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Therron Welstead

@TherronWelstead

Ph.D survivor, site supervisor @ehosbornehouse, bulletin editor for the @castle_studies group. I'm often found exploring castles, abbeys and churches.

 Isle of Wight
instagram.com/islandhistorian/
Joined November 2014
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Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)Photo by Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
The beautiful vaulted nave of St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, is one of several designs of gothic vaulting that covers the entire ceiling of the church. This section was built between 1337 & 1342. The many, many bosses alone are of note, let alone the overall design. #medievalmonday
Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
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Bodiam Castle, E. Sussex. It is a challenge to take a bad photo of this C14 castle. It was built in the centre of a designed landscape for Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, who made much of his money during the Hundred Years. #castlesaturday
Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
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The wonderful billiard table in Tyntesfield (Somerset) was made by James Plunknett & Co in 1884 for Antony Gibbs. On the sides are 12 carved oak panels depicting traditional sports and pastimes such as archery, bowls, & wrestling. 1/3
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Antony Gibbs incorporated the latest mod-cons in Tynesfield incl. heating the billiard table. The slate bed was heated by iron hot water pipes, which in turn are connected to the central heating system. The heat kept the cushions & baize free from damp. #ironworkthursday 2/3
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Another technological feature is that the table was electrified and connected to the scoreboard. Players would push buttons on the table to record their scores. The scoreboard was probably made by the same maker of the billiard table, James Plunkett & Co 3/3
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St Peter's Church, Preston, Brighton. A c.1260 painting of the murder of Thomas Becket. Although the painting is fairly well preserved, it along with the rest of the church, was damaged in a fire in 1906. #wallpaintingwednesday
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Yarmouth Castle (Isle of Wight) is an artillery coastal fort built for Henry VIII in 1547. One of many constructed to counter the threat of French attack. Today it's a great place to explore and watch the boats sail by on the Solent. #TudorTuesday 1/4
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In the vaulting of the castle is a statue of an archbishop, showing some of the stone originally came from an monastic building, such as Quarr Abbey when they were dissolved (see yesterday's thread). The reuse of stone from monasteries to build Henry's defences was common. 3/4
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There are several mason marks designs in the castle, mostly dating to the 1632 alterations. Once you get your eye in, you'll see them all over the place. The mason would be paid by the block; by carving their mark, it meant they would be paid for their work. #epigraphytuesday 4/4
Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
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Recently, I went on a tour of the ruins of Cistercian Abbey of Quarr, Isle if Wight, founded in 1132. A great opportunity as the tours only happen a few times a year. It's a chance to see the surviving features such as the infirmary chapel. #medievalmonday 1/5
A ruin building on the right, including a near round rounded arched window. On the left is a tree that around a wall, which subsequently collapsed leaving an arched gap in the tree.

ALT A ruin building on the right, including a near round rounded arched window. On the left is a tree that around a wall, which subsequently collapsed leaving an arched gap in the tree.

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Although the abbey is ruins thanks to its dissolution in xxxx during the Reformation, reuse of stone, and the ravages of time, there are many interesting features that survive such as most significantly (i think) the earliest surviving gunports in the UK dating to the 1360s. 2/5
A gunport near the ground. A square recess in a stone wall. The thinned section is pierced by a round hole.

ALT A gunport near the ground. A square recess in a stone wall. The thinned section is pierced by a round hole.

A gunport. A square recess in a stone wall. The thinned section is pierced by a round hole, but subsequently blocked.

ALT A gunport. A square recess in a stone wall. The thinned section is pierced by a round hole, but subsequently blocked.

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1536. Sigh. Always proofread before posting/sending!
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The context for the license to crenellate & the gunports is the 100 Year War (1337-1453) between England & France. Coastal raids were common with many settlements razed, eg Newtown/Francheville (IOW). Although the town is essentially gone, its plan is fossilised by hedges.4/5
A Google satellite image of burgage plots of two row planned town marked by hedges.

ALT A Google satellite image of burgage plots of two row planned town marked by hedges.

