In East Anglia on 29 July 2019, and the bus took us on through Wells – an interesting piece of driving. Then we changed onto the Coasthopper and continued east. The bus stops outside St Nicholas church, Blakeney – TG 033434, https://www.blakeneychurch.co.uk/ – and it is quite some church. A welcoming noticeboard and a lovely guide.
The first evidence of a church here is in Domesday, but no evidence of this building has been found. The oldest part of the current building is C13, Early English style – wonderful stone vaulting in the Chancel dates to 1240. If I was the Vicar I’m sure the Chancel would be big enough for most of the services! The Nave itself was built in 1435 in the Perpendicular style. The hammer beam roof is made of oak and chestnut – I really need to get a tripod so I can photo angels properly.
The unusual seven lancet window in the east end is based on the Te Deum depicting Mary and the child surrounded by saints and angels. The Chancel is the oldest part of the church and dates from the C13. There are four medieval misericords.
The woodwork in the Nave is newer, but the carvings are great fun.
There are some interesting pieces of graffiti – you can imagine a shipowner or captain doing it as a votive offering. This must have been a stunning church in a prosperous town – you can imagine the thanksgiving when a ship came into port, and the tears when it didn’t. There are memories of the lifeboats as well. Hettie was in service between 1873 and 1891.
The font is C15, with the mutilated faces of the gospel writers.
There is one window of medieval stained glass, glass saved at the Reformation.
On the south side there are lots of early C20 windows. St Etheldreda and Ely Cathedral, Oswald and Heavenfield, Thomas Becket and Henry II.
In the porch there are two nice modern windows by Jane Gray. One commemorates the Few, the other a Millennium window for the village.
Under the tower is the Church Office (with church administrator coping with a baptism family), and you can climb the tower for a donation. We donated, and climbed. Stunning views from the top. Enjoy!
The churchyard was worth having a wander round as well.
