St Nicholas, Castle Hedingham, Essex

At the weekend a small party of Ragged Ramblers visited Castle Hedingham. For one of us this had a special meaning as it was the village where they spent part of their childhood. Here are some photographs we took on the day. 

What a sight! This is a fascinating church in a wonderful setting. Much of the fabric of this church dates from the early 12th century. That 'wheel window' is certainly eye-catching! 

Phantasmagorical figure above the porch entrance.

We noted this curious creature forged in metal on the south door. Is it meant to be a boar - one of the symbols of the early patrons of this church, the de Vere family? According to some this door was once covered by the flayed skin of an executed criminal, but we remain sceptical about this.  

A Norman cushion-stoup which, curiously, features the carving of a cat that is upside down. This made us speculate as to whether this was re-used. 

This crudely carved figure is set into the south wall of the Lady Chapel and looks, stylistically, to be Norman. 

Nice view of the Norman apse, illuminated by the wheel-window, above. 

The heavily restored 15th century rood screen features a fantastic array of carved faces and creatures. 

Beautiful late Norman capitals.

Lion with lolling tongue, carved under the misericords (literal translation = 'mercy seat')

Fragment of a wall painting.

An accomplished 15th century hand inscribed this graffito into the surround of stairwell door in the west tower.

These appear to be masons' marks carved into the quoins of the buttresses.