CHANCEL AND EAST END

In the corner on the South side is a PISCINA. This is a little sink set into the wall for washing the vessels after the mediaeval mass. These appeared in churches in the 12th and 13th centuries. Below the Piscina are two 17th century brass plates, fixed to the South Wall. (These were probably originally set into the floor.)

Also in the South East corner of the church is a SEDILIA SEAT. Seats only appeared in churches in the last three or four hundred years, before that the congregation stood to worship. Only the weak and the frail sat or leaned against the wall - this is the origin of the phrase "to go to the wall"! However, around the beginning of the 17th century a bench was placed on the South side for the Rector - perhaps he was getting to old to stand!