St. Lawrence Hatfield - The Exterior II

The porch at St. Lawrence's church in Hatfield

When approaching St. Lawrence’s church from the south-east, all that is seen is the late Perpendicular Gothic structure, built in dolomitic limestone ashlar; however, walking clockwise around the church, this first impression is soon dispelled. The C15 clerestory is also built in  dolomitic limestone - albeit slightly pink in places - but the south aisle is very different. 

The south aisle and clerestory

From the foundations up to the level of the window sills, the walling is built with randomly sized cobbles and above this – to just higher than the windows – it comprises roughly squared courses of limestone, with some reused cobbles in the lower parts. 

A detail of the masonry between the porch and the south aisle

Looking at the distinct joint between the masonry that surrounds the porch, it is clearly evident that this section of walling was rebuilt to incorporate new windows. Although different in size, they have the same general shape and their tracery appears to be transitional from an intersecting to a reticulated design – indicating a late C13 to early C14 date. 

A general view showing the upper section of masonry in the south aisle

Above this mediaeval masonry, three courses of squared and coursed pale coloured limestone are set below the eaves, which suggests that the roof of the south aisle was raised during one of the phases of restoration/alteration in the C19. 

The east wall of the porch

Moving on, the official church guide refers to the porch being added in the Middle Ages and the masonry in its east wall is generally similar to that seen in the alterations to the south aisle, with the lower irregular section being succeeded by larger well squared courses. 

A general view of the west and south walls of the porch

The south and west elevations, however, are built of out of cobbles that have been very well sorted for size and shape, are laid in distinguishable courses, and look very different to the pattern of cobbles in the south aisle. Furthermore, the quoins, the dressings to the arch and the west window have very sharp profiles and this makes me think that the porch could have been altered substantially during the C19. 

The south door

Inside the porch, the C12 door is surrounded by masonry that comprises roughly squared blocks of limestone, which are varied in shape and size, but are regularly coursed. This pattern continues in the west end of the south aisle, where there is a small square headed slit window and the cobbles are occasionally mixed with limestone in the walling.

The west end of the south aisle