 St Nicholas, Freefolk
The parish of Freefolk has, since 1872, been joined with
Neighbouring Laverstoke, and to the casual visitor the two are difficult to
distinguish. Freefolk is a hamlet to the south of the B3400, between
Whitchurch and Overton, and apparently little more than fields, a few houses
and a church. It is a pleasant area next to the River Test, and the church
lies between two attractive flint and brick houses, with fields rising to
the south.
 The church, which has been redundant since 1976, is
now cared for by The Churches
Conservation Trust. It is a sweet little building, consisting of a nave
and chancel in one, with no external or internal division, and a thin wooden
bell turret within the nave's west end. It is built of flint rubble, with
plaster on most walls, particularly the north, and is memorably finished in
white limewash. The red brick buttresses also add to the effect. The
interior is even more memorable, being wonderfully rustic and homely, and
filled with interesting and enjoyable furnishings. The churchyard simply consists of a small
plot of hedged land to the south, with only five gravestones immediately to
the
south of the church.
 Chronology of the building
The church is architecturally very simple, but there is
no existing feature which can be securely dated to before the fifteenth
century. However, the church may only have been remodelled at that time, as
documentary evidence exists for a church during the preceding centuries. This is
detailed in the Victoria County History:
[The church] appears by a bull of Pope
Clement III, dated 1187, that he confirmed the church of Whitchurch with the
chapel of Freefolk to the master and brethren of the Hospital of St Cross,
to which the church of Whitchurch had been granted by the founder, Henry de Blois, in 1157. It would seem probable that in the following century the
chapel here referred to in some way fell into disuse, for in 1267-8 Pope
Clement IV issued a bull to the Archbishop of Canterbury for the building of
what from the evidence of the
 architecture must be the later chapel of
Freefolk in the following terms:- 'A noble man, one William of Chalgrave of
the the diocese of Winton, has humbly petitioned us, as he is so far from
his parish church that he cannot on account of floods, especially in winter
time and other great risks, conveniently go to hear the divine service and
receive the sacraments of the church, that he may build a chapel on his own
estate and have a chaplain attached to it to whom for his maintenance he is
prepared to assign a sufficient allowanace of his own goods if we will
consent to grant him permission. As, however, the Bishop of Winton is
working at present at a great distance, we trust the application to thy
brotherly care to grant so much as thou deemest expedient (without injury to
another) to this noble man with reference to what he offers and asks'
(1).
A footnote in the Victoria County History to the 1267-8
papal bull is also of interest:
A copy of this bull was found among the muniments at
Herriard and is endorsed 'Pope Clement's bull for Freefolk Chapple 1265'.
The existence of this bull at Herriard is explained by the fact that
Herriard and Freefolk Manors belonged to the same lord in the 17th cent. It
is dated the 3rd year of the pontificate of Pope Clement, which would be
1267-8".
This suggests that the current church may date
from the second half of the 13th century.
 Perpendicular:
The church was either rebuilt or remodelled in the 15th century,
which
probably included the current roof. In
any case, the architectural features, which are all rather humble, mostly
date from this period.
The north and south walls have single-light windows with cinquefoiled heads
(2), three to the south
 and two to the north. The two
north windows correspond to the two westernmost windows on the south side,
and it is possible that a third window existed which corresponded with the
east window on the south wall. If so, this could have been filled up c.1615 when
the monument to Richard Powlett was erected. However, no evidence for such a
window can be seen. Only the south-west window differs slightly in design,
as internally it has a straight unchamfered top to the splay, whereas the
others have a chamfered segmental arch. The stonework of the windows looks
old, apart from the sills which have been renewed. The simple south doorway,
which may possibly be earlier than the 15th century, consists of a
continuous hollow chamfer and looks mostly original
.
 The west window is a plain two-light window with
cinquefoiled heads and a straight top
. The stonework looks mostly old, but
the mullion is renewed, as is the sill of the southernmost light. Inside,
the west wall and window jambs look mostly renewed.
The east window is a three-light window with panel
tracery, but dates from 1904 and replaces a quatrefoil window of c.1703.
It is, however, believed to be based on stones found at that time, so may
represent the 15th century design.
Finally, the simple collar beamed roof is mostly
medieval, with braces and one tie beam.
18th Century: There
is a date stone above the south doorway with the date 1703
. This apparently
represents repairs to the church, although it is unclear how much work was
involved. It may represent the external plaster, and the bell turret, which
contains a bell dated 1729. A new east window was inserted, which was
quatrefoil in shape and can apparently be seen in old photographs of the
church. Inside, the heavily moulded wooden cornices above the north
and south walls, and above the west screen, also date from this period.
 19th-20th Centuries: The church happily appeared to escape heavy 19th century restoration,
although it has required considerable restoration during the 20th century.
The most significant alteration was the rebuilding of the east wall in 1904,
which also replaced the quatrefoil window with a perpendicular style three-light window
.
This is believed to be based on stones found at that time,
and therefore represents a decision to reverse the work of c.1703.
The brick buttresses were also built at this time, apparently reusing old
bricks which include burnt sides and ends. These buttresses are well
organised, with three on both the north and south walls, and two on the east
and west.
At the south-east corner the wall thickens immediately
after the eastern most window on the south side, and appears to contain
bricks
. It is unclear when this was built, but was probably done to
counteract or correct the leaning wall as it tapers towards the top.
When the church was acquired by what was then The
Redundant Churches Fund, various repair work took place, first under the
direction of the architect Robin Freeman of Winchester, and then Penelope
Adamson of Guildford (3).
