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Washfield

from

Some Old Devon Churches

By J. Stabb

London: Simpkin et al (1908-16)

Page 247

Transcribed and edited by Dr Roger Peters

Full text available at

https://www.wissensdrang.com/dstabb.htm

Prepared by Michael Steer

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

WASHFIELD. St. Mary. The church consists of chancel and nave connected with the north aisle by four arches, south porch, and embattled west tower containing five bells, dating from 1787 to 1861.

In 1624 the ancient rood screen was removed and the present one erected [plate 247a]. It was erected by Henry Sebright, and is remarkable for the detail of the coving, which is very rich. Originally the arms of James I [r. 1603-1625] were on the screen over the chancel doors [plate 247b], for some reason these removed to the tower, but the present vicar has replaced them in their original position. Over the aisle doors are the Prince of Wales' feathers marked "C.P." On the north aisle wall is a brass with kneeling effigies of Henry Worth, died August 3rd 1606, his wife and daughter with shield of arms, and at the foot is a Latin inscription. There is also an inscribed brass with a long rhyming epitaph and two shields of arms. There is also a very ancient Norman font.

The first rector was William de Berkelay, 1265.

The registers date from 1554.