Medieval History
Blakeney, Norfolk
Blakeney, Norfolk, originally uploaded by Vitrearum.Blakeney church stands high above it's village, which was once a major port on the north Norfolk coast. The church is for the most part a fifteenth century building, with a broad clerestoried nave paid for by the wealthy mercantile class who benefitted from the port trade. The chancel, is a couple of centuries earlier than the rest of the building and is a lovely example of Early English architecture. The east window consists of seven lancets set under a single hoodmould, one step in architectural development before tracery came on the scene. Attached to the north side of the chancel is an interesting and unique feature, a slender bell turret, that rises almost as high as the west tower. Is it a sanctus bellcote? Very probably, but apparently it also doubled up as a lighthouse to guide ships into the harbour and the upper parts of the bell-openings are glazed rather than louvred.
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c5513f63f.jpg)
Internally the church is rather interesting too. There is a fine chancel screen and rood group above. The nave is covered with a glorious fifteenth roof with angel hammerbeams.
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c5517f868.jpg)
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c551cae2b.jpg)
Internally the chancel is vaulted and the east end has an 'English altar' set before an altar screen that divides an eastern sacristy from the sanctuary.
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c5521d00f.jpg)
The quire stalls incorporate medieval benchends and misericords.
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c55261b96.jpg)
![Blakeney, Norfolk](medieval-history/medieval-history-5642c5529abb1.jpg)
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Medieval History