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Saturday, 30 June 2012

"Brass Medal Memorial from 1698"

Laughton, Leicestershire

Ancient wall mounted memorial from 1698 (full transcript below), St Lukes Church, Laughton, Leicestershire

Ancient wall mounted memorial from 1698 (full transcript below)


Here underneath on the North side of Barbara Lute (his first wife) lyeth interred the Body of Cott WILLIAM COLE Esq Lord of this Manor who served his Majesty King Charles the first of blessed memory and ye three Kings his sucessors of 58 years a Commission Officer. He departed this life March the 27 th 1698 In the 85 th year of his Age.

Laughton, Leicestershire

Laughton is in South Leicestershire and the church is open every day

Friday, 29 June 2012

“Ancient Holy Water Stoup”

St Laurence, Brundish, Suffolk

St Laurence, Brundish, Suffolk

The church of St Laurence is entered from the south side through an ancient porch which was probably built in the 1400’s but contains windows which are probably 100 years older than this.

The roof timber are rough and solid looking like the old wooden benches which lie below. On the right of the main door is an old moulded stone Holy Water Stoup built into the wall. This would have contained holy water which was first mixed with salt then exorcised and blessed.

The word stoup should actually read “stop” meaning pail or basin.

 This is the place where people entering the church would dip their fingers into the water and then make the sign of the cross as an act of symbolic cleansing and rededication on entering the sacred building ahead.

It looks to be many years since the stoup contained holy water, with the use of stoups such as this being supressed after the reformation. Most of the bowl is missing at the front, but is still visible at the back. Unlike piscinas a stoup didnt contain a drain hole and would simple have been topped up.   
St Laurence, , Brundish, Suffolk

St Laurences is open every day

Thursday, 28 June 2012

“Headless Hound”


St Mary The Virgin, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

285159.1 St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

Sedilia are seats for the clergy. These are usually positioned on the south side of the chancel and have two or three seats. To the east of them is usually a piscina often decorated in a similar style.

St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

In Earl Stonham the drop sill sedilia has two seats and is incorporated into the window which is unusual, as sedilia are usually backed by the south wall of the chancel. Another example of a window sedilia combination can be seen in Gumley in Leicestershire (below). The two seats in Earl Stonham are separated by a crouching stone hound who unfortunately has lost his head, probably as part of the destruction during the Reformation. I love his long claws and the way his tail is looped over his back and under his back leg. As with many ancient carvings in churches there are a number of scratches on the body of the creature one which looks like a cross. It was the norm many years ago to scratch graffiti into monuments when visiting churches examples of which can be seen even in our grand cathedrals.
St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

Earl Stonham church is open every day

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

“Fawlty Font”


St Nicholas, Bedfield, Suffolk



The octagonal font stands at the west end of the church between the North and South doors. The font dates back many hundreds of years and must have witnessed the baptism of hundreds of Bedfields babes over the years. The original step around the base remains, and fragments of the original paint can still be seen on the stonework. Five of the fonts eight panels are carved with perpendicular window designs, whilst the north and south panels bear the crosses of the de Uffords. These shields commemorate William de Ufford, Second Earl of Suffolk (c. 1339-1382) and his wife Isabella Beauchamp whom he married in 1376 and who died in 1416. There is an error though in the carving with a omitted bar which should divide the six crosses into two groups of three.



A similar font can be found in nearby Parham church which has the bar included. It is thereby thought that the Bedfield font maybe a reject from nearby Parham where the Uffords had one of their residences and the error would have been more likely to have been noticed.

The font is topped by a large wooden seventeenth century cover which is about 5 feet in height and very grand. Its corners have turned wooden pillars between which are panels with typical Stuart decorations. Above are radiating scrolls which rise to meet eight little carved cherub heads around a central finial. Three of the wooden sections have been designed to be removed to allow the Priest to access the font without the font cover being completely removed.




