The Athelhampton Chantry
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The Athelhampton Chantry or Chapel of St Magdalene was the burial place of the Martins, whose ancestral home was Athelhampton Hall. The magnificent altar tomb with an alabaster effigy is in memory of Sir William Martyn, who died in 1503. The second tomb, with an effigy of a knight, in plate armour, lying on a low altar tomb is dated at around 1400. On the floor are effigies of a knight and lady in Ham Hill stone, which are probably 13c.
Note on the left of the entrance to the Chantry, a very small door, which gave access to a stairway to the Rood loft, the top can just be seen above the tester over the pulpit. Also a hagioscope or squint, which was used to see the high altar so that the raising of the Host could be synchronised. It is not now possible to see the centre of the altar and that is because the chancel was extended in 1911.
