Eastrington

St Michael's Church

St Michael's Church, Eastrington is at the centre of the village. A church at Eastrington is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, listed as part of the Howden manor, and in 1146 Eastrington was specifically mentioned as a chapel of Howden. Architecturally the church is a mixture of historical influences. The present chancel was probably in the original chapel. The walls are Norman with chamfered string courses both inside and out, as are the carved stone inside the building, steps on which the font stands and the gargoyles. Surviving records from accounts at Durham suggest that monks paid for some of the early medieval building work, while the north and south aisles were later additions and probably paid for by three local families - the Askes, Kayvills (or Cavilles) and Portingtons. In the Portington chapel, a "coffin shaped cross slab with lead filled design" can be found on the floor dated from the early 13th century, also a second cross slab carved in relief, dated from the late 13th century. There is a shield below the cross head, probably the Caville coat of arms.

Architectural evidence suggests that much of St Michael's Church building surviving today was built during the 14th century. The windows of the chapel are typical of the 14th century and a tombstone recorded as being in the church in 1584 was inscribed with the words "Orate pro animabus Nicholai de Portington, militis, qui istam capellam fieri fecit" (Pray for the soul of Nicholas Portington, knight, who caused this chapel to be built). It is thought to be that of Nicholas Portington who was still alive in 1327.

The church was designated a Grade I listed building in 1966 and is now recorded in the National Heritage List for England, maintained by Historic England.[7]

• Media related to Eastrington at Wikimedia Commons
• Eastrington in the Domesday Book