Skulls, Demons and Incompetent Masons

Haven't had time to blog much at all lately, but now I have and here's some interesting stuff I spotted in St James' Priory in Horsefair, Bristol on Doors Open Day early last month.

Detail of a memorial to the Gibbes family, 1630s.  Love the skull with bat wings and an egg timer on its head. 

The priory was founded in 1120. This high window is the oldest 'ocula' ('eye') in the country.  

















Another winged skull on this magnificent tomb.  

This is a memorial to various members of the Dighton family, spanning 85 years. Looks like the stone mason made a bit of a cock-up at one point. A palimpsest of Death ... 










... and a wholly demonic cherub.


















The 14th century Church of St James, which was bombed in the devastating raid on Bristol City Centre on 24th November, 1940, has been further ruined by post-war city planners.  















Even the incumbents can't bear to look.