Part 14

If one be travelling by bicycle or automobile, a pleasant addition to this trip may be made, on the way back to London, by taking one small _detour_ of about ten miles to visit Nettlestead, and another of about three to West Wickham Church. The glass at both these places is Perpendicular, but not of sufficient importance to have made them stations on that tour. However, they can be so conveniently seen at this stage of our rambles that they are here duly mentioned. It is only recently that, thanks to the skilful heraldic researches of W. E. Ball, LL.D., the date of the Nettlestead windows has been discovered, as well as the significance of the many coats of arms scattered over them. Recent restoration has made complete the glazing of the entire north side and also of the east window. Note the narrow one at the north of the small chancel--quarry background with a large figure standing on a bracket, very reminiscent of sundry prototypes at St. Neot in Cornwall. The other windows on this side (except the westmost) are rich, almost florid examples of the elaborated canopy style. Indeed, so deep are the tones that one is tempted to suspect that some Frenchman had a hand in their manufacture. The smaller chancel light just noted is much lower in colour and therefore more typical of the then prevailing English taste. This is also true of the westmost or "Becket window," as it is called, because it shows scenes from that martyr's life. The south windows retain their original glass only in the tracery lights, but it is planned to reglaze them as nearly as possible like those on the north side. Nettlestead Church is not easily noticed from the road because of some farm buildings and an orchard which mask it.

If, when we resume our journey Londonward, it be decided to take a peep at the West Wickham glass, one should be careful not to overshoot the church, for it lies at least a half-mile nearer the London road than does the village whose name it bears. The embrasures on the north and east of a chapel opening off the chancel contain examples of a saint standing on a bracket against a quarry background, which we have just observed in the Nettlestead chancel light and also on a former tour at St. Neot. The quarries here each bear the monogram "I.H.S." in stain. The supports below the brackets are shorter than is customary. What painstaking care was used in the manufacture of these windows is revealed by an examination of the central one on the north side, bearing the familiar figure of St. Christopher carrying the infant Jesus. Notice that the little pool of water in which he stands contains small golden fishes; also remark the careful leading of the three tiny red trees in the background. This very attention to detail noticeable in all the panels has much to do with the satisfactory effect of these windows.

ITINERARIES

SHOWING DISTANCES IN MILES

EARLY ENGLISH

(84 miles from London) Salisbury--125--Canterbury--180--Lincoln--135 --York (197 miles to London)

DECORATED

(197 miles from London) York--84--Norbury--62--Shrewsbury--29--Ludlow --24--Hereford--28--Tewkesbury--4--Deerhurst--42--Bristol--20--Wells --63--Exeter--130--Dorchester--12--Oxford (54 miles to London)

PERPENDICULAR

(54 miles from London) Oxford--27--Fairford--8--Cirencester--17-- Gloucester--27--Great Malvern--2--Little Malvern--20--Ross--60-- Warwick--10--Coventry--128--York (197 miles to London)

Salisbury (84 miles from London)

Winchester (68 miles from London)

St. Neot (257 miles from London)

RENAISSANCE

London--53--Cambridge--103--Lichfield--41--Shrewsbury (154 miles to London)

(28 miles from London) Guildford--23--Gatton--20--Knole (24 miles to London)

LIST OF TOWNS

SHOWING DISTANCES FROM LONDON

MILES FROM LONDON PAGE

119 Bristol Decorated 107 53 Cambridge Renaissance 223 56 Canterbury Early English 36 52 Chartham Decorated 49 90 Cirencester Perpendicular 154 91 Coventry Perpendicular 181 100 Deerhurst Decorated 104 42 Dorchester Decorated 124 169 Exeter Decorated 120 83 Fairford {Perpendicular 148 {Renaissance 148 18 Gatton Renaissance 239 102 Gloucester Perpendicular 158 117 Great Malvern {Perpendicular 166 {Decorated 166 28 Guildford Renaissance 236 131 Hereford Decorated 96 24 Knole Renaissance 242 91 Levrington Perpendicular 228 117 Lichfield Renaissance 230 135 Lincoln Early English 51 120 Little Malvern Perpendicular 172 -- London Renaissance 216 75 Lowick Decorated 228 150 Ludlow {Decorated 92 {Perpendicular 92 30 Margaretting Perpendicular 228 32 Nettlestead Perpendicular 246 136 Norbury Decorated 82 54 Oxford Decorated 129 54 Oxford Perpendicular 142 118 Ross Perpendicular 174 257 St. Neot Perpendicular 203 84 Salisbury Early English 30 84 Salisbury Perpendicular 192 {Decorated 85 154 Shrewsbury {Perpendicular 85 {Renaissance 85 103 Tewkesbury Decorated 100 92 Warwick Perpendicular 177 121 Wells Decorated 114 17 West Wickham Perpendicular 247 32 Willesborough Decorated 49 68 Winchester Perpendicular 195 197 York Early English 57 197 York Decorated 76 197 York Perpendicular 58

STAINED GLASS TOURS IN ENGLAND

_With 16 Full-page Illustrations_ BY C. H. SHERRILL Demy 8vo. (9 x 5-3/4 ins.) Price 7s. 6d. net. Postage 6d. extra

_Spectator_: "Mr. Sherrill has written a book which not only proves him to be a true lover of mediaeval glass, but proves also his enlightened comprehension of its evolution and its changing style.... A pleasant and entertaining instructor."

_Sunday Times_: "The illustrations are delightful, and successfully capture the blended notes of opulence and beauty which the mediaeval designers threw into their work."

_Daily Telegraph_: "Mr. Sherrill leads his fellow-travellers by delightful paths.... He is a model guide, and all his illustrations are to the point. It is difficult to imagine how any instructor could pack more fruitful information into a smaller or more attractive parcel."

_Morning Post_: "Is well written, and in a style which shows that the author really feels the attraction of the art he describes."

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JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W.

STAINED GLASS TOURS IN FRANCE

_With Illustrations_ BY C. H. SHERRILL Crown 8vo. 6s. net

_The Builder_: "A very well-written book, with a very good aesthetic perception as to what is best and most to be admired in ancient stained glass."

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_Architectural Review_: "A useful book. Mr. Sherrill has an acute appreciation of the important relationship between the glass and the surrounding architecture, and he has brought the fresh mind of the amateur to his subject."

JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:

Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and intent.