Shelton, St Mary, Norfolk: Beautiful Unfinished Business

I arrived at Shelton in the company of my friend, Stu McPherson, on a bright September morning. I knew that the church would look wonderful on a day like this and it did not disappoint. The sunlight falling upon the south-facing late fifteenth century salmon pink diapered brickwork looked wonderful. Whenever I visit this church I find myself reflecting on counter-factuals, starting - on this occasion - with speculation as to what the patron of this church, Sir Ralph Shelton, had in mind to replace the diminutive and rather plain early fifteen century tower... probably, something large and lofty, constructed with fashionable brick to maintain continuity. 

Sir Ralph, who served as the High Sheriff of Norfolk poured money into the rebuild of the church. When death intervened in 1497 his will, cited by Simon Knott (Norfolk Churches - Shelton), indicates his intention for the work to be brought to conclusion:

'To make up completely [my emphasis] the church of Shelton aforesaid in masonry, tymber, iron and leede accordinge to the form as I have begunne it.' 

The diaper-patterned brickwork on the frontage of the porch shows well here, with this handsome 'face' betraying no clues as to what lies within...

But upon entering the porch, look up and a surprising sight greets you! Here is one of several parts of this fascinating and ambitiously conceived church that appears incomplete. There is some debate as to whether or not this was finished and then robbed out at a later date, but I think it most likely that construction here was never completed. However, for me, impressive though the vaulting would have been, it is perhaps more interesting to see the interior of what was intended to be a parvis above the porch. 

Simon Knott refers to a hammerbeam roof that was, 'supposedly taken away in the 18th Century to be used for a tithe barn' to be replaced with a white plaster ceiling, pictured here. If anything, this, together with the perpendicular vertical lines, only accentuates the light, airy interior that draws our eyes up heavenwards - a veritable 'theology of light'!

Sir Ralph is depicted in a window at the east of the south aisle, kneeling reverently opposite his wife (presumably, Margaret, his second wife). In the lower lights of the window are depicted a barrel with a shell on top. This is a 'rebus', a visual pun on the founder's name ('tun' being a barrel/cask) ie 'Shell-tun'

Here is what was intended to be the founder's tomb. However, as you can see, it was never completed and, although his descendants are names on the sides of it, Sir Ralph is not mentioned, which seems ungenerous given his central role as patron of the church - especially given the instructions in his will. 

Here is a lectern clearly recycled from the timbers of the rood screen, described by Mortlock & Roberts as, 'a curiously ungainly article'. 

Poppyheads standing on parade as sunlight shimmers illuminate the north aisle wall. 

Finally, when it comes to Royal Arms, my 'go to' source is always, Mortlock & Roberts, 'The Guide to Norfolk Churches'. Here is what they have to say about this example high up above the tower arch:

'[Here] is yet another treasure in view - the Royal Arms of William III [reign: 1689-1702]. This is one of the best sets in the county and came by gift to the church in 1881, long after it was made. 6ft. x 8ft. and carved in gilded and painted oak, it has luxuriant mantling to the helm, and the bottom panel is full of vivacious fruit and flowers carved in the style of Grinling Gibbons.'

So, why were Sir Ralph's ambitious plans never fully realised? There are records of bequests to the rood loft in the 1520s and 1530s, suggesting the church was nearing completion, so the most likely explanation is that the turbulence in the wake of the Reformation may well have been a factor. Even so, it seems very curious that the founder's tomb remained incomplete. Did the money run out, or was he not so fondly remembered by his immediate family? Regardless of these speculations, even a nearly-finished Shelton is a marvel and I urge you to visit for yourself - and, if you do, I urge you to take the opportunity to exercise your voice as the acoustics here are amazing. 

The Fallible Flâneur <*(((((><{