Necton, All Saints: Heavenly Visions

 

In East Anglia there are many fine angel roofs. One of my personal favourites is the exquisite fifteenth century roof within Necton Church in the west of Norfolk. Set in a church of modest proportions, it is physically more proximate to us and therefore easier to appreciate with the naked eye. 

Here is a description of the roof by Thomas Kitson Cromwell [Source: Excursions in the County of Norfolk, Volume II (1818)]

'The roof is of oak, curiously worked and embellished; angels, with their wings expanded, support the principals. Under these, on pedestals, stand the twelve apostles, carved in oak, about four feet in length, painted and gilt, bearing in their hands the instruments of their martyrdom. Six of these are placed on the north side of the nave, with the effigies of our Saviour in the midst, with an orb and a cross in his hand. On the south side are the other six, with the Virgin Mary in the midst, and St. John the evangelist on her right hand, and below there are several bishops, also raised upon pedestals.' 

The Fallible Flaneur <*(((((><(