Doom, the one above the chancel arch where Christ is shown seated on a rainbow with hands and forearms raised.
Secondly, on the left hand side of the arch, is this depiction of St Michael weighing the souls of the departed.
In these photographs I have enhanced the contrast - they are not as vivid as this in the flesh.
The next photograph was taken from the chancel looking west into the nave.
The enormous chancel arch was constructed in the 12th or 13th century and has part of the moulding cut away. This would have accommodated the rood screen which is no longer in existence. It is believed there was once another chapel to the south of the chancel, with access gained through a large, now blocked, arch which is still visible. This arch would have given access to a stairway constructed within the wall which exited through the small doorway still in existence above the pulpit onto the top of the rood screen from where the Deacon would have sung the gospel. This doorway is shown in the photograph below.
The chancel dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and was altered in the 14th century when the five-light Perpendicular window was installed. Within the chancel there is a 13th century piscina (where the communion vessels were washed), picture above. There are also very fine sedila (seats) of a similar date. The oak choir stalls, with their finely carved finials, date from the 16th and 17th centuries. On the north side an early 15th century wooden screen separates the chancel from the Nevill chapel. It is thought this may have been part of the rood screen. I've included a picture of the magnificent lectern in the form of an eagle.
The Nevill chapel has recently undergone restoration during which a stone Tudor fireplace was uncovered next to the Easter sepulchre, the recessed arch where the host was placed between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The chapel roof has many carved wooden bosses including two "green men" and other grotesque heads as well as the coat of arms of the Nevill family, lords of the manor from 1450.
The Octagonal stone font is late Norman and was found by the Rector at the end of the 19th century. It was lying in a field to the south east of the village and was being used as a cattle trough. Although slightly damaged, a small payment secured its return to the church. How the font came to be there is a mystery, however it is noted that Samuel Wickens was Churchwarden from 1814-18 and he was the tenant of the farm in 1816!
The octagonal oak font cover (above) was made in 1533 and bears the coat of arms of George Nevill, Lord of the Manor of Rotherfield at the time. He was also a friend of Henry VIII, present at the Field of the Cloth of Gold, and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.
On the north wall is a picture painted by Humphrey Fowle in 1711 and is of note. It depicts a composite panorama of Rotherfield, although, to quote the guidebook, "without consideration of geographic exactitude." The ruins suggest that somewhere in the parish remains of the 8th century St Denys' priory were visible. Apologies for the flash glare on the image - there was hardly any ambient lighting around the painting.
The step-buttressed and battlemented tower was added to the church in the 15th century. During the 1987 gales, the spire was blown down causing much damage. It was replaced in sections, using a helicopter, and is now constructed of steel beams covered in chestnut shingles. It rises to a height of 165 feet. Some of the original beams were worked into a cross by a local carpenter, it now hangs over the alter in St George's Chapel. The remains of the gilded cross which was wrecked in the collapse are preserved nearby (photo above).
The bell chamber below the spire houses a peal of eight fine bells. The tenor (approximately 14cwt) was made in 1670, the seventh, sixth and fourth were cast in 1603 and the third, second and treble were given by George, Emily and Winifred Burt in 1908, together with the iron cradle which now carries the bells.
The earliest stained glass in the church is in the Nevill Chapel, where fragments of 14th century glass can be seen at the top of the east window. The late 19th century pre-Raphaelite glass in the east window of the chancel is of special interest. It is from a design by Sir Edward Burne Jones and was made by William Morris & Co. The subject is Te Deum, and the delicate drawing of the figures and the generally light, open style of the whole design come together within the Perpendicular decorative stone framework to make a very beautiful window. Sadly owing to the position, size and lighting conditions I was unable to obtain a satisfactory photograph.
The other stained glass windows are of more conventional 19th/20th century design (and easier to photograph). The one on the south side of the chancel, in memory of Daisy Fletcher King is exceptionally brilliant and colourful. It represents the annunciation.
I did photograph all the windows in the building - too many to put on this already very large web page - contact me by email if you are interested in seeing more!
Digital photographs
Visitors to this album since June 2003
If you found this page using a search engine or other link, please use the icons below to link to one of the main sections of the Roughwood web site:
Please do not reproduce or store any of the pictures on this site without asking first.
