St James’s Parish Church

this is a very old church and quite picturesque. It is famous for having an anchorite during the 14^th century, Christine Carpenter, about whom several movies have been made. The church has also been used in filming many movies so it may seem familiar right away.

This large village church stands near the centre of the
picturesque village of Shere, nestled in a valley close to the ridge of the
North Downs. The nave and lower stages of the tower are Norman, built
around 1150 – 90, to which a large south aisle was added in the 13^th
century. The church was lengthened in the early 14^th century, from
which period the chancel also dates. The fine north transept window of
Curvilinear tracy is 15^th century, and the churchyard lych gate is
by Lutyens. The outside is dominated by the robust tower, which carries
an equally robust broach spire. The south side has a fine Norman door, but the
main entrance today is through the west entrance, which has a fine (and heavy)
17^th century panelled door, and leads under an 18^th century west gallery. Inside, the elegant arcade of octagonal piers separates the
nave from the south aisle that is so large is feels like a double nave. The
arches through to the chancel are early 14^th century replacements,
but there is a fine 13^th century arch between the south aisle and
south chapel with detached marble shafts. The fixtures and fittings are of particular interest.
Several windows have fragments of mediaeval glass, and the font of Purbeck
marble, with a central stem and four corner shafts, dating to around 1170. The church has some notable brasses: the
oldest, dated 1417, is of the rector, Robert Scarlyff, wearing his vestments; on
the floor is a large memorial to John Touchet, Lord Audley, (1423 – 1490). He lies
resplendent in full plate armour. Close by is a brass to John Redford (d. 1516)
and his wife, with his six children in mourning. On the wall of Lady Chapel is
a small brass of a lady, dated 1520. However, of more curious interest is the squint and
quatrefoil window on the north wall of the chancel, originally openings to the
cell of an anchorite, Christine Carpenter. Anchorites were hermits, often
devout teenage girls, walled up (until death) in cells attached to churches.
They prayed and gave advice and in return were given food and provided with the
sacraments. Christine was interred in 1329, but seems to have left and was ordered
to return on ‘pain of death’ in 1332.