Steve
@portaspeciosa.bsky.social
Church crawler with a penchant for cathedrals and medieval wall paintings.
Looking across the Presbytery crossing vaults at Salisbury Cathedral from the clerestory. The scissor arches are older than those at Wells Cathedral and may well have been the inspiration for them. On the roof can be seen the 'ghosts' of the original C13 murals and their C19 update.
December 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Looking across the Presbytery crossing vaults at Salisbury Cathedral from the clerestory. The scissor arches are older than those at Wells Cathedral and may well have been the inspiration for them. On the roof can be seen the 'ghosts' of the original C13 murals and their C19 update.
The Fabulous West Window of Fairford church. The upper register contains a Resurrection view, the lower are primarily scenes of Judgement.
December 1, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Fabulous West Window of Fairford church. The upper register contains a Resurrection view, the lower are primarily scenes of Judgement.
Palimpsest is such a lovely word. Here's an example in the C11 chapel of St Martin at Wareham, Dorset. Layers of decoration and script overlay each other on the Chancel arch. Gorgeous.
November 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Palimpsest is such a lovely word. Here's an example in the C11 chapel of St Martin at Wareham, Dorset. Layers of decoration and script overlay each other on the Chancel arch. Gorgeous.
Who said that sermons cannot be colourful? A lovely pulpit from Torbryan in Devon made from reused C15 wood from the (intact) screen. #SundaySermons
November 30, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Who said that sermons cannot be colourful? A lovely pulpit from Torbryan in Devon made from reused C15 wood from the (intact) screen. #SundaySermons
Fiona and I had that discussion at the time, however, both the church and www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/294... suggests St George too. His other works are more 'conventional' with the cross emblazoned on his shield, for example the attached.
November 30, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Fiona and I had that discussion at the time, however, both the church and www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/294... suggests St George too. His other works are more 'conventional' with the cross emblazoned on his shield, for example the attached.
When you're 100 miles from home and you suddenly remember that you didn't turn off the iron...or did you?
November 29, 2025 at 9:20 PM
When you're 100 miles from home and you suddenly remember that you didn't turn off the iron...or did you?
High up on Dartmoor the enormous granite tower of Holy Trinity Torbryan stands to show that not only the church is there but also the village. An unearthly and phenonemal church well worth the trek to visit. #SteepleSaturday
November 29, 2025 at 6:40 PM
High up on Dartmoor the enormous granite tower of Holy Trinity Torbryan stands to show that not only the church is there but also the village. An unearthly and phenonemal church well worth the trek to visit. #SteepleSaturday
Two C12 dragons pulling at the rosette above the door into Egleton church in Rutland. Is it fanciful to think this is sin pulling at the purity of the experience of God who is to be found in the church.
November 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Two C12 dragons pulling at the rosette above the door into Egleton church in Rutland. Is it fanciful to think this is sin pulling at the purity of the experience of God who is to be found in the church.
The lovely old chancel or possibly parclose screen cut down and placed at the west end of the church at Egleton, Rutland. Old wood has such a peaceful, restful quality.
November 29, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The lovely old chancel or possibly parclose screen cut down and placed at the west end of the church at Egleton, Rutland. Old wood has such a peaceful, restful quality.
A mish mash of ages, however, the 13th Century font at Oakham is rather lovely. The cover is C19 or possibly early C20 and the base is probably C13 remodelled.
November 28, 2025 at 7:21 PM
A mish mash of ages, however, the 13th Century font at Oakham is rather lovely. The cover is C19 or possibly early C20 and the base is probably C13 remodelled.
Another capital sculpture for All saints, Oakham. This time we see the expulsion from Eden. Adam and Eve are accompanied by an angel with a scythe – a suggestion that I have read is that the angel perhaps represents the final harvest of souls?
November 28, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Another capital sculpture for All saints, Oakham. This time we see the expulsion from Eden. Adam and Eve are accompanied by an angel with a scythe – a suggestion that I have read is that the angel perhaps represents the final harvest of souls?
14th Century Green Man capital at All Saints, Oakham, Rutland.
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 PM
14th Century Green Man capital at All Saints, Oakham, Rutland.