Bedfield church is open every day

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

“Hodie mihi cras tibi”

St Nicholas, Bedfield, Suffolk


St Nicholas, Bedfield, Suffolk

Above is a computer enhanced image of the Bedfield momento mori.....

St Nicholas, Bedfield, Suffolk

I am a big fan of the “Momento Mori” symbolism found in churches and cathedral, something which is rarely seen in more modern memorial and grave stone.  
The “momento mori” remind us of our mortality and limited time on earth and come in many forms. Skulls and crossed bones are common, but other symbols include hour glasses and full skeletons.

The above image is of a black slate ledger slab from the floor of Bedfield church which dates from 1657. It features in the upper area a primitive looking skull with what looks like a crop of hair and some great looking teeth. Either side of this skull is the motto “ Hodie mihi cras tibi” which in true momento mori style means “My turn today, yours tomorrow”.

The memorial is to Thomas Dunston of Bedfield Hall Manor who died on Christmas Day 1657. Interestingly although today on the 25th December we now celebrate this as Christmas Day then it was illegal thanks to Oliver Cronwell.

Thomas Dunston was the grandson of Sir William Dunston who was the parson at Bedfield during the reformation from 1520 to 1559. Thomas lived at Bedfield Hall from 1610 until his death in 1657.

St Nicholas, Bedfield, Suffolk

Bedfield church is open every day.

Monday, 25 June 2012

“The Virgins Heart”

St Mary The Virgin, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

The font in Earl Stonham dates from about 1460 and has an array of detailed carvings on its sides. As with other parts of the church it was mutilated under the orders of Thomas Dowsing in the 1640’s and all the faces of the cherubs at each corner have been destroyed. The side panels though remain largely intact especially on the south side where there is a pierced sacred heart within a wreah of leaves,  representative of the Virgin Mary to whom the church is dedicated. Over the years the font has been painted as was probably brightly painted when it was first created.

St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

Much of this paint has been lost with the best place to see fragments being on the underside where red colouring can be clearly seen. Other panels feature a seeded pomegranate within a crown of thorns, angels holding shields and a square lattice of ribbons with fleur-de-lys terminals.

St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk


The font is positioned at the west end of the church near to the entrance.
St Mary, Earl Stonham, Suffolk

Earl Stonham church is open every day

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Magnificent Mosaic

St Mary and St Nicholas, Wilton, Wiltshire

St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton, Wiltshire

St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton, Wiltshire

Built upon the wealth of the Wilton carpet industry this lavish church would look more at home in Russia. Above is the lavish golden mosaics which fill the east end of the church and is illuminated by a series of lights which are activated by a small switch at the opposite end of the church. This a fascinating church which also contains some lovely old stained glass windows and some great monuments.

St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton, Wiltshire

Saturday, 23 June 2012

Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Suffolk

Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

With the brass insert stolen probably for scrap many years ago this indent gives a taste of what it would have looked like. Unfortunatley this is the fate of many of our ancient brasses, with more indents in churches than original brasses.

Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

Bottisham church is open every dat

Friday, 22 June 2012

Not As Old As It Looks

St Nicholas, Rattlesden, Suffolk


St Nicholas, Rattlesden, Suffolk

Rood screen were common in medieval churches and were accessed by stairs of various shapes and sizes. Most of these and indeed most of the screen have long since gone but this on is Rattlesden remains along with evidence of its wooden staircase connecting the top of the parclose screen with the rood.. All though is not what it at first seems. The rood and parclose screen is only just under 100 years old having been designed and constructed in 1916 by G H Fellowes Prynne. The idea was to reconstruct a rood screen to give an idea of what its medieval equivalent would have looked like.


Many feel that this was Fellowes Prynne's most important wooden screen. It is constructed of oak, and is finely carved with great detailing.  The base of the screen echoes a mediaeval fragment seen elsewhere in the church, and it contains carvings of the instruments of the Passion, as well as the “IHS” symbol for Christ's name, and the XP monogram.

Below you can see the full screen complete with its rood ( figure of Christ on the cross and flanking figures).

