Previously, I posted a couple of pieces on the Holy Trinity Church at Wensley, North Yorkshire. As I had a few more photos and a couple of questions were raised, I thought I’d do a ‘wipe-up’ post to take care of some of the other odds and ends.
The choir stalls are dated as 1527 and are decorated with heraldic ‘monsters’ – King Henry VIII was on the throne of England during this period. The wood is very dark and I’ve photographed them without artificial light, just a little reflected fill on a couple to add edge definition.
More modern carving, sorry, I don’t know the date.
A pair of opera boxes were removed from Drury Lane in 18th Century and installed as pews for the Bolton Family.
I always like to find something that’s a bit more personal than the obvious structure and paraphernalia of the churches – perhaps graffiti tucked away in a corner, something put down and forgotten, etc. I was in one of the ‘opera boxes’ and happened to open one of the prayer books there. Apart from the inscription “Bolton 1902” on the title page, a dedication had been written on the facing page.
I hope you don’t use this as a snooze-box.Love
Yours Maria
The octagonal font dated 1662. The best I can do with the inscription is “TER So Looke to your charges”.
An example of Medieval paintings dated a little after the north aisle was completed in around 1300. The text is one of the earliest identified examples of English text in a medieval wall painting. St Eloi is depicted in first painting. Early 1300s – King Edward I was on the throne of England. Pope Clement V disbanded the Knights Templar in 1312.
The organ is was built in 1885 by Isaac Abbott of Leeds.
Wooden almery/aumbrie/ambry/reliquary with a money box attached to it, supposedly of around 1400 – it is suggested that it contained relics of St. Agatha.
Saxon memorial stones, now built into the north aisle wall, include the names ‘Donfrid’ and ‘Eadberecht’, both may have been priests from the Minster of Durham.
The carving on these stones was almost flat so I used a small flashgun to throw light across the wall to bring out the texture.
Sedilia and window reveal in the 12th Century chancel wall.
Piscina, also in the chancel wall but thought to be of a later date. The front of the basin has been broken off in times gone by.
This is the standard of the Loyal Dales Volunteers. The regiment was part of a Yorkshire militia created in 1805 for the specific purpose of fighting Napoleon should he invade. They were disbanded in 1815.
Although shown grey here, this is a black marble memorial slab fixed to the North Aisle wall at Wensley, showing Henry and Richard, children of Lord Scrope, who both died in 1525. (Another instance where I’ve used an flashgun to bring out the detail.)
Whenever I visit churches, I always take ‘incidental’ images. These may be something particularly unusual, or just the way the light falls on something. Here’s a couple from Holy Trinity.
The South Porch has a sundial with the inscription “1818 – As a shadow such is life”
I may start another blog dedicated to my church visits.
oops – meant to add these reference sites which I found particularly useful.
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/
http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/
http://www.paintedchurch.org/
http://www.churchmonumentssociety.org/
——–Stephen—–
Stephen G Hipperson 
This is indeed a beautiful and interesting building. Great photos of this and the beautiful details.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for posting these glorious photos! I love the dark, misty light and heavy curtain in your “incidental” shot #2. Are you familiar with Philip Larkin’s poem “Church Going”? Here’s a quote: “For, though I’ve no idea what this accoutred frowsty barn is worth, it pleases me to stand in silence here.” I think it fits your blog well!
🙂 Thank you!
I’m not into poetry thing but I checked the poem out and find that it very much captures how I sometimes feel when I visit some churches – usually at the close of a winter’s day, when the Robin starts to sing,
Philip Larkin reading is poem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp234p_fCM
Wonderful images, thank you so much for taking the time to capture them. I for one would really enjoy a blog by you devoted to your church visits. All of your photos are filled with poetic meaning, yet, I find your church shots to be very comfortable and familial – showing the architects, clergy, and laity’s devotion and relationship to God. A well built and loved church never loses its ability to foster a person’s ability to talk to God.
That’s very kind of you, thank you!
This is an enjoyable post Stephen. The images show such interesting detail and convey the atmosphere well. The lack of artificial lighting enhances that. nice work!
Thank you!
I avoid artificial lighting wherever possible. I tend to leave my trusty tripod in the back of my car, so I always have it with me when I visit churches.
These are so beautiful, Stephen! Lovely light, great detail and a wonderful sense of place. You’ve a talent for seeing those little details that brings the place alive for the reader.
You’re very kind, thank you.
Stephen, thank you for sharing this with us. Across the pond in the U.S., we pat ourselves on the back for having been around for a couple of hundred years as though that is some unprecedented achievement. Thanks for the perspective.
Wonderful and amazing photographs!
Thank you. Churches seem to be unique in this combination of preservation and access to it. I’m sure many private residences have their history but this is usually associated with documentation or fine art.