Misty Daze at Binham Priory

Attendees: Esotericus, Maximillion, Aunty Gary

I absolutely love my visits to Binham church and priory ruins. It's not only the wonderful setting of the claustral range ruins, or even the spectacular Early English west front - it's also that every visit feels so unique, making me look again. For instance, as My Reader will recall, earlier this year we Ragged Ramblers had a very interesting encounter with some agitated bees (click HERE for a reminder - and click on blog title to return to the main page).

It was a dank, misty winter day. Having set off the alarm at Hindringham church we were ready for the tranquility offered by Binham. Once again we marvelled at the quality of the thirteenth century carving on the west front (and the vision it expressed!)...

Truly revolutionary when new; quite possibly the earliest example
of this style of architecture in England

Come, tarry not, let me show you some the views of the site we enjoyed (and remember, if you click on any of these photos they will enlarge) ...

The nave of the priory, saved from demolition at the Reformation.
Having hitherto being 'shared' between the parish (as their church)
and the monastery (as their nave), after the 1530s it reverted to
use as Binham's parish church. 

If you look carefully, you will see
a faint rainbow smiling through
the misty sky

Hazy low winter sun

The ruins appear almost like
prehistoric standing stones

Finally, there comes a point during any visit when we antiquarians begin to roam and really explore an historic site. We may be found, striking unusual poses; delving into cobwebby corners; discussing perplexing anomolies - even, sometimes, sobbing gently, moved by the sheer beauty of things (Maximillion!)...

~ Esotericus ~