The oldest part of the Church is the North wall of the Nave and the North Aisle which date from 1150 - 1200
Notice the rounded arches of the North Arcade of the Nave with their distinctive dogtoothed decorations
Of the two windows in the North wall only one is a genuine window with jambs of the 12th century moulded stones
The western window is formed in the head of a blocked Norman doorway
The Chancel and West Tower are 15th century and are typical of their period
The outer doorway into the Tower is of good perpendicular style
In the East wall of the Chancel the window has three cinquefoil lights with vertical tracery in a four centred head
The two windows in each side wall are square headed
The Chancel Arch used to be closed wainscot by a screen having above it on the Nave side the Royal Arms of William and Mary. These were still in place in 1847 when Lipscombe wrote his "History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham"
A blocked doorway to the rood screen can be seen adjacent to the Altar in the side chapel
During the 19th century the Church was greatly restored. In 1830 the South wall of the Nave was rebuilt and in 1851 the same wall was taken down and the present south Aisle added, being built of Cosgrove stone
Near the top of the outer wall of the south Aisle is a stone bearing the legend HPEMEDG1634, which was possibly part of the south Wall. This stone records some major repair to the fabric of the church in that year
Many churches in the locality have similar ‘repair stones' because churches were put into good order before the famous inspection of church by the Bishop of Lincoln in 1637
According to a note by a former Rector, John Risley, in an 18th century register the letters stand for:
Hanc Posui Ecclesiam Meam Dei Gloria or 'Thus stone placed here to the glory of God’
(Conjecture – Does the Nave roof date from this period?
It is certainly not in the same style as the Chancel and the Tower
Was there an earlier roof with possibly the same external profile but from the inside looked as the roof in the ChanceI?
In many churches it is the nave that is the oldest part with Chancels and Aisles being added later)
Affixed to the east wall of the Chancel is a curious monumental brass. It depicts a kneeling figure of the Recd. Erasmus Williams, Rector of Tingewick, who died in 1608 aged 56.
The brass is a masterpiece of the engravers art. Erasmus Williams is kneeling between two pillars. The pillar towards which Erasmus is turned, is the temple pillar and represents his holy calling
The other pillar is festooned with astronomical, geometrical and musical instruments, painting equipment and books of classical scholarship. These represent the learned pursuits which Erasmus left behind him when he entered the Church
Underneath the engraved figure is an interesting emblem. (An emblem being a type of moral or religious verse of the Middle Ages)
Richard Haydock, Fraudulent Sleeping Preacher
Richard Haydocke and Erasmus Williams were both students at New College Oxford. Erasmus became a parson and Richard became a Doctor in Salisbury
But not only was Richard a Doctor, he was also a clever engraver and composer of emblems besides this engraving in Tingewick Church there are two of his engravings at Queens College, Oxford, and one at New College
Richard Haydocke was quite a character. It was said that he saw visions in the night and that he would select a text in his sleep, and discourse on it despite being pinched to wake him up
Generally these sleep preachings were discourses denouncing the Pope and high Church practices. King James I heard about the night preaching doctor and sent for him to come to court to exhibit his powers
Haydocke confessed to the King that it had all been a hoax. After public recantation Haydocke was pardoned by the King, who offered him preferment in the Church
Haydocke did not take the cloth but remained a respectable Salisbury doctor until retiring to London and dying just before the Grand Rebellion
Note Haydocke’s name engraved on the brass after the lines with the words 'scholar and friend' which refer of course to himself!
You can also find out more about him on the Dark Oxfordshire site here or click on the image below
