Fiona Chartres
@chartresfi.bsky.social
Former picture framer who loves churches, art, history and cheese...
Merry Christmas everyone, here's to a happy and healthy 2026🌲
The 13thC nativity at St Clements, Ashampstead is so beautiful, it's part of a larger cycle of the life of Virgin which took my breath away when I first saw it.
I love that the ox and the ass have been left in charge of the baby.
The 13thC nativity at St Clements, Ashampstead is so beautiful, it's part of a larger cycle of the life of Virgin which took my breath away when I first saw it.
I love that the ox and the ass have been left in charge of the baby.
December 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Merry Christmas everyone, here's to a happy and healthy 2026🌲
The 13thC nativity at St Clements, Ashampstead is so beautiful, it's part of a larger cycle of the life of Virgin which took my breath away when I first saw it.
I love that the ox and the ass have been left in charge of the baby.
The 13thC nativity at St Clements, Ashampstead is so beautiful, it's part of a larger cycle of the life of Virgin which took my breath away when I first saw it.
I love that the ox and the ass have been left in charge of the baby.
Not a hungry chap searching for where his wife has hidden the Christmas chocolates but a medieval wheelwright checking his work is true at Ampney St Mary's.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
December 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Not a hungry chap searching for where his wife has hidden the Christmas chocolates but a medieval wheelwright checking his work is true at Ampney St Mary's.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
Two rather grumpy cherubs squinting in the late summer sun at St Mary's, Purton.
Possibly grumpy because someone's nicked their legs and replaced them with foliated tassels, no wonder they're holding on so tightly.
#MonumentsMonday
Possibly grumpy because someone's nicked their legs and replaced them with foliated tassels, no wonder they're holding on so tightly.
#MonumentsMonday
December 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Two rather grumpy cherubs squinting in the late summer sun at St Mary's, Purton.
Possibly grumpy because someone's nicked their legs and replaced them with foliated tassels, no wonder they're holding on so tightly.
#MonumentsMonday
Possibly grumpy because someone's nicked their legs and replaced them with foliated tassels, no wonder they're holding on so tightly.
#MonumentsMonday
Karl Parsons nativity window of 1921 at St Philip's, Leicester simply glows.
Mary holds Jesus on her knee in the centre with a kneeling King on the left and a kneeling shepherd on the right.
To be honest I did my best but photos don't really do it justice.
#StainedGlassSunday
Mary holds Jesus on her knee in the centre with a kneeling King on the left and a kneeling shepherd on the right.
To be honest I did my best but photos don't really do it justice.
#StainedGlassSunday
December 21, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Karl Parsons nativity window of 1921 at St Philip's, Leicester simply glows.
Mary holds Jesus on her knee in the centre with a kneeling King on the left and a kneeling shepherd on the right.
To be honest I did my best but photos don't really do it justice.
#StainedGlassSunday
Mary holds Jesus on her knee in the centre with a kneeling King on the left and a kneeling shepherd on the right.
To be honest I did my best but photos don't really do it justice.
#StainedGlassSunday
Playing hide and seek in a church is so much fun!
A pointy snouted something (fox?) thinks they've found the perfect spot at St Nicholas, Hatherop.
#SundayStonework
A pointy snouted something (fox?) thinks they've found the perfect spot at St Nicholas, Hatherop.
#SundayStonework
December 21, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Playing hide and seek in a church is so much fun!
A pointy snouted something (fox?) thinks they've found the perfect spot at St Nicholas, Hatherop.
#SundayStonework
A pointy snouted something (fox?) thinks they've found the perfect spot at St Nicholas, Hatherop.
#SundayStonework
The incredibly impressive 14thC tower and spire loom over you somewhat as you approach All Saints, Oakham.
The less said about the fact there's only two windows in the tower and they're off centre the better... (apparently it's to accommodate the stairs)
#SteepleSaturday
The less said about the fact there's only two windows in the tower and they're off centre the better... (apparently it's to accommodate the stairs)
#SteepleSaturday
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The incredibly impressive 14thC tower and spire loom over you somewhat as you approach All Saints, Oakham.
The less said about the fact there's only two windows in the tower and they're off centre the better... (apparently it's to accommodate the stairs)
#SteepleSaturday
The less said about the fact there's only two windows in the tower and they're off centre the better... (apparently it's to accommodate the stairs)
#SteepleSaturday
Reposted by Fiona Chartres
A C15 bench end at Trent, Dorset. This looks as though the bird above has vanquished the Basilisk/wyvern(?) below. But what is that bird, it's not a dodo, a stylised eagle perhaps?
December 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
A C15 bench end at Trent, Dorset. This looks as though the bird above has vanquished the Basilisk/wyvern(?) below. But what is that bird, it's not a dodo, a stylised eagle perhaps?
