What are the two large diamond-shaped frames hanging in the St. John chapel?
These are funeral hatchments or achievements – painted of the full coat of arms of those who have died. These two are for the 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke (died 1787) and the 3rd Viscount Bolingbrokes first wife (died 1803). There are three other hatchments in the church which are earlier and smaller. Two in the south aisle (near the Nicholas monument) commemorate the baronets first wife Anne (died 1628), and a brother-in-law of the baronet, Sir George Ayliffe (died 1643). One in the chancel wall near the triptych, above the window, is probably for Walter St. John, the elder brother of the baronets father who died by drowning in 1597. –ooOoo– The wrought-iron altar rail and the chancel ceiling The altar rail is elaborately covered with decoration and gilding. It is worth examining closely; it will appear in its true glory when it was been cleaned. In fact one of the falcons has already been cleaned and gives an inkling of how the whole should appear. The chancel ceiling with its painted
