The Stately Homes of EnglandJewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
History
The Stately Homes of England
Jewitt, Llewellynn Frederick William
Historic buildings -- England
The mural decorations, of which traces have been found, are of various
character and of much interest. The oldest fragments are two running
patterns of good design. One is on the arches of the north arcade, and
of the same date as the stonework on which it appears, viz., about
1310. The other, which seems to be of the same age, is on one of the
jambs of the east window of the south aisle, over the altar. In this
window there are traces of a figure, now almost entirely destroyed.
Over the arches of the nave there are traces of two different designs,
one on each wall. Both are much defaced. On the west wall of the nave
there is a design consisting of a running pattern of rose branches
and leaves, with red flowers of five petals. The stems and leaves are
shaded grey and black. Traces of the same design have been found on the
walls of the south aisle, and on the jambs of its west window. The date
of this rose pattern is probably about 1427, when the glass of the east
window of the chancel was put in.
There is a pattern of green and dull red on the east wall of the
chancel, and on the south wall is a very similar pattern, which
enclosed four groups of figures, two on each side of the window over
the sedilia bench. There is no border surrounding each group, but
merely the diaper pattern. They are probably of the same date as the
glass in the east window. The figures of these groups are generally
effectively drawn, though with occasional exaggeration and distortion.
They are in distemper on the plaster, and are black, with the exception
of some dresses, which are green. There are scrolls to each group,
corresponding with the number of figures, but without any name. These
groups had been much injured before they were covered with whitewash,
and the injury appears as if partially intentional. The groups form
a series of subjects, and commence with the upper group on the east
side of the window. The subject is the presentation of the Virgin
in the Temple by Joachim and Anna. The three figures remain. Below
this is a group, much injured, apparently Anna teaching the Virgin to
read, whilst Joachim stands by. Two of these groups, for which we are
indebted to the “Reliquary,” are here shown.
[Illustration: _Wall-paintings in the Chapel._]
The upper group on the west is a Holy Family. The Virgin holds the
infant Jesus in her arms; St. Joseph stands by; St. John the Baptist
raises his hands and eyes towards the infant Saviour.
Below this is a group, much injured, with four scrolls, and apparently
four figures. A female figure, probably the Virgin, seems to be
carrying a child, whilst a male figure follows behind. There seem to be
indications of a fourth and small figure. The subject appears to be
the flight into Egypt, with, contrary to custom, the figure of St. John
introduced.
Traces of colour are found on the fenestella of the piscina, on the
circular columns of the south arcade, and on the brackets near the
altar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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