2017

SK6023 : Belvoir Angel headstone, St Mary's Churchyard, Wymeswold

taken 7 years ago, near to Wymeswold, Leicestershire, England

Belvoir Angel headstone, St Mary's Churchyard, Wymeswold
Belvoir Angel headstone, St Mary's Churchyard, Wymeswold
Most of the stones with angel heads in the churchyard here are derivative, rather than 'true' Belvoir angels. They are clearly from a different workshop as the detailing is different and the quality of the inscription much higher. To sisters Sarah Doughty (d.1726) and Elizabeth Whitby (nee Doughty) (d.1717).
Belvoir Angels

This name is given to a group of gravestones loosely based on the Vale of Belvoir.
They are carved from the (relatively) locally sourced Swithland slate (from Swithland in Charnwood Forest to the west of Loughborough), and at the head of the gravestone have a carved depiction of an angel's head flanked by wings. This is supposed to represent the soul of the deceased ascending to heaven. Some larger stones have a pair of angels side by side.
The angel is in most instances flanked by a stylised depiction of an hourglass and crossed bones, and the panel usually includes a short phrase; examples include 'Come ye blessed', 'Death is gain'.
Below the angel is the commemorative inscription, often to more than one person, and this is followed by a short verse. A small number of stones also include a short biblical text.
In a few instances the angel panel is situated between the commemorative text and the verse, or even below all the text, and in at least one instance the verse is inscribed on the rear face. A number of stones are carved with a full memorial on both sides of the stone, and there are a few instances of the edge being used also.
They date from the period 1690 to 1759, and those located in the Vale itself, and centred on Hickling, appear to be the work of just one or two masons, although no information as to their identity appears to exist.

For a more comprehensive discussion, see LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Alan Murray-Rust and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Village, Rural settlement Burial ground, Crematorium Material: Slate Date: 1717 1726 Name: Belvoir Angels Period: Early 18th Century other tags: Gravestone Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Belvoir Angel Headstone [6] Title Clusters: · Belvoir Angel headstone, St Mary's Churchyard, Wymeswold [6] ·
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SK6023, 188 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Alan Murray-Rust   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Monday, 20 February, 2017   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 22 February, 2017
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SK 6032 2344 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:48.3089N 1:6.3998W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SK 6032 2344
View Direction
West-southwest (about 247 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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