Leaving Amesbury, and following the eastern banks of the Avon, we come to
Great Durnford. Its name is derived from the British word “dur,”
signifying water. The church is most picturesque, and is built of stone
and flint, with very rich Norman north and south doorways and chancel
arch. The font is Norman, with an interesting arcade. The pulpit is of
oak and dated 1619, and has a very old velvet cover with 1657 worked on
it. Built into the wall of the church is a stone coffin containing a
skeleton, supposed to be that of the founder. Traces of two doors
leading to the rood loft can still be seen, and in one window are the
remains of some very old glass. Inside the south door are several
curious crosses, supposed to be dedication crosses. In the chancel is a
leper’s window. The altar rails are of oak, and date back to the
sixteenth century. The pattern on the walls is the same as that found
some years ago under the plaster and whitewash. There is a curious brass
to the memory of Edward Young, his wife, and fourteen children, dated
1670. In the chancel, chained to an ancient desk, is a copy of Jewel’s
“Apologie of the Church of England,” ordered by Convocation after the
Reformation, 1571.