Somerset Hunky Punks: Isle Abbots & Curry Rivel Parish Churches
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...
The Jennings Tomb Monument at Curry Rivel Church: An Example of The English Renaissance in the early-17th C
A few years ago, I ventured into the parish church of St Andrew at Curry Rivel in south Somerset and couldn’t help but admire this extraordinary tomb monument from the early-17th C. The stone, plaster and paint bring it alive in a unique way that we don’t often see...
TEWKESBURY ABBEY: Art in the 14th C – The Nave Vault Bosses Depicting the Life of Christ
Tewkesbury Abbey was originally a Benedictine monastery and is now a parish church. It was built in the early 12th C and remains, although in part, a significant example of Norman architecture. In the 14th C the abbey received an upgrade. This post looks at the...
Tewkesbury Abbey: 14th C Faces
On a recent visit to Tewkesbury Abbey, I was struck by the carvings of individual faces from the 14th C. The abbey had an upgrade in the 1320-1350 period, which is likely when the faces were carved. These are faces from over 670 years ago. What were the times they...
1790: ADVICE TO FATHERS – ‘Women, like wines, are not the better for keeping’
I am presently recording the diaries of Edward Phelips V (1725-1797) of Montacute House. They are in different places and have started my project at Montacute House itself, which has kept 4 of them. These are for the years 1759-1774 (one diary - with some backdated...
THOMAS WOLSEY – The Route to Power, Wealth & Magnificence in Tudor England via Somerset
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...
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.