The major interest for visiting Shorthampton is the remarkable collection of medieval wall paintings which seem to cover the nave of this small country church.
The parish of Shorthampton is officially The Parish of Charlbury with Shorthampton. This joint designation dates back to the 7th century when a minster church was established at Charlbury by St Diuma.
Charlbury's minster parish covered a large area which included Shorthampton. Over the centuries which followed the founding of Charlbury minster, the parish was broken up, but Shorthampton remains part of the Charlbury parish over a millennium after it was founded.
There is little enough of Shorthampton itself; beyond the church, there is a small house or two and a few farm buildings, but that's about it. The location is wonderful, with views out over the wide Evenlode valley towards Chipping Norton.
The church itself was built sometime in the 12th century and may have been only a single cell. To this, a chancel was later added, and the current chancel arch is 14th century. In the 15th century, the church was enlarged, and the south wall moved out by 6 feet to allow for a new nave altar.
To allow parishioners to view the main altar in the chancel a large squint was added to the south of the chancel arch.
Unusually for this area, All Saints does not have a tower; it is a very small church consisting of a nave and chancel, south porch, and bellcote. When you enter via the south door, two things strike you at once; one is the small size of the church, the other is the wonderful collection of wall paintings.
Opposite the south door is a round-headed door, now blocked, which dates to the founding of All Saints in the 12th century.
The Shorthampton Wall Paintings
For a small church Shorthampton may have more medieval wall paintings than any other I have visited. The nave is quite extraordinarily rich in medieval paintings; some are fragmentary, but many others are very clear and well preserved.
- 12th century 'lining out' - that is, a pattern not too dissimilar to modern wallpaper - outlining a 12th century window on the north wall.
- A likeness of St Frideswald, also on the north wall
- a very clear depiction of an archbishop
- a somewhat fragmentary 'Doom', or Day of Judgement painting over the chancel arch
- a painting of the Miracle of the Clay Birds, lining the squint
- a likeness of St Zita, patron of domestic servants
- painting of St Loy, patron of blacksmiths
- a fragmentary depiction of a dragon's wing, on the west wall
- an 18th century cartouche showing King Solomon's prayer
These are just the highlights of what is really an extraordinary collection of medieval art at Shorthampton, especially given the small size and isolation of the church.
Other Heritage Highlights
The font is a very nice Norman tub, though it is unadorned with any carvings.
About Shorthampton
Address: Shorthampton,
Oxfordshire,
England
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location: On a narrow lane off the B4437 just west of Charlbury
Location map
OS: SP328200
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Historic Time Periods:
Find other attractions tagged with:
12th century (Time Period) - 14th century (Time Period) - 15th century (Time Period) - 18th century (Time Period) - 7th century (Time Period) - Medieval (Time Period) - Norman (Architecture) - wall painting (Historical Reference) - wall paintings (Historical Reference) -
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Chadlington, St Nicholas Church - 1.3 miles (Historic Church)
Spelsbury, All Saints Church - 1.7 miles (Historic Church)
Charlbury Museum - 1.8 miles (Museum)
Shipton under Wychwood, St Mary the Virgin - 3.3 miles (Historic Church)
Churchill, All Saints Church - 3.8 miles (Historic Church)
Churchill and Sarsden Heritage Centre - 4.2 miles (Museum)
Stonesfield, St James the Great Church - 4.4 miles (Historic Church)
Enstone, St Kenelm's Church - 4.5 miles (Historic Church)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Shorthampton:
Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
Sleeps: 4
Stay from: £608 - 2260
Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
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