All Saints Church - A Norman Chancel

A general view of the south elevation of the chancel

Having briefly examined the Anglo-Saxon north doorway of All Saints church in Laughton-en-le-Morthen, the next oldest visible part of the church is the chancel - at the east end – and here there is a great mixture of building stones and architectural details, which record various phases of rebuilding and restoration.

A plan of All Saints church

The lower courses of the eastern part of the south side of the chancel, and its east wall, are built out of blocks of Rotherham Red sandstone and - above these – thin, irregularly shaped and sized blocks of yellow dolomitic limestone are laid to a similar height.

A detail of the masonry to the south elevation

Within the south wall, the flat buttresses and the remains of a door jamb and a round window indicate a late Norman date – c.1190 according to published sources - and are built of large blocks of dolomitic limestone, which weathers to a distinct grey colour.

The north elevation of the chancel and the vestry

The north wall of the chancel, although partially obscured by the 17th century vestry, is also built in large, regularly squared and coursed blocks of similar limestone - into which are set the remains of a round headed window and a buttress in the same Norman style.

A view of the east elevation of the chancel

During the late 14th century, the entire chancel was raised using similar limestone as part of the remodelling of the whole church with this stone, including the insertion of new windows to the south and east elevation, with the latter being restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

A general view of the chancel at All Saints church