But the exceptional width of South Aisle requires explanation as does the existence of the roughly laid foundation stones on the South wall laid in the manner of Saxon builders. A possible explanation of the South Aisle’s width is that it formed the entirety of an original Saxon church. The ‘new’ church, in later Saxon times, would then have been built, complete with a western tower, alongside the old church, leaving the latter to be used until the new building was completed.
The Two buildings would then have continued together, one as the place of worship, the other as a storage building, until after the Conquest 12th Century builders would then have built the North aisle (usually the first aisle to be built) – still leaving the old church standing. Then in the 13C the adjoining wall between the two buildings would be penetrated to form the three bay arcade we see now - in the early English style.
Of course this is on slender evidence and no more than a credible theory.
