Quite why Adderbury's parish church is not better known is a mystery;
it is without question one of the more enjoyable churches I've had
the pleasure of visiting. The oldest parts date to the 13th century,
but most of the current church is 14th century. The real joy of Adderbury
is the wealth of wonderful carvings that decorate the building inside
and out. Gargoyles and grotesques abound, with mythological figures
of animals and humans, lords and ladies. The chancel is said to be
the work of William of Wykeham (1324-1404), Bishop of Winchester and
founder of New College, Oxford. Wykeham's head and coat of arms are
above the east window.
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of the image
St Mary's Adderbury. The setting
is lovely, in a lane below the High Street, looking over the river
An unusual bow window on the west
end of the north aisle. This type of window is most common in
secular architecture in the late medieval and Tudor periods.
Gargoyle on the roofline of the south
aisle
The exterior north wall is decorated
with a fantastic frieze with carved animal, human, and mythological
creatures.
More of the frieze on the north wall; here is a mermaid with
two tails.
The nave, begun in the 13th century,
remodeled in the 14th century
The chancel and east window. I am
not normally a fan of Victorian restoration, but the work here
is absolutely stunning. You won't see better carving anywhere,
and the overall effect is one of light, space, and awe.
Detail of the east window in the chancel. Within the chancel
is the coat of arms of William of Wykeham, one of the most
powerful men of the medieval period, who was probably responsible
for building of the chancel.
Just a sample of the many, many corbel heads in the nave and aisles
Another corbel head
The pier in the south aisle is decorated with heads of knights,
while ...
... the pier in the north aisle depicts ladies in wimples
Capital carving in the north aisle of Adderbury St Mary's
His most famous works included Holkham Hall, and the Horse Guards in WhitehallHis son in law, Capability Brown, became the leading landscape gardener in English history
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