Country Churches

105. Braemore

This exceptionally fine church a few miles north of Fordingbridge stands surrounded by trees in Braemore Park on the outskirts of the village.

Built in 980 it is one of the finest Saxon churches in the county. Over 96 feet long it consists of a chancel, and aisleless nave separated by a square central tower containing four bells. The walls are of flint.

The entrance porch contains a rare Saxon Rood showing the figure of Christ on the Cross bent by suffering. The standing figures of Mary and John have been badly mutilated. Above the head of Christ the Hand of God comes down from a cloud. There is a background of a rolling landscape. On the west wall the hanging figure of Judas can be seen and on the east side a circular medallion containing an Agnus Dei. Also in the porch are benches dated 1617 as well as a large board listing all the men from the village who served in the Great War.

Under the gallery at the west end the history of the church and parish is displayed on three beautifully inscribed calligraphic parchments with illustrations reminiscent of medieval manuscripts. They make a fine modern addition to an ancient church.

The north wall of the nave is windowless. Opposite the entrance door is a detailed War Memorial to the men of Braemore, South Charfood and Wood Green killed in the First World War with the inscription ‘In glory will they sleep and endless sanctity’. Above is a stained glass window on the theme ‘The battle is the Lords. He maketh peace’. Alongside hangs the banner of the Old Contemptibles Association commemorating the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Mons and the early battles around Ypres in 1914.

Around the central tower are a number of military memorials to members of the Hulse family such as Captain Sir Edward Hulse of the Scots Guards killed at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. Also Captain Charles Western Hulse killed at Braklaggte South Africa in 1901 whilst leading the 4th Imperial Yeomanry. Close by is a window in his memory depicting St Michael and St Gabriel and including the badge of the Imperial Yeomanry. The central tower is full of funeral hatchments as well as a window commemorating Becket and Edward the Confessor. Another memorial is to Mercy Holloway who died on October 1 1748 at the ripe old age of 99.

Saxon double splayed windows remain whilst a very rare Anglo-Saxon inscription (probably dating from the reign of Ethelred II (979-1016) can be seen around the semi-circular arch leading into the south transept. It reads ‘Her Swutelath Seo Gecwydraednes’. This translates ‘Here is made plain the covenant (the Word) to thee’.

Mutilated wall paintings can be seen on the walls surrounding the altar. In the south wall of the nave is a 15th century piscina and a 14th century priests door. On a wooden ledge in the tower a modern touch is provided by a bronze sculpture showing the Flight into Egypt made by Annette Yarrow in 1980.

Certainly this is a church in which to linger and it can be combined with a visit to the Elizabethan Braemore House in the park nearby.

John Symonds