One sunny afternoon, before the monsoon season, we went to the burial ground to see how the native cherry we planted on mother’s grave was faring in the drought. Walking through the meadow, we took the footpath to the nearby church of St Nicholas.
Interesting chapel which houses the tomb of the Knollys family. You can see the effigies of Sir Francis Knollys and his wife, Catherine, lady in waiting to Elizabeth I, and niece of Anne Boleyn.
You may remember a previous post about Greys Court, and the connection with the Knollys family.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Super set of snaps, Ara. Well done. There’s quite a lot of arches isn’t there?
Great Photos! Thanks.
Did you know those clever Old Greeks didn’t know about arches?
Thank you, JW. Yes arches are a feature aren’t they, and very pleasing.
Thank you, too, Boadicea. It’s always a bonus that some of them are worth showing. Lovely places, churches, but rather dark, so they can be a bit of a challenge photographically speaking. This one is not a wonderful example,it had a makeover a couple of hundred years ago, so it’s a bit modern.
I didn’t know, Janus, but now you come to mention it, I probably should have noticed the lack thereof!
Araminta – I’m probably going to get into trouble here! But I reckon the second best thing that Christianity has done for the world is that it commissioned / inspired beautiful buildings and works of art. I know that the money for all those things came from the pockets of the poor – and Christ said to sell all and give to the poor. But, somehow I’m rather pleased that we (atheists, agnostics and whatever!) have been left with these beautiful monuments – rather than a list of how many bowls of soup were served up at the local village market place between 1200 and 1530. 🙂
So, Janus, who invented arches?
Not with me, you’re not, Boadicea.
I couldn’t agree more, I just love churches, and they are interesting from a historical point of view. I think they have a wonderful atmosphere. I do occasionally go to church services, and I always enjoy the music and the feeling of being part of a congregation. It has a feeling of continuity somehow, even if one isn’t a firm believer.
Bud Flanagan 🙂
🙂
Bearsy!
The arch was first systematically used by the Romans, though some structures with arches still stand it Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico that pre-date their widespread Roman use.
What I miss most about life in the Old World are the churches. It’s not so much the people involved in it
as it is the building itself, the quiet place they provide for reflection. When there I will go to church services on occasion, it’s the tradition that counts. In the US I refuse to. Religion here is too empty, too hypocritical.
Wonderful pictures, Araminta!
Thank you, Christopher.
I agree with you completely about the tradition. I have never once gone into a church in the US, and I’m now wondering why. It didn’t even cross my mind, but I’ve always visited churches in Europe. I must confess, that I dislike most modern churches.
Araminta: some church buildings in the US aren’t too bad. The old Spanish Mission churches in California are beautiful as are the English and French colonial structures the South and East.Most newer churches; however, have a somewhat unsettling feeling. Many have all the comforts and virtues of an auction held at Tesco.
Christopher.
Now you have made me think!
Ah, well, I have visited a few Spanish mission churches in Southern California, but for some strange reason, didn’t associate them with religion. They were just interesting buildings, but that’s probably my fault; religion was the last thing that crossed my mind in the US.
I’ve only visited most places in the US on business, as a tourist, or staying with relatives, who weren’t in the slightest bit interested in taking me to see old buildings. I suspect because they were frequent visitors to Europe, and didn’t feel that their old buildings qualified as interesting, or old enough, possibly.
Yes! However, adding to Christopher’s comment on the widespread use of arches by the Romans, it is generally thought they were first used by the Phoenicians – forebears of Hannibal and Gaddafi.
PS the characteristic shape of Greek temples was due to their simple pillar-and-lintel construction which in the case of the Parthenon necessitated scores of pillars throughout the interior.