Tuesday, 12 January 2016

Coombes

Coombes Church


Small Saxon church with later additions nestling in the Downs. Made of the local flint. Dedication lost- was possibly originally to St John the Baptist. It's mentioned in Doomsday. Simple yet simply stunning.

Beautiful surviving patches of mainly 12th century wall paintings rediscovered in 1949. Patterns, figures, religiously themed- designed for the non reading laity.


This one below I read possibly indicates the original width of the chancel.


Below is the eagle of St John. I thought it was a dog...there's a reason why I wear 'L' plates in such matters. I am just very enthusiastic but lacking in the knowledge department.


And faces from so long ago. Having seen a book with the incredibly realistic Roman frescoes in Pompeii recently, is the depiction here crude or just stylised and reminiscent of the taste of the age I wonder? The long fingers fascinate me.



Loved it but we hope to return on our own with Mr GBT's camera as he will be able to take better quality shots when we have more time to spend there and combine it with a trip to Lancing college chapel which is within spitting distance. Although I knew in advance that we were going to be visiting you never know what you might discover or see when out walking. The most mundane of strolls can yield all sorts of delights I find.

Arilx

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5 comments:

  1. lovelygrey12 January 2016 at 06:40

    I love it. Are those flinty churches typical down your way. It seems that different localities have different themes when it comes to the use of building materials. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aril12 January 2016 at 14:02

      The area where the Downs is is covered in flint so it's the nearest building material to hand. I'm in the Weald which is flat bit between the North and South Downs so we're on clay with lots of woodlnad hence it's all bricks and wood herex

      Delete
  2. kjsutcliffe12 January 2016 at 08:08

    I had a closer look at the eagle of St John and see why you thought it was a dog, it reminded me of a gryphon. Wonder what paint medium they were using? Or has the colour altered over time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aril12 January 2016 at 14:03

      I think the paint was made from the different coloured ochres.
      Arilx

      Delete
  3. Cro Magnon13 January 2016 at 05:30

    I remember it well now, the exterior is particularly beautiful. Being a Sussex lad, I adore flint.

    ReplyDelete

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