St. Mary, Ashendon, Buckinghamshire
Description
The parish church of St. Mary is an ancient building of stone in the Decorated, Early English and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave with clerestory, and an arcade of three arches connecting it with the south aisle, south porch and a western tower containing 3 bells; there are two piscinae; in the chancel, beneath a depressed crocketed arch with filial, is a tomb with the figure of a cross-legged warrior in chain mail, the hauberk reaching to his knees and covered with a surcoat; his right hand grasps his sword and his left the scabbard, the left arm bearing a large heater-shaped shield; the effigy may commemorate a member of the Cheyndutt family, and is of the late 13th century; there are also many mural monuments: the church was restored in 1923 and many interesting features revealed behind the plaster; these included a 13th century arch leading to a north transept, and within that arch a smaller one of the 15th century leading to a chantry chapel, together with a squint of the same date; a staircase leading to the rood screen was also discovered: the church affords 120 sittings.
Church Records
The parish register dates from the year 1670