St. Andrew’s church, Bainton (the second church visited on the Yorkshire Wolds Heritage Trust study day – see yesterday’s blog) remains almost intact following a complete re-build of the 1330s, this much like Patrington church for example. It seems likely that a previous church, maybe on the same site (?), was destroyed during an incursion by Scottish forces in the early 14th century. The re-build was undertaken on a grand scale incorporating a majestic west tower, walling in freestone ‘imported’ to the site and employing the architectural fashion of the time as evidenced in the reticulated tracery of the windows, the tall octagonal pillars of the four-bay arcades and the proliferation of external figure carvings. This work and the elegant and detailed tomb recess in the south aisle would have required the employment of a high status master mason(s), costly logistics and a large skilled workforce.
The Norman font was presumably retained from the previous church.
A quirky section of earlier walling was incorporated into the new-built, this at the south-west corner of the chancel.
There is some evidence of the history of this church in the text of the Meaux Abbey Chronicle (s.p.b.).