The Chancel

The present structure dates from the thirteenth century. Look behind the chancel arch to see the remains of the former narrower Saxon chancel. The East window and the two in the South wall date from 1496, though the glass is Victorian. Note, however, the outer angle shafts of the early lancet windows in the East wall, with moulded caps, bands and bases, which still remain on each side of the present East window. A single lancet still remains, looking into the present vestry. There would probably have been two in the North and two in the South walls. Over the vestry door hangs an oil–painting of Christ at Emmaus, which was bought in 1820 in Belgium, and thought to be of the school of Caravaggio.

Note the sedilia, or priest’s seat on the South wall of the chancel. The other one was presumably removed when the perpendicular window was installed in 1496. The Priest’s Door also dates from 1496. Note the erosion of the stone on the East side, made by the arms of those who used holy water to bless themselves as they entered church. A holy water stoup would have been nearby. The hanging lamp above the aumbry in the Sanctuary is lit whenever the Sacrament has been reserved for the sick or dying. On the south side of the choir is the Bernard Gilpin window. The upper section of all three lights shows Gilpin, who was a former Vicar of Norton, preaching before the court at Greenwich in 1553. Lower left shows his institution to the Vicarage at Norton by his uncle, Bishop Tunstall. Lower centre shows him healing a feud at Rothbury, on one of his preaching tours. He was known as "The Apostle of the North". Lower right shows his meeting with a messenger from London, announcing the death of Mary, and his own release after arrest.