 Wall Paintings
On the north wall opposite the south doorway are
the remains of apparently three series of paintings, accordingly contained
on three layers of plaster
. The oldest composition consists of a substantial
late medieval (e.g. 15th century) St Christopher, holding a staff and with
an apparently magnificent head dress. A thinly drawn Christ, with halo, can
also be discerned above the saint. To the east of him is what appears to be
a supporter (e.g. a unicorn, although the head cannot be seen) to a painted
coat of arms, which is clearly on later plaster. Below this are the faint
remains of a frame for text, and probably dates from the 17th century. Red
and yellow are the main colours used.
In the sanctuary, also on the north wall, are the painted
remains of strap work, which must have formed a backdrop to the monument's
sculptured strap work top
.
It includes the remains of supporters, which look like monkeys with
agricultural implements.
Furnishings
The furnishings are memorable, and many of them date from
before the 19th century.
 15th Century: The west screen, which was probably
moved from the east end in c.1703, where it would have served as the rood
screen
. It then formed the front of a family pew. The screen has single
light openings with panel tracery in the head, and a dado which is painted
in alternating red and green panels above the more recent white seating. In
the middle is a three-light door in the same style as the rest. The
Victoria County History reports that the whole screen had been spoilt by a
thick coat of paint, so restoration work must have taken place. The screen may well be contemporary with the church's windows.
18th Century: Above the west screen is a plaster
tympanum, with two hatchments and a coat of arms to William III dated 1701
.
Opposite the Powlett tomb is the large painted reredos, which probably dates
from c.1703, and consists of fluted pilasters, a wavy pediment, and
attractive if naively painted representations of Moses and Aaron within
arched panels
. They hold smaller arched panels which contain the ten
commandments, and above them are painted representations of clouds. It has
been moved from the east end, where it would have formed a large composition
with the two other contemporary boards and the quatrefoil window. It is in
good condition, with strong faces to the figures but unconvincing arms and hands. The two
smaller boards, which would have flanked the reredos, contain the creed
and
the lords prayer
on painted draperies held by naively painted cherubs. The text is well
organised, and the panels are also in good condition.
The thin communion rails, which consist of the ends only,
have balusters and probably date from the 18th century.
19th Century: The pine pews, font and chamber
organ are all 19th century. The font is octagonal and plain, with
quatrefoils on the bowl
. The organ is particularly attractive, with its
mirror and foliage carvings, and is a real asset to the church
.
 Monuments
The stone monument to Sir Richard Powlett (†1614)
dominates the church, with its iron railings and central position on the
north wall
. It is very attractively decorated, although a closer examination
of the monument reveals it it be rather unrefined. Sir Richard is
represented by the cold and stiff recumbent effigy. He is on his side,
resting a hand on his helmit, with Corinthian columns to either side, and a
strap work back with
inscription
 plate. The top has a diapered underside consisting of flowers,
and is surmounted by strap work, achievement and obelisks. The
tomb chest also has strap work panels and two kneeling figures representing his daughters
within a recess (4). This was originally situated on the
north wall of the sanctuary, where contemporary wall painting still survives
,
and according to the church guide had also been moved to the new church in Laverstoke
before again moving to its current position.
On the south wall is a marble monument to Thomas Deane (†1686),
with text on a drapery surface and a broken pediment above
.
The chancel has a brass cross on slate (†1863),
a marble tablet (†1895)
and a bulging (lead?) tablet on slate to Thomas Bearse which has no legible date, but looks 18th century
.
Stained Glass
East window only. It is a pallid and sober piece, by J
C N Bewsey (5), in the 15th
century style which, as has already been seen with the window itself,
represents a decision to return to the style of that period. While the glass
is not of poor quality, it is rather cold and serious which jars with the
otherwise cosy and rustic interior. It represents Christ in Majesty flanked
by St Swithun and St Nicholas, and is dated †1905.
Notes
1. A
History of the County of Hampshire [Victoria County History], volume 4, page 284.
Back to "Chronology of the building"
2. Similar
windows occur in the nave and tower at Wonston.
Back to "Chronology of the building"
3.
Information given in the church guide. Back
to "Chronology of the building"
4. Pevsner
says they are his two wives, but the inscription mentions two daughters and
only one wife. Back to
"Monuments"
5.
According to the church guide. Back
to "Stained Glass"
Sources used
- Dalton,
C. The church of St Nicholas, Freefolk, Hampshire. The Churches
Conservation Trust, 1998. Well written church
guide, with much useful information without being too long.
- Page, W.
(ed). The Victoria History of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: Vol.4.
Constable, 1911. Very useful for early
documentary evidence.
- Pevsner, N
& Lloyd, D. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Penguin, 1967
Web links
-
www.churchplansonline.org. Church plans from the Incorporated
Church Building Society.
-
www.visitchurches.org.uk.
The Churches Conservation Trust.
Questions for further research
1. Where
does a picture of the church, showing the east end before 1904, exist?
2. Do any
architectural plans or other evidence exist, which would corroborate the
claim that the 1904 east window was based on stones found from an original
15th century window?
Location
|
|
| Basingstoke & Deane Borough |
|
| Hundred |
Evingar |
| OS Landranger map |
185 |
| Grid Reference |
SU4848 |
| Online map (direct link) |
streetmap.co.uk |
| Online 6 inch map (1876-7) |
www.old-maps.co.uk |
|
