Shared description
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 Link
For much more detail on this church see:
EH Grade I listing Link
BHO (VCH) information Link
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 Link
For much more detail on this church see:
EH Grade I listing Link
BHO (VCH) information Link
by Rob Farrow
Created: Thu, 15 Jan 2015, Updated: Fri, 16 Jan 2015
8 images use this description:
2021
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
Shared descriptions
This shared description
The 'Shared Description' text on this page is © copyright 2015 Rob Farrow.
Shared descriptions are specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse them on their own images, without restriction.
About shared descriptions
These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images.
For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.
Explore images
Log in to view extended navigation and 'Explore' links.Other shared descriptions
Search for other Shared Descriptions.
