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I Location

II General Description

Large church consisting of nave with side aisles, transept, and chancel, all of the 13thc. while the lower half of the W tower, now embraced by the aisles, probably dates to the later half of the 11thc. Restorations carried out in the early 1870s and then again, under the direction of C. H. Fowler, in 1903-4. Romanesque sculpture found in the W tower bell-openings, the capital of the E respond of the N arcade in the nave, and the capital reused now as a base for a font.

III Exterior Features

3. Exterior decoration

d. Miscellaneous

(i) W tower, capitals of double bell-openings

The double bell-openings on the four sides of the W tower have mid wall-shafts that carry cushion capitals. From ground level, it appears that all the shafts and capitals are without ornament with the exception of the cushion capital on the S side, which has a chequer pattern on its S face. Large imposts extend outward beyond the dimensions of the capitals. Unable to take measurements.

IV Interior Features

2. Arcades

c. Nave

(i) N arcade, E respond capital

This capital is semi-circular in shape, but is integral with the chamfered sides of the wall to which the respond is engaged. The capital has roll mould necking which is raised in the centre of the W face to maintain the design integrity of the semicircular engaged shaft below with its raised, vertical fillet on the same central axis. In the slight hollow chamfer of the capital face there are the remains of various sculptural ornamentation. On the extreme N side, there is a trefoil leaf affixed to the point of a flat, triangular stem. Immediately to the right of this there is an elongated zoomorphic form, which extends across the NW face of the capital. An outstretched foreleg is readable and there are some intertwined beading and linear markings on this form, which Pevsner identifies as a 'dragon'. The SW face of the capital has been cut back to a large extent, though some interlocking and linear fragments remain to suggest another 'dragon' type creature on this side as well. No impost; the arch springs directly from the top of the capital.

Dimensions

V Furnishings

4. Other

(i) Font base

This base supports the secondary font of the church and is located in the S transept. The font itself is probably of the 13thc. and its base is a reused capital of around 1200. The capital is polygonal with eight sides and chamfered necking. There are a variety of flat leaves, fruit clusters, and vertical fillets on each side. The abacus has a roll and a hollow chamfer above. The impost has a narrow band of nailhead on face. There are scoring lines preserved on the top of the capital.

Dimensions

VII History

Though Winterton is mentioned a number of times in the Domesday Survey, no church is recorded. The church of All Saints, Winterton was transferred to Malton Priory during the episcopate of St Hugh of Lincoln (1186-1200) and a dedication of the church is recorded in 1203 (see Fowler).

VIII Comments/Opinions

The condition of shafts and capitals of the W tower bell-openings vary. The S shaft and capital look to be original as may be the W and E sets; however the N shaft and capital, of a clean, crisp-edged, rust-orange colored stone may be renewed insertions. It seems odd that the imposts extend so far beyond the dimension of the capital. Has there been intervention on all four bell-openings? The nave arcades, with their use of dogtooth and double-chamfered arches, appear to date from the early 13thc. when the church was dedicated. So the E respond capital of the N arcade must be an example of sculptural reuse from an earlier 12thc. building; but from where? Fowler notes how this capital was already cut back in 1888. There are two fonts in this church. The main font is located at the W end of the nave before the W tower; it is the secondary font in the S transept that has the transitional capital as its base. The church guide notes that this octagonal font 'lay for years in the yard of the Gilbey House and was used for flowers.' The date in which it was given to the church is not cited, but the guide goes on to note that the font was 'mounted on a capital of a pillar replaced during restoration work.' This capital clearly came from a pier of the nave arcades, some of whose imposts have similar nailhead ornament.

IX Bibliography