Today's #AdventAngels is swinging their thurible with a completely devil may care attitude at All Saints, Braunston in Rutland.
Probably once part of a reredos for a long lost altar, the oval above them contains the instruments of the passion.
#ThuribleThursday
Probably once part of a reredos for a long lost altar, the oval above them contains the instruments of the passion.
#ThuribleThursday
December 18, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Today's #AdventAngels is swinging their thurible with a completely devil may care attitude at All Saints, Braunston in Rutland.
Probably once part of a reredos for a long lost altar, the oval above them contains the instruments of the passion.
#ThuribleThursday
Probably once part of a reredos for a long lost altar, the oval above them contains the instruments of the passion.
#ThuribleThursday
For #AdventAngels today a finely carved musical angel on a 15thC misericord at St Mary's, Tansor.
Formerly at Fotheringhay the quality of the carving is fantastic, the way the wings curl over.
And yes they are fingering the lute not flipping the bird as I first thought... 🖕🏻
#Woodensday
Formerly at Fotheringhay the quality of the carving is fantastic, the way the wings curl over.
And yes they are fingering the lute not flipping the bird as I first thought... 🖕🏻
#Woodensday
December 17, 2025 at 9:52 AM
For #AdventAngels today a finely carved musical angel on a 15thC misericord at St Mary's, Tansor.
Formerly at Fotheringhay the quality of the carving is fantastic, the way the wings curl over.
And yes they are fingering the lute not flipping the bird as I first thought... 🖕🏻
#Woodensday
Formerly at Fotheringhay the quality of the carving is fantastic, the way the wings curl over.
And yes they are fingering the lute not flipping the bird as I first thought... 🖕🏻
#Woodensday
Squeezed between the tombs of the Willoughby chapel and the organ at St Mary the Virgin and All Saints, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds is this lone row of medieval tiles. Only one remains of each design, a hint of how rich the decoration of the church might have been.
#TilesOnTuesday
#TilesOnTuesday
December 16, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Squeezed between the tombs of the Willoughby chapel and the organ at St Mary the Virgin and All Saints, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds is this lone row of medieval tiles. Only one remains of each design, a hint of how rich the decoration of the church might have been.
#TilesOnTuesday
#TilesOnTuesday
I had a very strange feeling of being watched at St John the Baptist, Barnack..
#SundayStonework
#SundayStonework
December 14, 2025 at 9:47 AM
I had a very strange feeling of being watched at St John the Baptist, Barnack..
#SundayStonework
#SundayStonework
I was reminded anew how stunning the 16thC glass at Withcote Chapel is when I revisited this autumn.
This is a tiny panel but the colours and detail are fabulous (try to ignore the two random reset swirly decorative pieces on the right)
#StainedGlassSunday
This is a tiny panel but the colours and detail are fabulous (try to ignore the two random reset swirly decorative pieces on the right)
#StainedGlassSunday
December 14, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I was reminded anew how stunning the 16thC glass at Withcote Chapel is when I revisited this autumn.
This is a tiny panel but the colours and detail are fabulous (try to ignore the two random reset swirly decorative pieces on the right)
#StainedGlassSunday
This is a tiny panel but the colours and detail are fabulous (try to ignore the two random reset swirly decorative pieces on the right)
#StainedGlassSunday
Something a bit different for today's #AdventAngels from Manchester Art Gallery.
The incredibly beautiful Illusions painted by Annie Swynnerton around 1902. A young winged girl in armour with a clear, confident gaze, ready to fight for equality and independence.
The incredibly beautiful Illusions painted by Annie Swynnerton around 1902. A young winged girl in armour with a clear, confident gaze, ready to fight for equality and independence.
December 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Something a bit different for today's #AdventAngels from Manchester Art Gallery.
The incredibly beautiful Illusions painted by Annie Swynnerton around 1902. A young winged girl in armour with a clear, confident gaze, ready to fight for equality and independence.
The incredibly beautiful Illusions painted by Annie Swynnerton around 1902. A young winged girl in armour with a clear, confident gaze, ready to fight for equality and independence.
The 13thC font at All Saints, Oakham has been changed and altered over the centuries but is really rather lovely.
The late 19thC or early 20thC cover compliments it perfectly and the base which looks to me like a reused capital just adds to its character.
#FontsOnFriday
The late 19thC or early 20thC cover compliments it perfectly and the base which looks to me like a reused capital just adds to its character.
#FontsOnFriday
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM
The 13thC font at All Saints, Oakham has been changed and altered over the centuries but is really rather lovely.
The late 19thC or early 20thC cover compliments it perfectly and the base which looks to me like a reused capital just adds to its character.
