Sadly due to the stormy weather only eight visitors were able to enjoy Martin's fascinating illustrated talk, here are my rough notes taken on the night. These snippets are wonderful and worth reseraching further on the Internet or in books.
“A
miscellany of little known facts about Churches.”
Ogham: a script used in Celtic times.
A Viking tomb, 8th C, known as a
Hogs Back Tomb.
Various Saxon crosses, the
one in Colyton church found after a fire and reconstructed.
The Saxon stone building
pattern of Long and short work in a Saxon Crypt.
Romsey Abbey has an
example a carving Dextera (Right Hand of God).
Norman font in Clyst St
Lawrence Church. Old fonts would often be reused in new churches.
Norman chevrons and beak
head carving on Iffley Church, Oxford
The Rose for the Virgin
Mary.
The Daisy for the Virgin
Mary and virginity.
The Green Man origins are
unknow, but many myths surround him, thought to signify rebirth and the Spring.
Bestiality animals carved
in various forms and symbols.
Sheela na gig a carved
figure of an old hag showing all her nakedness
11th / 12th C.
signifying lust and evil,
atropay or fallen.
Mensa table with
consecration crosses.
There 2 tombs in the UK with original saint bones, these
have holes to place your head to pray or place a withered limb.
Masons and Carpenter
marks. Used to show work done for their pay or aligning joints.
The Church house used as
village hall and brew house for ale revels, Bridal is derived from the Bride
Ale.
Sundials, round and linear
Sanctuary ring or knob on the door, once grasped, you 40 days to arrange for your defence.
Hunky Punks are a form of
carved figure placed on the outside of churches, Hunky means to hunker down and
punk is short legged
Pelican shed her blood to
feed her young, she dies, but the young survive, as Christ shed his blood to
save us.
Gurney stove an early
heater for the church
Funeral helmets.
Hatchments hung on house
then moved to church, male on the left, wife on the right, black background
shows the death.
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