North Cadbury Church, Somerset – 3 ELEMENTS: Monument, Ferramenta & Bench Ends
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...
15th Century-Stained Glass – Saints of The Golden Legend: The Dragon Window, Trull, Somerset
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 the...
The Evolution of English Stained Glass 1: Late-7th Century until 14th Century
Dating stained glass is not a simple task. The techniques, colours, designs, window tracery, ferramenta, content, symbolism, intended purpose, commission and position need to be examined. This post is to give an introduction to some of the considerations. Between the...
All Saints’ Church, York: Pricke of Conscience Window – Morality in Stained Glass 15th-C Style
Situated towards the eastern end of the north aisle of the church of All Saints, York is a remarkable stained glass (painted) window. The window consists of 3 lights with 6 image panels in each light, totalling 18 panels. There is light tracery also. The images panels...
The Sign of the Angel at Lacock: Late 15th C Inn named after a gold coin
Tucked away in the narrow part of Church Street in Lacock is the Sign of the Angel Inn. The Angel Inn was built at the end of the 15th C, possibly circa 1480.[i] It was possibly an inn from the start. However, in the 16th or early 17th C it was believed to have been...
Images of the Medieval Church: Stained Glass at All Saints’ York – Angels, Acts of Mercy & Spectacles
The 14th and 15th centuries produced diverse artwork in churches that reflected back to the viewer an image to provoke thought about the state of their soul and moral life. It could be instructive about areas such as social order and morality lessons such as those...
Exploring Building History
Exploring Building History is a non-commercial site. It is my own personal musings on architectural history. There is wealth of built heritage in England, and as I explore and think about what I see, I post my reflections on this site.





