St Michael's, Horton |
|
|
|
|
|
History - The Building - Materials |
Building Materials Until bricks were introduced into England in the 15th century there were no building materials in this part of the Thames Valley, other than mud and wood. Important buildings had to use durable materials from elsewhere. At Horton there were flint and clunch from the Chilterns. The flint was knapped to show its dark-gray interior and so as to give a decorative finish; clunch is a hard chalk. Bricks were introduced into the Thames Valley in the mid-15th century and then only for such major or Royal Buildings as Eton College and Hampton Court. Later, bricks were made locally. Tudor bricks were very narrow (2 inches) and uneven, as in the upper stage of the tower. The 16th century timber-framed north porch uses both wood and bricks. 17th century peg tiles cover the great roof which replaced the earlier thatch. The chancel (19th century) is of greensand from Kent. Electricity This was installed in 1927 at a cost of £66 14s. 5d, by the Datchet and Slough Electricity Supply Company. The frames of the earlier oil lamps were retained to suppor tthe electricity bulbs, which they still do. The porch lantern still incorporates a copper oil lamp. |
