History Part Three

NORTH AISLE
6ft 6in wide, 14th Century. It is difficult to say why this narrow addition was made. In the East wall is a 14th Century Late Decorated window with two cinquefoil windows - partly restored.
In the North wall is a 14th Century doorway, the 12th Century door is similar to the South door.
At the west end of the North aisle is an unusual feature, a priests' room, an oak framed apartment of two stages lighted by a small 15th Century square headed window. The screen is 15th Century oaken work with moulded and embattled head and rail. The door is narrow, massive and nail studded. the use of this chamber is unknown, it may have been the sacristy and muniment room or a priest's room to accommodate the monk when the Church was served by Prittlewell Priory. The hinges of the door and the trap door are probably original. The lower chamber is now used as the Vicars Vestry and there is an oak bier, dated 1706, in the upper chamber.
In this aisle is a tombstone of Elizabeth Hooker(1666), another with the brasses torn off and an oak table thought to have been used as a Communion table during the time of Cromwell.
THE TOWER
Small, 6ft 6in square. Its position at the west end of the South aisle is unusual. The lower stage is early 13th Century but the upper stage is modern. Either the tower was at first unfinished or the upper portion was unsafe and was taken down. Tudor brick buttresses outside suggest the latter. Timber was used in the rebuilding to avoid the expense of stone, which was imported.
There were originally four bells, three of which still remain. For many years the ancient wooden bell frame had been unsafe for ringing, although the tenor bell could be tolled. In 1984 the tower was strengthened to hold a new metal bell frame and the three old bells were rehung and augmented to a ring of six by the addition of three lighter bells. During this work, one of the old bells (now the 5th) which was cracked, was repaired by welding.
The whole cost of this project was met from outside sources and without calling on the church funds.
The weights and inscriptions on the bells are:
The Tenor weighs 9cwt 8lbs Sancta Gregori ora pro nobis St. Gregory pray for us) (Cast 1380)
The 5 weighs 6cwt 6lbs Sancta Katerina ora pro nobis (St. Katherine pray for us) (Cast 1380)
The 4 weighs 4cwt 2qtr 2llbs Charles Newman made me 1693
The 3 weighs 4cwt 12lbs We praise thee 0 God in memory of Ethel & Gladys Fowler of Cockethurst Farm
The 2 weighs 3cwt 1qtr 8lbs 0 come let us sing unto the Lord in memory of Ranie & May Fowler of Cockethurst Farm
The Treble weighs 2cwt 3qtr 16lbs Unto thee 0 Lord do we give thanks The gift of Mable Free

THE PORCH
Brick 16th Century, Pre-reformation; note niches over doorway. Roof timber was old timber reused-note slots in cross beam. Holy Water stoup on East side of doorway is partly filled in.
DOORS
South doorway, 13th Century, Early English, but has lost its original character being now square headed. This door and the North door inside the church are the most interesting in the district because of the strap ironwork on both. The north door was repaired and rehung as the entrance to the new Choir Vestry in 1966. The horizontal strap of the South door has an inscription in Lombardic letters almost obliterated,"Pax regat intrantes eadem regat egredientes"; "May peace rule those entering and also those leaving".
This ironwork is 12th or even 11th Century, probably the work of a local smith and an excellent example of early craftsmanship. The North door may be somewhat earlier than the South as its ironwork is a little simpler.
The South door has a triangular knocker generally regarded as a Sanctuary Knocker. Recorded in Rolls of Edward 1st, who, when hunting in the district, granted a pardon to a criminal at Eastwood who had stolen three pigs. The man was condemned to be hanged, the rope broke, he escaped to the church for sanctuary until he was pardoned. He was afterwards exiled.

INCUMBENTS
A list of incumbents is displayed on the North wall of the Nave
In Henry Il's reign the church was a chapel to Prittlewell Priory and monks were sent to conduct services at Eastwood, they were non-resident and this may explain the use of the N.W. chamber. At the Reformation the Advowson passed to the Crown to whom it still belongs.
The most notable Vicar was Samuel Purchas, distinguished as a geographer and the second English writer of sea adventure and discoveries.
A record of 1619 shows a man of Eastwood was fined "For sleeping in the time of divine service upon a Sunday afternoon this last summer, and so, sat sleeping until all the people had gone forth of the church".
The Churchwarden's Accounts date from 1632. They give totals but little detail.
The registers date from 1684. In 1762 a note mentions that the leaves were cut out in many places.
An inventory of Church goods made in the reign of Edward VI mentions there were two silver Chalices belonging to the church, but one was sold.
The other 1552 Chalice is still used for some special occasions.
You may care to reflect that, men and women have been worshipping God for almost a thousand years and do so still.