Stafford St Mary in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

STAFFORD ST MARY.

Stafford contains several edifices, the most remarkable of which is St. Mary's Church. It is a large ancient fabric in the form of a cross, and was formerly collegiate in the archdeaconry of Stafford.

It consists of a nave, two side aisles, a transept, and a chancel of three aisles. The transept is 100 feet in length and 25 in breadth. In the centre of it rises the tower, which is octagonal, and 33 feet square at the base. The aisles of the chancel exceed the dimensions of the nave. "The style of architecture in general is the early pointed. To the north of the door-way there is a fragment of the Saxon billet mouldings with fret under it. This fragment is evidently a part of the first building. The head of the western window has trefoils in circles, and upright mullions, which seem to have been originally three quarter attached columns. The aisles are lighted by three lancet-shaped windows. In the nave are several windows looking to north and south, of much later date than any in the church. They have in all probability been struck out long after the erection of the nave, as there are distinct marks of a 
sharp pointed roof both at the west end and against the tower. There are, likewise, some remains of the original perpendicular buttresses of the aisles, some of which on the north side come to a point in front. 

In the south transept is a large window, the arch in which has certainly been altered, being flat, as likewise the door-way under it. This window has, in all probability, been formerly divided into two or more of a lancet shape. The windows in the chancel are in the style of the reign of Henry the Sixth, or earlier. That which faces the east has undergone some alterations in the disposition of its mullions and tracery. There seems likewise to have been another over it, if we may judge from the cell that remains. The arches in this division of the church are elegantly light, supported by four clustered three quarter columns, the capitals being composed of thin laminae. What is singular, in the construction of these arches, is that the columns diminish in height front the transept to the east end, and the two rows do not answer each other, so that no two are equal as to the length of shafts. The present floor, which is horizontal, covers the bases of part of them, arid exhibits the foundations of others. The north transept seems at one time to have possessed a very considerable degree of elegance, from a pinnacle that remains on the buttress at the east end. The doorway exhibits some receding mouldings and embossed ornaments. 
A window which is placed over it appears to be of much later date than the transept itself, on account of its numerous divisions and fanciful ramifications. It is greatly too wide in proportion to its height. The north porch is probably the original one. Round the columns are trefoil heads and bands, and a series of plain leaves constitute the capitals. In the tower, already mentioned, are eight windows, two looking towards each of the four cardinal points. 

The nave is separated from the aisles by five highly-pointed arches supported on four semi-columns clustered against a square somewhat larger than their diameter. The architrave, the abaci of the capitals, which are composed of leaves, some having a small volute, and the flat under side of the arches, are little improved from the heavy massive style of the Norman era. 

The font presents a singular piece of antiquity. It is very large, and of a clumsy construction. The bottom part of it is a square, of two feet diameter, and is ornamented with figures of men or baboons, on three sides, all lying flat on their bellies. On the fourth side is the figure of a ram. Above this square are figures of four lions, which form this part of the font into an octagonal shape. Each of these lions supports an upright figure, between which are four semi-globes. The whole is surmounted by projecting mouldings and fascia measuring three feet six inches across. The height of the font is three feet three inches, and the interior or cavity is sufficiently large for the immersion of infants. In this font are two small holes, one which runs through the centre of it, and the other which penetrates the sides. The inscription appears to be in the Saxon character ; but being much plastered with paint, it is not possible to decypher it correctly. 

The altar-piece, which is of the Corinthian order, is painted ; and the organ is said to be one of the finest in the kingdom. A seat in the nave, appropriated to the three town magistrates, is in the fanciful style called arabesque. It was fitted up in the year 1708, and was the gift of a Mr. Bromley, of this town. 

There are several ancient and modern monuments in this church; the most conspicuous of which is an altar tomb in honour of Lady Ann Aston, and her husband Lord Edward, of Tixall. It is in the north aisle, enclosed with iron railing, which includes the burial-place of the Cliffords, of Tixall. A very elegant mural monument of white marble bears the following inscription: 

"MARY, eldest daughter and co-heiress of James, fifth Lord Aston. Born August 14, 1743. Married Sept. 21, 1766, to Sir Walter Blount, Bart. Perished by fire, Jan, 30, 1805. R. I. P. "

Under this inscription there is a finely-executed figure of a phoenix in alto-relievo. 

"The monument next deserving of notice in this church is that of Sir Edward Aston, and his Lady Joan; whose figures are represented in alabaster, under a large canopy. Sir Edward was the person who constructed the curious mansion of Tixall. This gentleman is said to have been a distinguished knight in the reign of Henry the Eighth. He died in 1567. 

Against one of the pillars in the chancel, stands a very handsome antique monument, which appears from the inscription to have been erected to the memory of Lady Barbara Crompton. Besides these there are a variety of other monuments in this church ; but neither they, nor the numerous grave-stones which form the pavement of the chancel, merit particular description. 

The church of St. Mary, in the times of Popery, was collegiate. King Stephen bestowed it on the Bishop and Chapter of Lichfield and Coventry some time previous to the year 1136, but the precise year is not known. In 1445 the patronage of this church, having somehow or other reverted to the Crown, was granted by Henry VI. to Humphrey Duke of Buckingham. At the time of the Dissolution, in the reign of Henry VIII. it consisted of a Dean and thirteen Prebendaries, as is stated in Dr. Tanner's Notitia. The living is now a rectory in the gift of the King.*" 

The low octagonal tower of St. Mary's Church contains eight musical bells. St. Mary's is a rectory. The Rev. Edward Dickenson is the present rector, and the Rev. Maude, is curate. 

Westward from the church, at a very short distance, there formerly stood a very ancient building, which Mr. Pennant supposes to have been the Dean's house; and most likely his opinion is correct.