St Michael & All Angels
Aylsham, Norfolk
In 1372, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster became the owner of the Manor of Aylsham.
All Saints dates from the late 13th century and has many architectural glories, including: a 15th century rood screen; hammer beam roof with carved angels; seven sacrament font (1467); two small fragments of medieval glass in the tracery of a window depicting an elephant (thought to be the only one in medieval glass in East Anglia) and a unicorn.
Marsham, Norfolk
All Saints has a distinctive square tower housing a peal of 8 bells and was built over seven hundred years ago. In architectural terms it belongs to the Perpendicular period.
Its architectural glories are: the 15th century rood screen with paintings of the apostles, a bishop and St Faith, its finely carved Seven Sacrament Font and its 'hammerbeam' timbered roof with carved angels. The royal arms of James I are on the organ loft.
The 'seven sacraments' font is one of only 29 in England, of which 16 are in Norfolk. It is dated at about 1467. The rood screen is thought to be around 1507. The faces of the saints painted on the panels were defaced during the reformation. Village tales say this was because of a zealous teacher who lined up all the naughty boys in front of it and ordered them to lick the paint off as a punishment.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the south aisle is its pronounced lean. This was caused by a fierce gale in 1703-04. Despite stringent remedial work at the time, the south aisle continues to lean at an interesting angle.
A wealth of medieval glass was removed from the church in 1824 by the vicar, but two small fragments of medieval glass remain. In the tracery of one window are an elephant and a unicorn. Recently restored are the two figures in a south aisle window, King David and Judas Maccabeus. This was done with the assistance of the Mercers’ Company whose crest was added in the window.
Aylsham, Norfolk
In 1372, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster became the owner of the Manor of Aylsham.
Blickling, Norfolk
St Andrew's is a vibrant and much visited rural church situated next to the National Trust property Blickling Hall.
Cawston, Norfolk
Cawston's enormous cruciform church has treasures that are well worth travelling for.