Oct 27, 2021
A feature that occurs on many churches in Somerset is the Hunky Punk. The grotesque carvings are particularly numerous in the county and the term comes from Somerset dialect. The term derives from 2 old English words – ‘hunkers’, which is squatting on haunches, and...
Aug 27, 2021
The route to power and wealth that Thomas Wolsey (c. 1470/71 to 1530) followed is extraordinary. From the son of a butcher in Ipswich to one of the most powerful men in northern Europe is unparalleled. I wanted to think about Wolsey in terms of making himself like the...
May 18, 2021
The church of St Michael lies to the south of North Cadbury village, adjacent to North Cadbury Court (late 16th C). The church has many fascinating aspects. I have chosen three elements to see where they lead in terms of the church’s history. I visited the exterior of...
May 2, 2021
15th Century-Stained Glass – Saints of The Golden Legend: The Dragon Window, Trull, Somerset At All Saints Church, Trull near Taunton is a fine stained-glass window known as the ‘Dragon Window’. It dates from the late 15th century.[i] The reason it is known as...
Dec 11, 2020
The changing architecture of the English country house demonstrates the evolution of arrangement in how people used and circulated within them. Fashion and educated taste combined with developments in technology provides a fascinating history of country house design....
Nov 30, 2020
With churches closed this year, I have been taking the time to look at their exteriors (when allowed out!). One church that has fascinating carvings that take the viewer back to the early 16th century is St Andrew’s at Cullompton in Mid Devon. On the south side...
