Why are there TWO towers on that church?
Well, there used to be three towers; a big one at this end and two smaller ones at the other end. Except that in those days the one this end used to be in the middle, as it was a much bigger church - an Abbey in fact.
In 1107 William d'Albini, whom we met before at Castle Rising, founded a Benedictine priory on this site. There was a large church and many associated buildings. In 1376 the monks commenced constructing an octagonal tower in the centre of the abbey. It still stands though has been redundant since Henry VIII did away with the monasteries. Then the part of the church which was formerly used by the monks was pulled down, leaving the tower standing aloof but unused. Meanwhile the remaining portion of the building serves as the parish church.
Fine as all this ancient stonework is, I've actually come here to see something much more recent, a work of art that is not without it's critics, but one which you certainly can't ignore. Step inside and take a look.
The eastern end of the church, which was formerly used by the monks, was walled off and the congregation had to stare at a plain wall till in 1913 Sir Ninian Comper was chosen to design this reredos, a decorative screen behind the altar. War interrupted its construction and it was later decided that it should be a memorial to those sacrificed in that senseless slaughter.
All I can do (apart from say "Wow!") is show you some details. If you want to find out who is represented by the various statues then Wymondham Abbey's own website will help.
It had been a typical, grey November day, but as I sat looking up at the richly gilded figures the sun broke through and streamed in through the clerestory windows to illuminate the scene. Perfect. But does this grand building still operate as the parish church of the people of Wymondham.?
You bet it does....
Anyone who reads these posts regularly may remember Robert Kett, who led a rebellion against landowners who enclosed the common lands in 1549. He was a Wymondham man and as I made my way out through the churchyard I happened to see this gravestone...
...one of Kett's descendants presumably.
Take care.
That screen is very impressive!
ReplyDeleteFrom the gentle grey of the stone on the outside you wouldn't expect to see such a colurful, ornate screen inside. It is very impressive and I enjoyed finding 'who's who' on your link to the Abbey's website. I love the angels on the corners of the canopy:)
ReplyDeleteAll the statues and gold remind me of Roman Catholic churches in Canada, or Greek Orthodox. I particularly like the angel blowing the trumpet. Very fitting if this is a memorial to people who died in war. The angel is announcing the triumph of good over evil, even as people sadly count the cost of war. Good will prevail. Great shot of the teddies in the nursery area with the screen in the background. The new, the old all tied together.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is rather showy for a Church of England building; almost as though the monks were still exerting an influence.
DeleteOh, how gorgeous is that? I love visiting ruined abbeys and castles too but the closest I've come to Norfolk was when I went to Norwich and I spent some time at the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds on that trip too. You're right, the wall behind that organ is quite spectacular - great photos!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you, Mandy. If you look back a few posts you'll see that I've been to Bury St Eds quite recently.
DeleteWhat a grand and beautiful place to visit. I try to think what I might find, had I walked the mountains here in California in the year 1300. It always boggles my mind to consider what was happening on the planet 700 years ago in places as different as this spectacular abbey and the natives here fishing for salmon in the wild rivers.
ReplyDeleteYep, that wall definitely deserves a "WOW!" Just a tad ostentatious, though. ;)) I say that but then have to admit I do enjoy visiting such places.
ReplyDeleteWhat particularly interested me was your top photo. Your graveyard has a rather helter skelter look to its placement of tombstones. Rather different than those I have seen in the U.S. Interesting. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI would've wow-ed with you - incredible feat, no matter what one thinks of it art-wise. Very much enjoyed the historic journey...and that 2nd-from-last glimpse of a very much well-used parish church today:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's overwhelming. The details on the statues are beautifully done, but my favorite is the trumpeting angels. You'd certainly know you'd been to church. Those little plastic chairs provide a nice counterpoint to all the grandeur.
ReplyDeleteWow appears to be an appropriate response. Such a beautiful place. I love the detail shots.
ReplyDeleteHi John, thanks for stopping by. I thought the frost patterns looked like mountains too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy visiting old churches and buildings too so enjoyed this visit. Like everyone else 'wow' seems to sum up that screen!
Even with almost no background knowledge about Christianity, I enjoyed and sighed in amazement for the meticulous statues and engravings on the screen. I like the simple, placid outside and the impressive interior made of nice combination of colors, mainly white, gold and blue. I feel nostalgia for the grey or beige colored stone walls, though old architectures were made of wood and clay in my culture.
ReplyDeleteYoko
They all like to leave their stamp on the building. At least they still look better than the walkie scorch
ReplyDeleteAh yes, there you go, I looked at the next post before looking at the abbey post :-) so, so beautiful, I wonder if those sweet little bears appreciate their surroundings!
ReplyDeletegrand photographs of an amazing building. I really like the stonework and what a transformation with the decorative screen inside. I can't but help wonder of the cost. So much rich detail.
ReplyDelete'WOW' is the only sane response to such magnificence! But the teddy bears are a nice touch too ...
ReplyDelete