St Nicholas, Rattlesden, Suffolk

Rattlesden church is open every day with plenty of nearby parking and easy access.

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

We are so used to seeing carvings in chuches which arent painted its hard to believe that once all carvings such as this would have once been brightly painted. In this example remnants of the ancient paint can be clearly seem. I'd love to go back 400 years to see how how churches looked then. I wonder how much details there would have been in the eyes. Would he have had eyelashes painted on.....

The figure forms part of the Sedilia on the south side of the chancel and is actually about 15 cm's in height.





Holy Trinity, Bottisham, Cambridgeshire

Holy Trinity is open daily to visitors

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

St Pauls, Covent Garden, London

St Pauls, Covent Garden, Londonx

Known as the "Actors Church" St Paul's  lies at the west end of Covent Gardens and forms a back drop to the many street performers who can be seen there every day. Inside it contains memorials to many favours Actors which lie mainly along the west wall. The church was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London and has a very grand Romanesque appearance.
The font is unusually wooden and has detailed carving including cherubs heads (above). The wood looks to have been painted white many years ago and has a wonderful patina.

St Pauls, Covent Garden, London

St Paul's is open daily and is accessed through a door at the west end of the church rather than from the Piazza. Adjacent to it lies a lovely garden which offers peace and tranquillity in the otherwise busy city.

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Fiery Red Dragon

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester.


Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, Hampshire

St George being the patron Saint of England is represented throughout the country usually slaying a fierce dragon. These dragon come in all shapes and sizes and interestingly is a multitude of colours. This one is bright red and is one of my favourites. It almost looks as though he is wearing armour himself.
Note St Georges lance which has either been broken in two or forced so far down the dragons throat that only the end is visible. I think the tip is visible to the right of his neck coming back out through his skin

Also in the cathedral is another image where we see St George being baptised presumably after he has killed the dragon which sits close by. His tail though is still erect which begs the question is he really dead or just pretending. Again this is another splendid dragon with bright scales and great wings.

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester, Hampshire

Winchester Cathedral is open most days to visitors.

Monday, 18 June 2012

Kissing Carvings Couple

St Peter, Church Langton, Leicestershire


St Peters, Church Langton, Leicestershire

On the corner of St Peters high on the exterior is this most bizarre carving which I've called "Kissing Carving Couple" although they don't look very happy. This church is adorned with a multitude of ancient carving or all shapes and sizes, but being high on the walls aren't that easy to view. This is church is quite close to where I live and is generally open.

Below are some other examples of carvings:-
The first is a variation on the "Green Man" theme, albeit rather primitive.

St Peters, Church Langton, Leicestershire

Great teeth.....

St Peters, Church Langton, Leicestershire

The image below was taken after heavy snow a couple of years ago and is one of my favourite of St Peters .

St Peter, Church Langton, Leicestershire

Sunday, 17 June 2012

"Momento Mori"

Holy Cross, Seend, Wiltshire

Holy Cross, Seend, Wiltshire


Memorial brasses come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in churches and cathedrals throughout the UK. Over the years thefts of these presumably for their value as scrap has meant that often all that remains are the indents in the stones where they once sat. My favourrtes are those like the one above which have a grafitti look to them, as though they were home made. This once dates from 1694. Which is 318 years ago and commemorates a baby who died at 11 weeks and a child of 2 years and 18 weeks. Note the Mometo Mori symbols at the top, the hour glass, the skull and the crossed bones.

Momento Mori roughly translated to "remember your mortality" and reminds us of our limited time on this earth. They can be found in places such as memorials, grave stones and brasses.

Holy Cross, Seend, Wiltshire

Seend church is open daily for visitors

Saturday, 16 June 2012

Wooden Wings

St Mary, Woolpit, Suffolk
St Mary, Woolpit, Suffolk

I was recently able to spend a week in Suffolk on holiday during which time I visited a number of the many fantastic churches there. It was also a pleasure to find almost all of them unlocked during the daytime.
During this period I came across a lot of fine wooden ceilings many of which were decorated with "angelic hosts". Woolpit was very close to where I was staying in Rattlesden and had a fine selection.

