Detail of certain features
There are many interesting features in and around the church. There is a large marble monument to Baron Raymond of Langleybury, Lord Chief Justice of England from 1724 to 1732. This was erected during his life time in the Mortuary Chapel; it is now located at the west end of the south aisle. At the west end of the north aisle there is a similar monument to Lord Raymond’s son; this was erected in 1756.
| The Font The Font was moved to the East end of the North Aisle in 1970 during the restoration after the fire. It dates from 1400 and is regarded as one of the best of its period in the country. The eight sides are decorated alternately with the symbols of the four evangelists and symbols connected with baptism. |
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On the east end of the north wall of the north aisle by the font, is a fine brass of Stuart times showing Thomas Cogdell, who died in 1607, with his two wives. In the same location there is The Table of Commandments; an Act of James I required that such a table be set up in every church. On the wall to each side of the east window of the Corpus Christi Chapel, are medieval wall paintings which were uncovered during restoration work in 1935. Other wall decoration was also uncovered at this time, but was found to be in a very dilapidated condition.
| Norman Pillar and Arches The central pillar in the Nave North Arcade was built in the 12th century; it has a circular column with a square capital which in turn has a plain abacus and a scalloped necking. The arches are semicircular and composed of a label or hood mould and two receding orders; the outer order has a row of horizontal zigzag and the inner order is plain. The under surface of the label has a series of billets disposed at regular intervals round the arch. |
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There is a small fragment of 15th century English glass showing the patron saint, St Lawrence, this can be seen in the east window of the north wall to the chancel. Over the south door is a Stuart coat of arms, dating from 1678 in the reign of Charles II. This was originally located over the false chancel arch; an Act in the time of James I decreed that churches should have a royal coat of arms in this position.
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The Skew Arch This was a single 16th century arch, originally built to connect the nave with the Corpus Christi Chapel which was then the chancel. The walls of the nave and the present chancel are out of line so the connecting arch was built on the skew. In 1975 it was discovered that the Skew Arch was unsafe; the reinforced concrete pillar in the centre was designed to harmonise with its surroundings. |
A tablet to Nicholas Breakspeare is located in the South Aisle; it shows the arms of Breakspeare, the Papal crown and the arms of St. Peter. It is believed that Breakspeare was baptised and made his first communion in St Lawrence church. He was born within the Parish, was refused admission to the Monastery of St Albans due to lack of learning, studied in Paris and became the only English Pope in 1154 when he was appointed Pope Adrian IV.
| The Norman Lancet in the North Aisle This Norman Lancet is located at the west end of the north aisle. It has been blocked off on the inside and is concealed by the monument to Lord Raymond’s son. This is probably the oldest window in the church and is built in a section of Norman wall. |
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A monument to Mrs Anne Coome is located in the Corpus Christi Chapel and bears the date 1640. It shows the stone figure of the "praying lady", flanked with Corinthian columns of Purbeck marble, the capital gilded and the monument decorated with an illuminated coat of arms. This lady lived in the Manor House, and was the wife of Francis Coombe, who left the Manor of Abbots Langley to Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge and Trinity College, Oxford.
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Exfoliation of Clunch A photograph of 1897 shows the stonework in perfect condition. The walls have not been limewashed since 1911. The lime mortar was repointed in cement mortar in 1935. The impervious cement mortar has prevented evaporation through the lime mortar joints and has caused the moisture in the walls to migrate through the stone resulting in severe frost damage to the face of the stonework. This deterioration is ongoing. The present damage is due to the previous erroneous repairs. Repointing should have been in lime mortar and the stone should have been protected by regular coats of limewash. |
Located in the north aisle is the Armstrong Memorial, in carved and gilded wood, framing two sculptured and painted panels showing the "Flight into Egypt" and "Jesus in the Temple". It was designed and executed in 1900 by Thomas Armstrong in memory of his son, Ambrose George Armstrong, whose portrait is in the centre of the work.