My response to most of today's Budget.
November 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My response to most of today's Budget.
Hidden down a hill on a country lane, St Nicholas, Barfrestone, Kent, it's C12 origin still very much evident.
November 26, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Hidden down a hill on a country lane, St Nicholas, Barfrestone, Kent, it's C12 origin still very much evident.
Recently I visited the extraordinary St Luke, Gaddesby, Leics. The southern and western frontage of the south aisle concludes in a chapel to an unknown person/people and has an incongruous 'collar'. Note the window is out of synch with the niche and how the entire porch is moved on the south side.
November 25, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Recently I visited the extraordinary St Luke, Gaddesby, Leics. The southern and western frontage of the south aisle concludes in a chapel to an unknown person/people and has an incongruous 'collar'. Note the window is out of synch with the niche and how the entire porch is moved on the south side.
St Peter and St Paul by Jasper and Molly Kettlewell at All Saints, Marden, Wilts. Glass made in 1958.
November 25, 2025 at 6:34 PM
St Peter and St Paul by Jasper and Molly Kettlewell at All Saints, Marden, Wilts. Glass made in 1958.
Old doors are always fascinating. The ironwork on this door at Kempley, Glos, includes split curl straps (i.e. the C shape has an iron band extending from its centre) and date from the 12th Century.
November 25, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Old doors are always fascinating. The ironwork on this door at Kempley, Glos, includes split curl straps (i.e. the C shape has an iron band extending from its centre) and date from the 12th Century.
A mix of tiles at Stoke Charity, Hants. #TilesonTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
A mix of tiles at Stoke Charity, Hants. #TilesonTuesday
Any medieval midwives out there? Here is a scene of the Nativity in the fragmentary C13/14 wall paintings at Cold Overton, Leics. The infant Christ seems to be held aloft in a tree like structure that forms his cradle. Presumably this is a manger more usually designed to hold animal feed.
November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Any medieval midwives out there? Here is a scene of the Nativity in the fragmentary C13/14 wall paintings at Cold Overton, Leics. The infant Christ seems to be held aloft in a tree like structure that forms his cradle. Presumably this is a manger more usually designed to hold animal feed.
At Egleton in Rutland the Chancel arch painting of the Arms of King George III possibly flanked by St Edmund, to whom the church is dedicated, is newly restored. Th effect is quite striking even in the damp gloom of a late November afternoon.
November 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
At Egleton in Rutland the Chancel arch painting of the Arms of King George III possibly flanked by St Edmund, to whom the church is dedicated, is newly restored. Th effect is quite striking even in the damp gloom of a late November afternoon.
St Peter, Brooke in Rutland is a magical church. Extensively rebuilt in 1579 probably by the Noel family who had taken over the dissolved former Augustinian Priory. A true Elizabethan church inside is a mass of benches, panels and post Reformation style.
November 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
St Peter, Brooke in Rutland is a magical church. Extensively rebuilt in 1579 probably by the Noel family who had taken over the dissolved former Augustinian Priory. A true Elizabethan church inside is a mass of benches, panels and post Reformation style.
The moles at Withcote Chapel seem very determined! I hope this was not an attempt to unearth a coffin. 🥺 Bonus finger in shot!
November 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The moles at Withcote Chapel seem very determined! I hope this was not an attempt to unearth a coffin. 🥺 Bonus finger in shot!
And they certainly have done. A fabulous array of equine footwear. Methinks some of them have horses with very large feet/hooves indeed! (Oakham Castle)
November 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
And they certainly have done. A fabulous array of equine footwear. Methinks some of them have horses with very large feet/hooves indeed! (Oakham Castle)
How medieval bell ringers rang the church bells. Perhaps this is a Sanctus bell; there must’ve been an interesting pulley system given the geometry of the angle of the rope. (Stoke Dry, Rutland)
November 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
How medieval bell ringers rang the church bells. Perhaps this is a Sanctus bell; there must’ve been an interesting pulley system given the geometry of the angle of the rope. (Stoke Dry, Rutland)
Gaddesby Church in the sunshine for #SteepleSaturday
November 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Gaddesby Church in the sunshine for #SteepleSaturday