I particularly liked the detail in the wings with each feather individually carved, along with the finely carved wooden shield.

The double hammer beam ceiling in this church is thought to have been designed of Jonathan and Thomas Rollesby, who had a workshop at Bacton, Norfolk in 1412. It is thought that this roof dates back to this period and the angel to a similar period making then around 600 years old.

Angels can be found on wall plates, beams, corbels and supporting the timbers and number well over 200 in total.

St Marys, Woolpit, Suffolk

Woolpit is not hard to miss with its fine buttressed spire and is open during the daytime.

Friday, 15 June 2012

Safe and Sound

St Botolphs, Banningham, Norfolk


St Botolphs, Banningham, Norfolk

One of the fascinating features of English churches are their ancient chests which in some cases are as old as the church itself dating back many hundreds of years. As the holders of all the churches documents they were usually very secure and often has three locks and three key holders who all needed to be present before the chest could be unlocked and the contents accessed. Many chests are made of wood often carved from a single tree trunk. In the case of Banningham the trunk is made of iron which has a beautiful patina (which can be seen in the top image better than the lower one). Although a number of the fitting are damaged and lost this trunk looks to have had at least three locks. Currently it is guarded by a very small padlock on the left corner, although the ancient documents will now be stored elsewhere.

St Botolphs, Banningham, Norfolk

St Botolphs is usually open and has many interesting features to see.

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Reformation defamation

St Andrews, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire


St Andrews, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire

Roods screens were once commonplace in British churches dividing the chancel from the nave and keeping the "rif raf" away from the clergy. A rood is a cross which sits on top of the screen often flanked by figures. The screens themselves were richly carved and the lower panels frequently decorated with images of Saints and the Virgin Mary. Very few remain now as they were then due to the destructive forces of the reformation. Those which do often bear the damage inflicted from that time. This is a typical example with scratches and score marks across the faces of both the figures.

St Andrews, Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Rest in Peace

Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester

Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester

Located in the middle of Leicester not far from the famous "Leicester Tigers" Rugby Stadium is The Welford Road. Dating back to Victorian times this cemetery contains many fascinating tombstones and is the resting place of Thomas Cook father of the Package holiday as well as many other famous citizens of Leicester. A couple of years ago a new visitors centre was built and this is open at the weekend. Inside are records and historical information about those buried in the cemetery.

Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester


The cemtery is open from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

"Sexy Lady"

St Michaels, Trent, Dorset


St Michael's, Trent, Somerset

Not what you would normally expect to see in a English church and in reality you'd have to look quite carefully to find this amidst all the detailed glass in the East Window. The glass originates from Europe and some dates back many hundreds of years. The example below is dated 1613

St Michael's, Trent, Somerset

Below is a view from the back of the church with the East Window visible in the distance behind the rood screen. The nave also contains a selection of more modern Victorian glass in both the North and South windows.

Trent,  Somerset

The church is usually open but be careful of the alarmed area which guards the small north chapel.

Monday, 11 June 2012

Made From Boulders In Scotland

St Conan's Kirk, Loch Awe, Scotland


St Conan's Kirk, Loch Awe, Scotland


This remarkable font features an Angel supporting a small boat atop a marble sphere. It is one of the many interesting features to be found in this Scottish Church.


St Conan's Kirk, Loch Awe, Scotland

This amazing church sits in a remote location overlooking Loch Awe. It was created by local craftsmen who rolled huge granite boulder down the local hills and fashioned then into building blocks which were then used to build the church. This has resulted in the different coloured stones. The exterior is beautiful and the interior of a similar standard though the damp Scottish air has had its affect on the walls which look green and damp in places.


St Conan's Kirk, Loch Awe, Scotland

The church is usually open for visiting.