Bracon Ash, St Nicholas, Norfolk: Mortality
The neo-classical architecture of the Berney mausoleum, seen here on the south-east corner of the, otherwise, medieval church. My little 'party' of travellers decided upon an impromptu stop at St Nicholas, Bracon Ash, Norfolk. I had visited here before, so I knew that my companions would be in for a treat exploring this lovely little church. A feature of particular interest here is the eighteenth century Berney family mausoleum, rather 'hidden' behind this plain door on the south side of the chancel. It is - shall we say - 'jarring' to realise that, in constructing their mausoleum, the decision was made to smash through an early sixteenth century terracotta monument in order to forge the entrance to the new structure. Stylistically, it bears such a close resemblance to the terracotta work at Oxborough, that it must surely have been made in the same workshop. What remains now frames the entrance, the clean lines of which have been broken by curious folk (a ni...
