2014

SP8526 : Stewkley - St Michael - Chancel groin rib intersection

taken 11 years ago, near to Stewkley, Buckinghamshire, England

Stewkley - St Michael - Chancel groin rib intersection
Stewkley - St Michael - Chancel groin rib intersection
A groin vault is effectively two barrel vaults intersecting at right angles - this creates the cross-shape seen here where the ribs of the vaults meet.
This Norman groin vault is above the chancel of St Michael's, Stewkley. It can be seen at slightly wider angle, and brighter lighting here SP8526 : Stewkley - St Michael - Chancel groin roof
The deep red painting dates from the Victorian restoration of the church by G.E.Street (1862).
See also shared description below and links therein.
Stewkley - St Michael

St Michael in the large village of Stewkley is one of the most complete and unaltered Norman churches in Britain. Only the south porch and south vestry from the C19th, and late 14th-century pinnacles, parapet and stair-turret to the tower date from later than c.1160 when the nave, tower and chancel were built in the reign of Henry II. (There are also a few modern buttresses to the chancel to help stabilise it).
The church was sensitively restored by G.E. Street 1862, at which time most traces from intervening centuries were removed. The chancel had previously required its roof to be rebuilt in 1844. The nave and tower also have C19th roofs.

There is a wealth of zig-zag or chevron ornamentation to windows, doors and arches. The interior being a particularly overwhelming array of these Norman geometric designs.
The interior is also unusual in having two arches (both Norman) the first between the nave and the tower, the second between tower and chancel.
The church contains a contemporaneous Norman "Tub" font.
There is a plan of the church here LinkExternal link
For much more detail on this church see:
EH Grade I listing LinkExternal link
BHO (VCH) information LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Rob Farrow and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Historic sites and artefacts Village, Rural settlement Religious sites Primary Subject: Church Interior Roof Place: Stewkley Listed Building Status: Grade I Period: Norman other tags: Groin Vault Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Stewkley Church [64] · Chancel Groin [2] Other Photos: · Stewkley - St Michael - Chancel groin roof ·
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SP8526, 130 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Rob Farrow   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Monday, 29 December, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 15 January, 2015
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 8522 2610 [10m precision]
WGS84: 51:55.6142N 0:45.7248W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 8522 2610
View Direction
EAST (about 90 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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