St Mary the Virgin, High Easter, Essex
The parish church of St Mary the Virgin in High Easter is a large church in a small village. The church dates back to the 12th century with additions up to the 16th century. The roof and clerestory as well as the south porch all belong to the 16th century. The roof tie-beams have clear daisy wheels in the spandrels.
[Not a valid template]The nave columns have no graffiti, but two masons’ marks repeated on several stones in the columns.
[Not a valid template]The parish chest has two Marian mark M’s and a butterfly cross.
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The eight-sided font dates back to the 14th century. The sides display carvings of the animal symbols of the four evangelists interspersed with angels, whose worn faces must give nightmares to the Sunday school attendees. The graffiti on the font consists of script and initials on the lead lining and a very faint partial daisy wheel on the stone.
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The chancel’s south door and window beside it have a lot of graffiti, some Marian marks, some script and what looks like possible music on a five line stave but that might be wishful thinking.
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The door to the tower has names and what looks like a fletched arrow.
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The 15th century tower arch piers have the glories. There are names (as usual), but there are also two drawings of women. One is a sketch of a woman in a crinoline. The other is probably much older. The drawing shows the head and shoulders of a woman with long hair or a veil, holding a comb in her right hand. She might be wearing a pleated wimple, which could put the date of the image to the mid to late 15th century. There is also a piece of knotwork, which looks like it could belong to the celtic revival of the late 19th century.
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St Mary’s Church
The Street
High Easter
Essex
CM1 4QW
The church is usually open during daylight hours. There is street parking on The Street.
Report by Anthea Hawdon
(I don’t know why googlemaps think St Mary’s is the URC church, it itsn’t, it’s the parish church)
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