bardfield saling church, essex

remains of a very large ornate late c14 niche, unmentioned by pevsner. locally, it is claimed that this must have been a shrine standing in an apse to the east of the church, accessible via two archways in the east wall of the chancel, but this sounds unlikely. the chancel was the priest's domain, screened off from the nave, and would not be open to the public. such a design would be unique, indeed, english c14 parish churches with apses can be counted on one hand. if the two arches seen in the old east wall in old photos are mediaeval and in situ, it is more likely that they screened a square ended vestry, as can be seen at many churches of this period. these stones obviously were part of a large canopy, but it is more likely that this was over a niche for a statue of the patron saint. a bit of excavation at the east end, where tiles have come to light, would help find the original east wall. .