The wonderful grandeur and nobility of the interior can well be appreciated by standing just within the tower and viewing the “long-drawn aisles” through the great western arch. This arch formed part of the scheme of restoration and rebuilding which took place at the latter end of the thirteenth century, when the original Norman doorway was removed and a grand Decorated west front substituted. This had two turrets on each side, terminating in octagonal pinnacles of fine proportions and design, and a beautiful Decorated window appears to have been inserted over the arch. Unfortunately, the present tower obscures much of this thirteenth century work. With this scheme of rebuilding, which was instigated by Abbot Reginald and carried out by his successors, Abbots Hugh and Robert, is associated a curious and unfortunate defacement or destruction of a portion of the beautiful Norman arcading. There will be noticed on either side of the church, near the west end, a high Gothic arch, sadly out of harmony with the remaining arcading. It is said that the architect who was first engaged upon the restoration work was demented, and set about transforming the architectural character of the church. He removed the elegant filling-in of the triforium and cut away the lower Norman arches, and after having thus mutilated two tiers of arches on each side, began upon the third tier on the north side, but was happily stopped in his crazy efforts by the interference of the abbot, and his peremptory dismissal. It is to his successor that we owe the beautiful western doorway and front. This restoration scheme also included the adornment of the interior with beautiful frescoes, signs of which are still slightly visible on one or two of the arches.
Relics and Monuments.
Within the tower of the church are preserved the old stocks and whipping-post, together with the pillory, which formerly stood on the site now occupied by the new municipal buildings. In the vestry are also preserved a number of interesting relics, including a pilgrim’s bottle and the massive blade of a battle-axe which, tradition avers, was Harold’s.
There are many monuments and numerous interesting tablets and memorials.
Of the monuments the most noticeable is the tomb of Sir Edward Denny and his wife Margaret, in the chancel. The knight is represented in armour lying on his left side, the figure of his wife reclining below; their ten children are carved in relief, in attitudes of prayer, upon the panel beneath. This Edward Denny was the comrade of Spenser, the poet, and Sir Philip Sidney, and the captor of the rebel Earl of Desmond.
Near by stands the effigy of Lady Elizabeth Greville, first cousin to Lady Jane Grey, widow of Henry Denny (son of Sir Anthony Denny) and wife of Sir Edward Greville, third son of the ancestor of the present Earl of Warwick. This effigy is all that remains of an elegant tomb of alabaster, which formerly stood to the north of the altar.
On the opposite side of the chancel, near the organ, stands the marble tomb of Robert Smith, a wealthy seaman of the seventeenth century. The magnificent choir which was so ruthlessly demolished by Henry VIII. at the Dissolution contained, in addition to the tomb of the founder, the handsome sarcophagi of Baron Hugh Nevil, Lord High Justice of England, temp. Richard I.; Archdeacon Passelew, and numerous abbots, earls, and knights.
There are three mural brasses on the south wall, one being to the memory of Edward Stacey, one of the lay pensioners of the monastery at the time of the Dissolution, and another to Thomas Colte, second son of Sir John Colte, of Nether Hall, Roydon.
The remains of the old choir screen, a beautiful example of carpentry and carving; the ancient Purbeck marble font; the handsome reredos, and the fine rose window above; the marks of the chain that once held the great Bible, on one of the pillars, and many other features are here to interest the visitor. The handsome stained glass in the Rose window, depicting the Creation, and the three lights under the arch were designed by the late Sir Edward Burne-Jones.
Nor must the beautiful Lady Chapel (the only chapel remaining of five that were originally attached to the church) be forgotten. This dates its foundation from 1316, and is by some regarded as one of the richest specimens of mediæval architecture in England. Its window tracery is certainly very elegant, though this has undergone considerable restoration. The interior was originally adorned with statuary and frescoes, a painting of the Last Judgment occupying the east wall. Traces of this ancient and curious representation are still discernible. The remains of the old piscina are also still in existence. Of the crypt beneath, Thomas Fuller, who, by the way, was for many years incumbent here, quaintly speaks as being “the finest that I ever saw.”