Historical Notes on Linton Village
The following information relating to Linton has been copied from the Herefordshire section of the Royal
Commission for Historic Monuments. This was updated April 2011 but not re-submitted.
LINTON BY ROSS
Linton is a parish 4 m. E. of Ross. The church is the principal monument.
ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY stands in the middle of the parish. The walls are of local sandstone
rubble with dressings of the same material and some tufa; the tower and spire are faced with ashlar; the
roofs are covered with stone slates. The earliest part of the building is the W. end of the N. wall of the
Nave, which is of the 12th century; a string-course on the N. face and the remains of a window high up in
the wall suggest that it may have formed part of a former W. tower. The North Aisle was added and the N.
arcade built late in the 12th century. In the second half of the 13th century the South Aisle and arcade were
built, the North Porch added, and the Chancel rebuilt and probably lengthened. The West Tower was added
late in the 14th century and the S. aisle lengthened by one bay towards the W. The upper part of the N. wall
and arches of the nave were rebuilt at some uncertain date. The church was restored in 1875 and the spire
repaired in 1904 and 1913.
Architectural Description—The Chancel (28 ft. by 13ft 6in.) has a modern E. wall and window. In the N.
wall are two windows, the eastern of c. 1330 and of two trefoiled ogee lights with a quatrefoil in a twocentred head and a modern mullion; the western window is of the 13th century and of one plain pointed
light. In the S. wall are two late 13th-century windows, the eastern, partly restored and of two trefoiled
lights in a two-centred head and with soffit-cusping; the western window is of two trefoiled lights, also
with soffitcusping and partly restored; between the windows is a 13th-century doorway with chamfered
jambs and segmental-pointed head. The 13th-century chancelarch is two-centred and of two continuous
chamfered orders; above it are two windows each of a single pointed light and now blocked.
The Nave (47ft 3in. by 14ft 3in.) has short lengths of the original E. quoins visible above the chancel-roof.
In the N. wall is an arcade of three bays with plain round arches, the eastern probably modern and the other
two of uncertain date; the first pier is rectangular with a moulded impost and chamfered abacus on the W.
side only, indicating that the E. arch is a cutting through the deep respond; the late 12th-century second pier
is cylindrical and has a moulded base, scalloped capital and a chamfered abacus; the W. respond has an
impost and abacus similar to that of the first pier. The thick western part of the wall has, on the N. face, a
12th-century string course with cheveron-ornament, it terminates, towards the E., below a quoined angle,
probably of the suggested early tower; above the string and visible on the S. face are the splays of a blocked
window and below it three shaped corbels. In the S. wall is an arcade of three bays, with two-centred arches
of two chamfered orders; the cylindrical columns have moulded capitals and bases; the E. respond has an
attached half-column and the W. respond is of the same section as the arch, with a moulded impost; the two
eastern bays are of mid to late 13th-century date and the westernmost bay is of late 14th-century date, the
junction being indicated by a straight joint over the E. haunch of the W. arch.
The North Aisle (8 ft. wide, average) has, in the N wall, three windows, the easternmost of late , 13th-centdate and similar to the S.E. window in the chancel; the middle window is a completely restored lancet and
the westernmost window is modern; the 13th century N. doorway has chamfered jambs and two-centred
head. In the W. wall is a 13th-century window of one lancetlight.
The South Aisle (7ft. wide) has, in the S. wall, three windows, the easternmost is of the 14th century and of
two cinquefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head; the other two windows are modern;
between the two western windows is the moulded W. jamb and the springing of the head of a former re-set
12th-century S. doorway; high up in the wall is the jamb of a former window, one of a series inserted in the
16th or 17th century and removed at the restoration.
The West Tower (13ft. 3in by 12ft 6in.) is of late 14th-century date and of three stages with a moulded
plinth and plain parapet. The two-centred tower-arch is of three chamfered orders; the moulded responds
have attached shafts with moulded capitals and bases; the W. doorway is modern externally but the splays
are original and have holes for a draw-bar; the much restored W. window is of three lights with vertical
tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded label with one defaced head-stop with a mitre. The ground
stage has a stone vault with chamfered ridge, diagonal, wall and subsidiary ribs, a central bell-way and
carved foliations at the intersections ; the vault springs from corbels carved with a crouching figure holding
a cudgel, a hooded man, a grotesque mask and a beast’s head. The second stage has, in the N. and W. walls,
a window of one cinquefoiled light in a square head. The bell-chamber has, in the E. wall, a window of two
trefoiled lights with flowing blind tracery in a two-centred head with a moulded label; the N. and S. walls
have each a similar window but of two trefoiled ogee lights with vertical blind tracery; the window in the
W. wall has open flowing tracery. The octagonal stone spire has moulded ribs at the angles and rises from
within the parapet.
The North Porch is probably of the 13th century and has an outer archway with jambs and two-centred arch
of one chamfered order.
