The present church was founded by a charter of King Henry III in about 1220, with the tower being completed in about 1250.

The next phase of building, in about 1320, was the widening of the north aisle and the replacement of the nave arcade, to allow for the insertion of the Lady Chapel.

The clerestory and the low pitched roof, with parapets, is from the early 15th century, possibly under the auspices of Bishop Henry Chichele, later Archbishop of Canterbury.

[6] Simon Jenkins, awarding St Mary's three stars, says: The west front of the tower is little short of sensational, a gallery of medieval decoration attributed to French masons from Westminster.

The twin doors are framed with carvings and a Tree of Jesse rising from a central shaft.

Sculpture dots each front, including on the north a charming man making music while locked in the stocks.

[8] In his 1912 book Brasses, John Sebastian Marlowe Ward says: "Canopies over Mass priests are very rare and this is by far the finest.

It lies 48 metres (52 yd) west of the church tower and is believed to be medieval in origin, with later additions.