#FontsOnFriday
The late 19thC or early 20thC cover compliments it perfectly and the base which looks to me like a reused capital just adds to its character.
#FontsOnFriday
December 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
A lovely faded fragment of swirling stylised vine at St Andrew's, Stoke Dry.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
December 10, 2025 at 9:27 AM
A lovely faded fragment of swirling stylised vine at St Andrew's, Stoke Dry.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
A memory of brighter days.. 🌞
This was an early start for a day of church crawling in the summer sun at St Mary the Virgin, Southwick.
#TraceryTuesday
This was an early start for a day of church crawling in the summer sun at St Mary the Virgin, Southwick.
#TraceryTuesday
December 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
A memory of brighter days.. 🌞
This was an early start for a day of church crawling in the summer sun at St Mary the Virgin, Southwick.
#TraceryTuesday
This was an early start for a day of church crawling in the summer sun at St Mary the Virgin, Southwick.
#TraceryTuesday
A very vibrant shop in Market Harborough today and a window display perfect for #OwlishMonday
December 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
A very vibrant shop in Market Harborough today and a window display perfect for #OwlishMonday
The brass to Helyn Hardy d1486 at St Andrew's, Lyddington is fascinating because it shows her headress in such detail.
It must be made of gauze or net as the wires that are supporting it are clearly visible underneath as is her little patterned cap.
#MonumentsMonday
It must be made of gauze or net as the wires that are supporting it are clearly visible underneath as is her little patterned cap.
#MonumentsMonday
December 8, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The brass to Helyn Hardy d1486 at St Andrew's, Lyddington is fascinating because it shows her headress in such detail.
It must be made of gauze or net as the wires that are supporting it are clearly visible underneath as is her little patterned cap.
#MonumentsMonday
It must be made of gauze or net as the wires that are supporting it are clearly visible underneath as is her little patterned cap.
#MonumentsMonday
The capitals at All Saints, Oakham are full of fabulous detail.
The subject matter of some of them is very much up for debate though, this fox carrying a goose and having his bum and tail pecked by goslings could be Reynard or Chaucer's Nun's Priests tale...or just a fox.
#SundayStonework
The subject matter of some of them is very much up for debate though, this fox carrying a goose and having his bum and tail pecked by goslings could be Reynard or Chaucer's Nun's Priests tale...or just a fox.
#SundayStonework
December 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The capitals at All Saints, Oakham are full of fabulous detail.
The subject matter of some of them is very much up for debate though, this fox carrying a goose and having his bum and tail pecked by goslings could be Reynard or Chaucer's Nun's Priests tale...or just a fox.
#SundayStonework
The subject matter of some of them is very much up for debate though, this fox carrying a goose and having his bum and tail pecked by goslings could be Reynard or Chaucer's Nun's Priests tale...or just a fox.
#SundayStonework
This window by Karl Parsons was presented to St Philip's, Leicester by the Sunday school children in 1913. Following a reorganisation of the church it's now displayed as part of a light box which is an incredibly successful way to enjoy the colours and textures.
#StainedGlassSunday
#AdventAngels
#StainedGlassSunday
#AdventAngels
December 7, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This window by Karl Parsons was presented to St Philip's, Leicester by the Sunday school children in 1913. Following a reorganisation of the church it's now displayed as part of a light box which is an incredibly successful way to enjoy the colours and textures.
#StainedGlassSunday
#AdventAngels
#StainedGlassSunday
#AdventAngels
The door at Ampney St Mary is a thing of beauty. Sturdy, simple ironwork on lovely bleached, silvery wood.
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#IronworkThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#IronworkThursday
December 4, 2025 at 9:14 AM
The door at Ampney St Mary is a thing of beauty. Sturdy, simple ironwork on lovely bleached, silvery wood.
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#IronworkThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#IronworkThursday
This wall painting at St Mary's, Purton is a warning to sabbath breakers otherwise known as a Sunday Christ.
He's shown as the man of sorrows surrounded by tools and farming equipment reminding people not to work and attend church.
It's such a pity about the later royal arms🙄
#WednesdayWallPaintings
He's shown as the man of sorrows surrounded by tools and farming equipment reminding people not to work and attend church.
It's such a pity about the later royal arms🙄
#WednesdayWallPaintings
December 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This wall painting at St Mary's, Purton is a warning to sabbath breakers otherwise known as a Sunday Christ.
He's shown as the man of sorrows surrounded by tools and farming equipment reminding people not to work and attend church.
It's such a pity about the later royal arms🙄
#WednesdayWallPaintings
He's shown as the man of sorrows surrounded by tools and farming equipment reminding people not to work and attend church.
It's such a pity about the later royal arms🙄
#WednesdayWallPaintings
Such lovely graceful curves at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday
December 2, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Such lovely graceful curves at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday