The abacus does sometimes seem to be cut back for some reason. Another example is here at #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire (to south porticus), which is typical of Saxon arches. Rood lofts came into use around C13 and your example may well have been cut back to accommodate it 🐭
A countdown of the best five #ChurchesToVisitSalisburyToTheSea. In at number 3: #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire. A 'church of Saxon origin though not as much Saxon left as you may be led to believe. Don't miss the parvis room with painted Saxon rood, Saxon arch and a history lesson in C15 window design
#TheBestOfSalisburyToTheSea hatchments: The crossing #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #LesArmoiriesDuVendredi
If there is a single church with more hatchments crammed into one small space Mouse would love to know about it
#TheBestOfSalisburyToTheSea for #RomanesqueRiday: #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire
Despite the Romanesque arcades and purported C12 decoration externally to the Priory Church of the #HolyTrinityChristchurch #Dorset the simplicity of these circular greensand and limestone doorways wins
Having opened 24 windows for advent to receive a desultory gift of overpriced choccy (Grinch) Mouse wish you a very Merry Christmas with her favourite window
#TheBestOfSalisburyToTheSea windows #FromInsideOut: #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
"Buon Natale a tutti!"
#TheBestOfSalisburyToTheSea chancel through chancel arch: #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire
Fine wide C15 4-centred arch opens onto a bright spiritual space
The Avon churches Salisbury to Christchurch #StMaryBreamore #StMaryFordingbridge #StMaryEllingham Follow: #SalisburyToTheSeaChurches (2/3)
The question in Mouse's mind as she packed her bags to leave, was how much of #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire is actually Saxon. The answer is too complex for one post but the reality is just the tower and porticus, both of which have been heavily rebuilt. The Nave and chancel are of dubious provenance.
And finally, a curious font, C13 and clumsily carved. Mouse assuming on a Friday afternoon #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire
Advice from Mouse: Building archaeologists, never, ever underestimate the impact of the shortcake biscuit on Saxon carving #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire. Through abacus; arch to south porticus
Comparison of Saxon archways #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire (left) entrance to south porticus, #StLaurenceBradfordOnAvon entrance to chancel. They share the features of jambs (responds) with arris, through abacii and slightly elongated circular arch. Tall and narrow although St. Laurence is more typical
Mouse always do. promise.
A C17 puritan kind of addition to the west elevation of the south porticus #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire
Doorway to porticus #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire. Soffit of arch. The doorway and arch have been extensively repaired although the abacii have been chiselled flush to the north. The arch has a supposed old English inscription 'restored'. For more follow: #SaxonBreamore (7/8)
Saxon doorways are typically tall and narrow with slightly elongated circular arches, through abacii and jambs with an arris.
The arch to the south porticus of #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire is seemingly typical of this type. For more follow: #SaxonBreamore (6/8)
Typically the quoins (worked stone where walls meet at an angle or corner) of a Saxon church involve 'long and short work', long edges of vertical stones and short edges of horizontal ones. There are suggestions of it at #StMaryBreamore but less than convincing. Follow for more: #SaxonBreamore (4/8)
Pilaster strips like that seen left next to the window at #StLaurenceBradfordOnAvon can be seen as structural or decorative features on Saxon churches. There are several masonry features that could be interpreted as such at #StMaryBreamore (right) Follow for more: #SaxonBreamore (3/8)
A Saxon church feature you might look for is a herringbone pattern in the wall construction as seen left at #StPeterManningford a technique that continued post-conquest. Mouse found little evidence of this in the flint rubble walls at #StMaryBreamore (right) Follow for more: #SaxonBreamore (2/8)
The church of #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire is of Saxon origin but how much of the fabric of the original church is preserved? Let's look for some clues. There are no triangular arches (sadly) but what other features might date from the Saxon period: Follow the thread to find out #SaxonBreamore (1/8)
The oldest windows at #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire have a grille. This mix of masonry, ancient blacksmith forged iron and grime has a certain aesthetic appeal
#FromInsideOut #JustPlainGlass #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #ThingsMouseLove
One of the most beautiful windows Mouse ever found
Closer inspection of this window shows that the head was likely made of two single lights as there is a clear split down the middle. The jambs and mullion are much later and carved from limestone #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
For more follow the thread: #BreamoreWindows (8/8)
South of nave east of porch #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
C15 2-light square window with cusped lights and indented spandrels. An interesting window even from a distance in that it has a greensand head and cill (new to Mouse)
For more follow the thread: #BreamoreWindows (7/8)
North of tower #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
C15 square 3-light window with cusped (cinquefoil) lights and label with plain stops. Below can be seen the footings of the north porticus archway, part of the crossing. For more follow the thread: #BreamoreWindows (6/8)
South west of chancel against tower #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
C15 square 2-light window with cusped lights, hollow spandrels and label with worn carved stop. Left of the label and corresponding stop have been cut off to fit against tower. For more follow: #BreamoreWindows (5/8)
North of nave #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
C15 2-light 4-centred pointed window with cusped lights. For more follow: #BreamoreWindows (4/8)
Tower east of porticus #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire #WindowsOnWednesday
C13 2-light window with cusped (trefoil) lights. Mullion replaced as can be seen from the stone colour and condition. With apologies for the unfortunately positioned rainwater goods. For more follow: #BreamoreWindows (3/8)
Tiny C13 pointed single light to south of porticus #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire. Said to have replaced a much larger Saxon window and certainly there is infill and some red tile or brick packing to suggest an earlier aperture. #WindowsOnWednesday. For more follow #BreamoreWindows (2/8)
The windows of #StMaryBreamore #Hampshire are predominantly but not exclusively C15 and seemingly haphazardly inserted. It is a good church to study the various window styles though #WindowsOnWednesday. Follow the thread: #BreamoreWindows (1/8)
