We can now enter the Chancel. It is one of the oldest parts of the Church dating from the 13th century.  It has undergone subsequent restoration. The three narrow lancet windows on the north side and the large east window above the altar are part of the original, although the stained glass is of a much later date. The windows on the south wall have undergone change.

The drawing of the Church dated 1780 shows a door underneath the centre window, which was the Priest s door by which he could enter the Chancel direct. The window to the right of centre was shorter and of a different shape. The site of the Priest's door can be seen in the exterior stone work. When that door was finally removed and the space filled in, possibly in the 1846 restoration, the three windows in the south wall were rebuilt to match the ones on the north side.

If you look at the capitals of the shafts either side of these six windows, you will notice that they are of a floral design, except two. The one on the north side nearest the altar takes the form of serpents biting each other. It was a common subject of mediaeval art, found in roof bosses, capitals and wooden misericords, (Wells Cathedral has several examples and St George's, Windsor has many dragons due to the legend of St George). Dragons and snakes are closely related in mediaeval art, being symbols of evil and temptation and therefore shown either biting one another or being defeated by the figure of Christ.   More...

Top right and middle: Interior of St Peter's before restoration of 1878, looking east and looking west; Bottom right: a 'Green Man'