The Nave
The nave has seven bays, i.e. a series of seven arches running down either side,
each arch springing from a column. At the springing points can be seen
angels carrying the emblems of the Stanleys and the Passion.
Above the
angels one can see a string course or frieze of animals and above this
is the clearstorey or clerestory. The clerestory windows are small and
square with the quatrefoil tracery and are designed to add to the light
and airy atmosphere that is characteristic of perpendicular architecture.
It is believed that in the original plans for the church, provision was
made for a much more grandiose clerestory, with much larger windows, but
that a shortage of funds dictated a revision of the plans.
The arch across
the nave at its Eastern end divides the main body of the church from the
sanctuary. Until 1856, this arch was blocked (although there was a five-lighted
window in position) and only opened up when Sir Gilbert Scott added the
apse
The pews were made in the 1856 rebuilding programme by Gilbert Scott. The ends of the pews are decorated with carved finials, mostly in the form of poppy-heads and leaves. Some ends, however, have carvings of eagles, griffins and dragons, and one pew actually contains an inset carving of the devil.