Heidi The History Mouse
@thehistorymouse.bsky.social
A mainly medieval mouse with a passion for history and architecture.
Historia, Caseus, Somnum!
Historia, Caseus, Somnum!
Pinned
Mouse's #RiverAxeTopThree #Somerset. So which of the sixteen churches would Mouse recommend visiting? In at number one: #StJohnAxbridge. Church and town make a fine day out. More Perpy perfection. Crossing and vaulting are wonderful, but add ceilings, roof timbers and monuments
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The sacristy #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
Although Cleeve Abbey was a Cistercian religious house, the sacristy at least was finely decorated. Fragments of good encaustic tiles are still visible, 700 or more years since they were first laid down #CleeveAbbeySacristy #TilesOnTuesday
Although Cleeve Abbey was a Cistercian religious house, the sacristy at least was finely decorated. Fragments of good encaustic tiles are still visible, 700 or more years since they were first laid down #CleeveAbbeySacristy #TilesOnTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The sacristy #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
Although Cleeve Abbey was a Cistercian religious house, the sacristy at least was finely decorated. Fragments of good encaustic tiles are still visible, 700 or more years since they were first laid down #CleeveAbbeySacristy #TilesOnTuesday
Although Cleeve Abbey was a Cistercian religious house, the sacristy at least was finely decorated. Fragments of good encaustic tiles are still visible, 700 or more years since they were first laid down #CleeveAbbeySacristy #TilesOnTuesday
The sacristy #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
The sacristy was originally accessed from the south end of the south transept. A sacristy is used to store and care for eucharistic items, vestments and texts. In a church the sacrestan is responsible for these items #CleeveAbbeySacristy
The sacristy was originally accessed from the south end of the south transept. A sacristy is used to store and care for eucharistic items, vestments and texts. In a church the sacrestan is responsible for these items #CleeveAbbeySacristy
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The sacristy #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
The sacristy was originally accessed from the south end of the south transept. A sacristy is used to store and care for eucharistic items, vestments and texts. In a church the sacrestan is responsible for these items #CleeveAbbeySacristy
The sacristy was originally accessed from the south end of the south transept. A sacristy is used to store and care for eucharistic items, vestments and texts. In a church the sacrestan is responsible for these items #CleeveAbbeySacristy
Some for #TinyWindowTuesday. Barred, shuttered and unglazed, not just Mouse's accountants but the way medieval windows often were when glass was at a premium #CleeveAbbey #CorrodiansRoomsCleeveAbbey #Somerset
(Corrodian: elderly layperson paying for board and lodgings)
(Corrodian: elderly layperson paying for board and lodgings)
November 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Some for #TinyWindowTuesday. Barred, shuttered and unglazed, not just Mouse's accountants but the way medieval windows often were when glass was at a premium #CleeveAbbey #CorrodiansRoomsCleeveAbbey #Somerset
(Corrodian: elderly layperson paying for board and lodgings)
(Corrodian: elderly layperson paying for board and lodgings)
Medieval tiles mortared into the window seats of the #DormitoryCleeveAbbey. These are not in situ (although some may have been) but added later for decoration #TilesOnTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Medieval tiles mortared into the window seats of the #DormitoryCleeveAbbey. These are not in situ (although some may have been) but added later for decoration #TilesOnTuesday
From outside in. From inside out. The remains of typical late Perpendicular (formerly) 4-light pseudo-4-centred windows #CleeveAbbey. The tracery bars are very thick and almost look like ornate plate tracery #WestCloisterAlleyCleeveAbbey #TraceryTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
From outside in. From inside out. The remains of typical late Perpendicular (formerly) 4-light pseudo-4-centred windows #CleeveAbbey. The tracery bars are very thick and almost look like ornate plate tracery #WestCloisterAlleyCleeveAbbey #TraceryTuesday
Across the garth, the western cloister alley of #CleeveAbbey. The only part of the cloister still partially intact. Probably one of the last C16 additions, built under Abbot Lovell less than 25 years before the abbey was surrendered to the King's men #WestCloisterAlleyCleeveAbbey
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Across the garth, the western cloister alley of #CleeveAbbey. The only part of the cloister still partially intact. Probably one of the last C16 additions, built under Abbot Lovell less than 25 years before the abbey was surrendered to the King's men #WestCloisterAlleyCleeveAbbey
The fabulous medieval encaustic tiles of the first #CleeveAbbey refectory. Some all too familiar heraldry appears here, notable patrons of the religious house #TilesOnTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The fabulous medieval encaustic tiles of the first #CleeveAbbey refectory. Some all too familiar heraldry appears here, notable patrons of the religious house #TilesOnTuesday
In some ways the treasure of #CleeveAbbey, the tiles of the old refectory (before the new one was built on top of the south range). The floor was buried until late C19 when the cloister ranges ceased to be used by the farm and were converted to attract visitors #TilesOnTuesday
November 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
In some ways the treasure of #CleeveAbbey, the tiles of the old refectory (before the new one was built on top of the south range). The floor was buried until late C19 when the cloister ranges ceased to be used by the farm and were converted to attract visitors #TilesOnTuesday
A rood in a large canopied niche on the gable end of the gatehouse. Vacant niches either side would have once (more likely than not) contained effigies of the other two members of the rood group. Dovell is inscribed on a plaque below. The last Abbot. #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM
A rood in a large canopied niche on the gable end of the gatehouse. Vacant niches either side would have once (more likely than not) contained effigies of the other two members of the rood group. