Despite a wet
start to the day (22nd October) the sun gave little glances our way
as we started arrived at Eardisley on the motoring trail known as the Black and
White Village Trail (because of its many timber-framed houses).
Eardisley is
a village and civil parish in Herefordshire about 4½miles (7 km) south of
Kington. Eardisley is in the Wye valley
in the northwest of the county, close to the border with Wales.
The village has
many timber-framed buildings along its high street. Recent dendrochronology
dating work on timbers in these buildings has revealed that some parts date
back to the 14th century.
The Church
of England parish church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and is a
12th-century building.
The church is noted
for its font, carved in about 1150. It is a Norman work of the Herefordshire
School and bears some resemblance to the carvings at Kilpeck in south
Herefordshire. It combines intricate Celtic knotwork patterns with dramatic
scenes, including the Harrowing of Hell and two knights fighting. Harrowing, in this context, means harrying or
raiding and refers to the story Christ’s descent into Hell to rescue all the
righteous.
I am always fascinated by old doors and locks and bolts.
It's always worth looking at the memorials for some impressive old dates.
Not far from
Eardisley is the Herefordshire Oak or, as it is known locally, the Great Oak or
Eardisley Oak. A massive Pedunculate Oak it is said to be 600 to 800 years old.
Its girth at
one metre off the ground is 9m 17cm (30ft 1in). Next to it was a Walnut tree - one of my
favourite species.
The Oak is
so noteworthy it has its own brown tourist direction sign.
Oaks are some of my favorites -- we have some that are very old here, but not quite that big. One that's not too far is large enough that some of the branches drape the ground.
ReplyDeleteSuch old churches give me quite a thrill when i get to visit them.
Lovely captures. Love the oak, and the church with the graveyard.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
What a lovely way to wake up this morning...thank you for taking us along on the trip! Love the engraved wardens' names on the lock! *wink* ... And that door with the hinges that look like trees - imagine a house with that as your front door!
ReplyDeleteWe drove the Black and White Trail one year when we were in England and I remember Eardisley well, thanks for all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe font is a real gem. The oak is a giant. I'm surprised the highways authority haven't thought to plaster it in road signs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, John. You know how I love churches -- and the older the better. These photos and the oak are lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent photos and post - I am officially cheered up. This kind of thing knocks me right out. A building from the 17th century, an oak tree 600 years old. And the font in the church from 1150 might have been carved before the Bible was assembled.
ReplyDeleteI like the doors as well. If I were there, I think I'd put my hand on the door and try to imagine all the people who've passed though it over the years. Amazing!
Keep up the good work, Scriptor!
What a magnificent oak tree that is!! Post card coming your way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for once again taking us along on a great trip with lots of beautiful and interesting things to see! The oak is truly impressive. That I love the doors in your pictures is no surprise to you, of course! And there is even a gate with your name on it!
ReplyDeleteThe whole place looks very well cared for.
I enjoyed this post immensely....thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteAn 800 year old oak tree is nothing to scoff at....it definitely deserves respect.
Loved the black and white timber houses, and the old locks and the church font...everything.
Aaah, more wonderful photos. Just the kind of things I like to stop and look at to :) I love timber-framed houses... and old churches... and doors... and trees... :)
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to envision all the folk who have passed through the doors of these wonderful old churches. The thing that most impressed me at Canterbury Cathedral was being told that the hollows in the steps had been worn by the feet and knees of the pilgrims to Becket's tomb. That, and the surcoat of Edward, the Black Prince which hangs above his tomb, more than seven hundred years later. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat is just what I imagine a village in England to look like! So much beauty, history and it's old enough to make me feel young! Thanks for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. Every area has it's own flavour and beauty. An amazing Oak tree.
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