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Another of the features that has survived is the kitchen with its cupboards (the slots which housed the wood still clearly visible) and the serving hatch that connected it to the adjacent refectory. 5/5
On the left are two large round headed recesses in the wall. On the sides of the. Are grooves which originally held shelves. On the right is a round headed, which was the serving hatch.

ALT On the left are two large round headed recesses in the wall. On the sides of the. Are grooves which originally held shelves. On the right is a round headed, which was the serving hatch.

Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
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On 24 Oct 1365 the king gave William, abbot of Quarr a licence "to enclose with a wall and crenellate as many plots of land and of such precinct as they please on their own soil in the island... and make castles of fortalices of these." 3/5
A section of wall. A gun port low in the wall can be seen in the left of the picture. A rough field in front.

ALT A section of wall. A gun port low in the wall can be seen in the left of the picture. A rough field in front.

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For #Sundaysermon, I'm going to highlight the gorgeous hexagonal oak pulpit in All Saints, Pavement in York. It stands on a tapered stem. Each of panels has cusped arches ornamented with foliage and flowers. The whole carved by Nicholas Hall. 1/3
The wooden hexagonal pulpit with stairs leading up to it. In the background is the church with stain glass windows and memorials.

ALT The wooden hexagonal pulpit with stairs leading up to it. In the background is the church with stain glass windows and memorials.

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Around the main body of the pulpit are two bible texts. The upper' "Preach the word be instant in season and out if season", (2 Tim 4:2). The lower, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." proverbs 29:18 2/3
A picture highlighting the stem that the pulpit sits on.

ALT A picture highlighting the stem that the pulpit sits on.

A picture of one of the side panels of the pulpit. The text at the top and bottom is gold on a red background. The arch and columns that make up the design are intricately carved.

ALT A picture of one of the side panels of the pulpit. The text at the top and bottom is gold on a red background. The arch and columns that make up the design are intricately carved.

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On the intricately carved underside of the tester (the canopy) has been carved "ano d 1634". Around the outside, the tester is inscribed "It pleased God by the foolishnese of preaching to save them that beleeve." Cor 1:21. Above cherub heads look down at the congregation. 3/3
Looking up at the underside of the wooden tester canopy . ANO D 1634 in gold in a red band within a blue hexagon.

ALT Looking up at the underside of the wooden tester canopy . ANO D 1634 in gold in a red band within a blue hexagon.

Image from Therron Welstead (@TherronWelstead)
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Today's thread is about All Saints Pavement in York. As with many medieval churches, there are quite a few features to point out, but today I will just highlight the bronze doorknocker, which has a man's head being eaten by lion #adoorablethursday 1/4
A bronze door knocker. In the centre is a stylised lion with a bearded man in his mouth. The knocker ring is also held in his mouth. The lion is mounted on a round bronze disc which is held onto the wooden door by 4 large iron nails.

ALT A bronze door knocker. In the centre is a stylised lion with a bearded man in his mouth. The knocker ring is also held in his mouth. The lion is mounted on a round bronze disc which is held onto the wooden door by 4 large iron nails.

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A restored medieval painted version of hell's mouth can be seen at St Thomas's Church in Salisbury as part of a full scene of Judgement Day. Christ in majesty in the centre. On the left, the dead rising from the graves. On the right, souls are being dragged into hell's mouth. 3/4
The painted chancel arch in St Thomas' Church Salisbury

ALT The painted chancel arch in St Thomas' Church Salisbury

A section of the painted doom picture. Souls are rising out if the ground. In the background, buildings represent the city of heaven

ALT A section of the painted doom picture. Souls are rising out if the ground. In the background, buildings represent the city of heaven

A section of the door. Picture a group of people, including Kings and a Bishop have a chain round them and are being dragged down into hell's mouth.

ALT A section of the door. Picture a group of people, including Kings and a Bishop have a chain round them and are being dragged down into hell's mouth.

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In the case of All Saints Pavement, it wasn't just a metaphor; the door knocker also had a purpose. In times gone by, a criminal who was pursued by the law could grasp it and claim sanctuary. A more famous one is the knocker at Durham Cathedral, which had the same purpose. 4/4
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