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 nineteenth century 'antiquarian' vicar perhaps?) eager to reveal some more of the Tudor structure. Whatever regrets we may harbour at the destruction here, the construction of the mausoleum in the Eighteenth century remains something to see!

Open the wooden door, and you are presented with a wrought iron gate that allows a great view of the coffin-holes. The ones on the east side are nearly full of Berney bodies, encased in their chambers as if in Roman catacombs. Indeed, many of these gentle folk will have been steeped in classical education - including, no doubt, travelling on the Grand Tour - and will have found it pleasing to 'echo' antiquity in this way. 

Stepping back into the chancel, there are some uninterrupted remnants of the Early English chancel, dating to the late 1200s/early 1300s - an architectural period and style that very much appeals to my tastes. 

Finally, walking around the outside of the church, I noted this most 'rustic' of skulls on a wall monument on the east wall. It seems fitting to finish this piece with a reminder of mortality, so look long and ponder...

'All you who do this place pass by &c...'

The Fallible Flâneur <*(((((><{