A Visit to Wintringham Church

I came around a corner in the leafy road through Wintringham, on my way to nearby Scamptson Hall, and caught a glimpse of St Peter's church lit by a shaft of sunlight through the trees. It was such a striking sight that I just knew I had to stop and explore the church, and I was glad I did.

Wintringham's church is an exceptional example of a Norman church, though the original Norman design was later extended in a progressive series of rebuildings throughout the medieval period. There are a wonderful collection of interior fittings and furnishings, with superb wall texts, nave and chancel woodwork, and carved screens.

The interior is a delight, and you can well understand Pevsner's comment that Wintringham contains 'an exceptional collection of furnishings ....' Quite right. The quality and sheer volume of historic woodwork inside St Peter's is wonderful to behold. Of particular note are the carved misericords in the chancel. One misericord depicts a Green Man, another shows a grotesque devil with two imps.

The pulpit is Jacobean, though heavily restored, and there is a Jacobean reader's desk of similar style. There are also Jacobean bench pews throughout the church, Jacobean bishop's chair, Jacobean wardrobe, and an elaborately carved poor box from the same period. The font is extremely simple, and dates from the Norman period.

One of the most intriguing bits of historic ephemera at Wintringham is an inscription board under the tower, with humorous admonitions for bellringers. The board reads:

I pray you Gentlemen beware,
And when you ring ye Bells take care,
For he that rings and breaks a Stay,
Must pay Sixpence without delay,
And if you ring in Spurs or Matt,
You must likewise pay Sixpence for that.

Michael Gill Clarke, 1723