The Roof of the chancel is of the 13th or 14th century, partly restored and of the braced collar-beam type
with a central purlin under the collars. The roof of the nave is of the same date and of trussed-rafter type; it
has four tie-beams. The roofs of the aisles are of pent-type with old rafters. The roof of the N. porch is of
collar-beam type.
Fittings, Bell frame: old; bells 18th-century. Brass:
In tower on S. wall, to Frances (Rudhale), widow of Richard Woodward, 1622-3, inscription only.
ChurchYard Cross: S.W. of church, square chamfered base on square step, medieval, shaft modern.
Coffin-lids In chancel, re-used as sill of N.E. window, with remains of cross with foliated ends. In N. aisle,
re-used as sill, fragments with remains of plain cross with circles round head. In W. tower, on W. wall,
broken slab with elaborate foliated decoration and cross with foliated ends, in circle, birds in spandrels;
fragments with incised cross having circle round head and foot; on floor, two fragments with much defaced
head and shoulders of figure in low relief, foliated stem below and moulded and crocketed border.
In churchyard against E. wall, a small tapering slab with sunk formy cross; outside S. doorway, with
chamfered edge; by S.W. gate, fragment with part of cross ; all 13th and early 14th-century.
Door: In doorway to turret-staircase of tower, battened door with two strap-hinges, medieval.
Monuments and Floor-slabs.
Monuments:
In W. tower, on S. wall, to John Elmehurst, 1662, stone wall-monument, flanked by seated figures of
women, cherub-head below and scroll pediment with cherubs above.
In churchyard, N. of chancel, to Giles Mason, 1712 -3, head-stone with carved and shaped top ; to Mary,
wife of Giles Milson, 1712-3, headstone with carved and shaped top; to John Prossor, 1712, head-stone; to
James Morgan, 1694-5, headstone with carved and shaped top; to Jane, wife of John Weale, 1689,
headstone with carved and shaped top; to Sarah, wife of James Morgan, 1695-6, head-stone with carved
and shaped head; N. of N. aisle, to Richard Abrahill, 1671, head-stone with shaped top; to Alice, wife of
Richard Bergum, 1691, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to Thomas Cole, 1688-9, head-stone; to
Mary, daughter of John Cole, 1700-01, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to Mary, daughter of
Nicholas Jacob, 1688-9, head-stone; to Joan, daughter of John Jacob, 1711, head-stone with carved and
shaped top; to Mary, wife of Nicholas Jacob, 1688-9, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to William
Apperley, 1685 and John Apperley, 1708, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to James Apperley,
1689-90, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to Robert Foster, 1708, head-stone with cherub-head and
scrolled top; to John Colier, 1684, panelled head-stone; to Esther, daughter of John Colier, 1689, panelled
head-stone to John Colier, 1708, head-stone with shaped top; to George Dobes, 1691-2 head-stone with
carved and shaped top; to Mary, wife of George Dobes, 1691-2, head-stone with carved and shaped top; to
John Prossor, 1712, head-stone, broken; to Thomas Voice, 1706, and Thomas, his son, 1694, head-stone;
to Sarah, wife of James Voice,
1700-01, head-stone; S. of chancel, to Margery Hill, 16 .. table-tomb to Thomas Davies, 1708, and Jane,
daughter of Thomas Davies, 1714-5, head stone; to John Nourse, 1694, head-stone; to Elizabeth, wife of
John Nourse, 1687, head-stone to Roger Webb, 1684, and Mary, his wife, 1708 head-stone with carved and
shaped top; S. of S aisle, to Elianor, wife of William Morgan, 1697 head-stone; to Thomas Ashman, 1698,
head stone with carved and shaped top; to Samue Turner, 1699, head-stone; to Isabel, wife of Henry
Williams, 1700-01, head-stone; to Erasmia daughter of Thomas How, 1698-9, head-stone witl carved and
shaped top; to . . ., child of Thomas How, 1698-9, head-stone; to John Teagie 1698, table-tomb with
panelled sides; to Izard wife of John Teagie, 1700, table-tomb ; to Daniel Teagie, 1690, head-stone with
carved and shaped top.
Floor-slabs: In churchyard-N. of N. aisle, to Moses Ashman, 1689; to Margery, wife of Johr Cother, 1680;
to William Couls . .ons, 1690; S of chancel, to Isham, wife of Robert Ayleway, 1696 to Robert Ayleway,
1689; to Elizabeth, wife of John Barnes, 1706, and another later; with two shields of arms. Panelling: In
vestry—in four heights with fluted enrichment and scrolled band, 17th-century; portion of similar panelling
at W. end of S. aisle.
Piscina: In chancel—in E. splay of S.E. window, with square drain, perhaps late 13th or 14th-century. In S.
aisle cut S. wall, recess with chamfered jambs and trefoiled head, 14th-century, no drain.
