The Perpendicular Gothic Style Church

A general view of All Saints church

The early masonry at All Saints church in Laughton-en-le-Morthen has a very complicated history, as seen in the jumble of stones and styles used in the chancel and the north doorway, but this church is also quite remarkable for its late 14th century additions being built in one phase - in the same Perpendicular Gothic style and using the same dolomitic limestone.

The Norman and Perpendicular Gothic Style church

It is thought that the rebuilding of the Norman church was undertaken in 1377 by William de Wykeham – a renowned church builder of the time – and there is a good opportunity here to study the architectural styles that, given a reasonably precise date of construction, provide a reference point against which other churches in the region can be compared.

A general view of the upper section of the tower

Without supporting documentary evidence, the dating of historic buildings – which usually exhibit several phases of building and restoration – requires a good working knowledge of the styles of the various structural and decorative elements, particularly the windows and arches.

A general view of the windows to the south aisle

In this respect, my investigation of the mediaeval churches in and around Rotherham continues to form a steep learning curve but, as a geologist, my skills in identifying building stones and analysing the different styles of masonry have been honed during the past year.

A window to the south aisle with cavernous decay and restored mullions

An examination of the exterior of All Saints church, which has been largely been unaffected by polluted air from the steel industry in the Don Valley, shows that - where used for plain masonry - the limestone from the Cadeby Formation is generally in good condition; however, the carved heads and grotesques are severely weathered and the tracery to the window heads exhibit advanced cavernous decay, with many of them being recently restored.

Highly weathered stone carvings to the windows of the north aisle