Chaldon
| Chaldon | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 Church of SS Peter and Paul | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | Expression error: Unexpected < operator.&y=Expression error: Unexpected < operator.&z=120 TQ31856 |
| Location: | 51°17’10"N, 0°7’30"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,735 (2011) |
| Post town: | Caterham |
| Postcode: | CR3 |
| Dialling code: | 01883 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Tandridge |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
East Surrey |
Chaldon is a rural village in Surrey, high on the North Downs immediately west of Caterham. It is in the Wallington Hundred.
Though in countryside itself, Chaldon is centred just a mile and a half to the west of the swelling townscape of Caterham on the Hill, which adjoins the metropolitan conurbation, and just north of the junction of two motorways; the M25 and of M23. Several downland footpaths run through or close by the village, including the Pilgrims Way just to the south.
The name of the village is first recorded in 675, from the Old English calfa dun, meaning "Calves' Hill".
Chaldon has received by some locals the epithet "Little Switzerland" because of the microclimate resulting in heavier snowfall here than in other parts of the region when there is snow in winter.
Parish church
The parish church of Saints Peter and Paul was built before 1086 and today is Grade I listed.[1] It retains its west and east walls (of nave and of chancel/chantry) of their original dates, both with "extraordinarily high-pitched" gables, round window in the west and three windows in the east.[2]
The church contains a large wall painting of around 1170 depicting images of the ways of salvation and damnation and their result [lower-alpha 1] and is in length 17' 2". Malden in 1911 described it as "perhaps the most interesting ancient wall-painting in England".[2] The mural is divided in two by a cloudy band, with the lower half decorated to torments and punishments of the wicked; the upper half devoted to the judgement and salvation of souls. In the centre is a ladder with Christ above. The main figures include the Tree of knowledge, with the Serpent, the Seven deadly sins and a cauldron for boiling murderers. Across the top are depicted the three Marys and the Ascent of Elijah and Enoch to heaven, Jesus defeating the Devil, and Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison.[1]
| “ | It is evident that this painting was the work of a very studious man, probably one of the learned monks of Chertsey, and the school of the art of this monastery here finds valuable illustration for comparison with that of Canterbury, Winchester, Lewes and Durham. | ” |
Towards the close of the 12th century the south aisle and St Catherine's chapel (to the chancel) (almost entirely rebuilt in the 14th century) in line with it were added, the little lancet in its west wall, with radiating splay, and the two arches opening from the nave the aisle's chief architectural features; and perhaps the later east-facing multi-faceted quatrefoil window the main early feature of the chapel.[2]
In about 1220 the similar narrow aisle to the north was built; visitors can see its 1330-built windows, and a corresponding chapel was of this date which is no longer existing except its entrance arch.[2]
It was only in 1870–1, when a general restoration of the church was effected, that the painting covering the entire width of the west wall of the nave was brought to light and preserved. A figure of a demon on the respond of the north arcade though was destroyed by the workmen.[2]
History
Early Ages
The earliest traces of man here are neaolithic flints found on White Hill on the borders of Chaldon and Caterham.[2]
Chaldon first appears in the written record in 675, in a charter granting land to Chertsey Abbey.
In the Domesday Book the manor of Calvedone appears in Wallington hundred rendering £4 to its lord Ralph Fitz Turold holding it as was most of the hundred of Bishop Odo of Bayeux.[2] Before the conquest it had been held by the English lord Dernic. The manor consisted of two hides, land for two lord's plough teams and a church. In the Middle Ages the parish included a narrow strip of land below the southern foot of the Downs and a wedge of land to the north of the church that in the 19th century were transferred to Bletchingley and Coulsdon respectively.
An inscribed stone dedicates a pond for use by residents not animals dated to the late 18th or early 19th century illustrates the lack of water in the village during summer months. St Catherine's south chancel chapel in the church became devoted to the memory of Christian Hane (d.1752) of an aedicular type with a white stone rectangular panel flanked by Doric pilasters with red marble inlay, swan-neck pediment and crowning shell.[1]
Nineteenth century and beyond
Under Rev. James Legrew, the tithes were commuted for £335. 11s 3d, however as rector retaining a glebe of 31 acres, with a glebe house. A tower and spire were added to the church in 1843 from a bellcote before.[2] Given its steep, dry landscape on top of the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Chaldon did not develop new homes substantially even in the 19th and 20th centuries; though replacements to farmhouses were built in this period. In 1848 the population was 197 and the population in 1901 was only 266[2] and it consisted of little more than "the church and six scattered farms". By 1911 Viscount Hylton connected his farms and cottages with the East Surrey Water Company's mains; otherwise the supply depended upon the shallow wells and ponds, filled in a wet season and empty in a dry one.[2]
About the village
Along the north street, Church Lane is a line of houses ending with the Church Green. Here is a close cluster of five listed buildings including the two most highly ranked listed buildings plus farm outbuildings. This area forms a conservation area. Its booklet with hand-drawn illustrations was produced in 1975, year of European Architectural Heritage.
Chaldon Court is a Grade II* listed timber-framed building was built in the 14th century and encased in brick and flint in the 18th century; its door is of the Tudor period.[4] Its large gable ends have a large window housing a third floor, however its extension at a right-angle has instead two taller storeys, slightly lower in height.
Although almost a plateau, the highest part of Chaldon is White Hill, which overlooks Caterham and north-eastern Surrey and Kent beyond and is occupied by Surrey National Golf Course.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Chaldon) |
- Chaldon Parish Council
- Chaldon on 'Exploring Surrey's Past'
- History of Chaldon Village
- Church
- History of Chaldon Church
- Church of St Peter and St Paul, Church Lane, Chaldon on 'Exploring Surrey's Past'
- Chaldon Church mural on 'Exploring Surrey's Past'
- The Purgatorial Ladder, or Ladder of Souls, with the Seven Deadly Sins: Chaldon, Surrey c.1200
- High resolution picture of the whole mural.
References
- ↑ Executed in accordance with a scheme originating in the Eastern church, preserved to us in the 'Guide to Painting of the Greek Church,' as used by the monk-painters of the monasteries of Mount Athos whose title is "The Ladder of the Salvation of the Human Soul and the Road to Heaven"
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Heritage List 1029813: Church of St Peter and St Paul
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Parishes: Chaldon – A History of the County of Surrey - Volume : {{{2}}} (Victoria County History)
- ↑ Mural Painting (vol. ii. pp 164-5]
- ↑ National Heritage List 1029812: Chaldon Court