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26b. Oakham (2) The magnificent All Saints Church See also 26a. Rutland - Oakham (1) Town, Great Hall of Castle Sometimes called 'The Cathedral of Rutland'
The tower of five stages & spire, south porch and door, south transept, start of the chancel and above the clerestory windows of the nave. All Saints is the largest church in the smallest county of England and is built mainly in the English Perpendicular style, though the tower is 14th century decorated style. PLEASE leave a donation and/or purchase a copy of the excellent guidebook to help maintain this wonderful historic medieval church - this is well worth a visit and it is a sad fact that I observe few visitors leaving a donation!
The tower & spire, south porch and door, south transept, start of the chancel, upper middle the clerestory windows of the nave, on the right the chancel and ?. All Saints Church is mainly a late 13th century and early 14th century building with considerable restoration by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the mid-19th century.
Details of the upper part of the tower and spire AND a view from the south-east of All Saints through the trees of the graveyard. The 14th century spire is crowned by Cock Peter is an impressible landmark for miles around. The tower and spire were started in the 14th century and completed by stages into the 15th century. The spire is a parapet or needle spire.
Details of the south door dates from ~1200 and the 13th century Early English style porch and is one of the oldest parts of the church.
The array of carved stone heads above the south door.
With the font on the left, looking down the central aisle to the chancel arch, chancel, altar and east window.
The modestly ornately carved late 12th century stone font is Transitional Norman and stands on a base which may be from a 14th century churchyard cross. Dating from ~1180, the font is the oldest object in the church.
Looking across the nave to the north aisle and chancel. The nave has two arcades of four bays forming the division between the nave and the north and south aisles.
Details of the chancel and the east window. The chancel was re-modelled by Scott and the roof is of English oak and the east window was rebuilt in Derbyshire marble and depicts the Ascension.
The beautifully decorated Victorian ceiling of the chancel.
Looking across the nave from the south aisle to the north aisle. The nave aisles were added in the 13th century.
On the north side of the chancel is the Holy Chapel and its fine north-east window (~1450). The five light window depicts The Adoration of the Magi.
On the south side of the chancel is the 15th century Lady Chapel with its south-east window. The chancel is viewed through the wooden screen of the arcades dividing the Chapels from the chancel.
Details of the south-east window in the Lady Chapel - The Virgin with Jesus as a boy flanked by angels.
Looking west down the nave to the tower arch and west window and entrance door. The west window consists of Perpendicular tracery to match the new 15th century windows of the transepts.
To allow more light into the church the clerestory windows (upper right, Perpendicular style) were inserted when the walls of the nave when they were raised ~1400. The inverted V markings in tower wall show where the original roof line of the 14th century nave (deliberately left in place after the mid-19th century restoration work). The restored nave roof dates from shortly before the reformation.
The Romanesque carvings! Figures, foliage and biblical scenes and the odd pagan image!
All of the capitals of the quatrefoil piers of the north and south aisle arcades are beautifully carved. The two pictures above show how you see them when looking upwards. The rest are detailed pictures of examples of the carvings. The capitals of the nave columns were carved in the 14th century. The guide suggests you look out for the Green Man, Reynard the Fox, the Pelican and the Monkey!
Adam and Eve
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The Green Man - a classic pagan symbol
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The goose held by the fox.
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Another green man!
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Reynard the Fox sequence - capital of the 1st pillar of the south aisle (west end) They were photographed in an anti-clockwise sequence of 7-8 photographs, but I'm not sure this is the order of the storyline! They are not easy to follow but the gist of it is as follows: Reynard the Fox has a goose in it jaws, followed by goslings. A man points his distaff at the fox. A fettered monkey appears on the scene with two snake-like creatures intertwined and each biting the others tail.
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The goslings?
The goose
The goose held by the fox
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The man ... ? The original Oakham School
The original building of Oakham School dating from 1584.
On the south wall are several carved inscriptions. (top left) An inscription in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, (the rest reads) SCHOLA LATINA GRAECA HEBRAICA AD 1584 The earthworks of Cutt's Cross
Beyond the old school, in the opposite direction to the church, are the earthworks at Cutt's Close, one corner is near the Odd House Tavern pub. Cutts Cross is a recreational park area and the earthworks are the remains of the outer bailey of the castle and the outlines of the moat and fishponds can be traced. See also 26a. Rutland - Oakham (1) Town, Great Hall of Castle
East Midlands * West Midlands * England docspics photos images pictures © Phil Brown |
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