Condition—Good.
SECULAR
ECCLESWALL CASTLE, earthworks at Eccleswall Court, about 1m. S.S.W. of the church, have been
much destroyed by cart-tracks, farmyards, etc. The flat-topped mound, E. of the modern buildings, has no
scarp on the W. side, but there are remains of a ditch on the S. to the E. is a slight terrace and to the N. is a
large pond. About 170 yards below the site are a series of three ponds, now dry, formed by cross-banks. In
the walls of the garden are some re-used stones, and above the entrance to the pigeon-house is a label-stop
carved as a man’s head in a bascinet.
Condition-Poor.
MONUMENTS
The following monuments, unless otherwise described, are of the 17th century and of two storeys; the walls
are of stone rubble and the roofs are covered with stone slates or some modern material. Some of the
buildings have original chimney-stacks and exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition-Good or fairly good, unless noted.
Priest’s House, 35 yards N. of the church, was originally two houses. The western part was built in the 15th
century and the eastern c. 1700. Inside the earlier building are portions of three original crutch-trusses and
in the later part some battened doors.
Court House, 65 yards N.W. of the church, was largely rebuilt late in the i8th century.
Fording Farm, house and barn, 740 yards W. of the church. The House is partly of two storeys with attics.
At the N.E. end is a cider-mill with a room over, approached by an external stone stair.
The Barn, E. of the house, has the side walls pierced by two ranges of loop-lights.
Cottages, at Shutton, 360 yards N.W. of the church. The S.W. cottage is an addition probably of early 18thcentury date.
Revell’s Farm, house, 130 yards N.E. of above, has walls partly timber-framed. The plan is half H-shaped
with the wings extending towards the S.W. and may be of medieval origin as the central Hall-block is
lower than the rest and has an upper floor which appears to have been inserted. The main chimney-stack is
of late 16th-century date. Much of the house has been re-fronted in stone and the S. cross-wing has been
twice extended. In the gable of this wing is a blocked window of six lights. Inside the building, the early
18th-century staircase has turned balusters and moulded rail.
Condition-Part of S. wing, dilapidated.
Two Park Farm, house and barn, on the S. side of the road, 1.5m. N. of the church. The House is of Lshaped plan with the wings extending towards the S.E. and S.W. The S.E. wing is timber-framed and dates
probably from late in the 16th century; the other wing was added in the 17th century.
The Barn, N. of the house, is of five bays with aisles and projecting porches.
Cottage, at the Steelworks, about 1m. N.E. of the church, has timber-framed walls with brick filling.
Great Woodend Farm, house and outbuildings, 1/2 m. E.S.E. of the church. The House was probably
remodelled in 1710 and there are modern additions on the W. side. The E. front has a number of windows
with solid frames and the entrance door has a chamfered frame; near the S. end is a slab with the date and
initials 1710, G. and C.B., and a shield-of-arms. Inside the building is a 17th-century panelled door.
The range of Outbuildings, N.E. of the house, consists of a cider-house, stable and barn. There are two old
doors and the barn and cider-house have roofs with queen-posts and collars; the roof of the stable has
curved braces. The Outbuilding, S.E. of the house, is of early 18th-century date and has a re-used moulded
lintel over the doorway.
Lyne House, cottage on the N.E. side of the Line, 400 yards S.E. of the church, was originally two
tenements. The N.W. chimney-stack has a panel with the date and initials 1711, G. and C.B., probably
indicating a repair. The entrance-doorway has an old frame and plank door.
Talbot’s Barn, about 500 yards S.E. of the above, two ranges of loop-lights.
Burton Mill, house, now two tenements and barn, 1m. S. of the church. The House is of L-shaped plan with
the wings extending towards the N.W. and S.W. and a barn in the angle.
The Barn, N. of the house, has been largely rebuilt but retains some exposed timber-framing.
Pinford Farm, house, 520 yards S.S.W. of the church, was built in the 15th century, but has been much
remodelled and the N.E. wing added c. 1700, making the plan L-shaped; the original walls are timberframed, partly plastered and partly exposed. Inside the building part of an original crutch-truss is exposed.
Eccleswall Farm, house, 1 1/4m. S.S.W. of the church, is of two storeys with attics.
Whitehouse Cottages, two tenements, on the E. side of the road,180 yds N of the above are partly timberframed and plastered. The E. part was built early in the 17th century and the W. part is an addition of later
in the same century. In the middle of the N. front the upper storey projects and is gabled.
UNCLASSIFIED
EARTHWORK, 1/4 m. N.W. of the church, consists of a ditch with an outer bank, some 130 yards long
and a slightly scarped platform to the S. The ground slopes away to the N.W., W. and S. Neolithic flint
implements and cores have been found in the immediate neighbourhood, in such numbers as to imply the
existence of a factory.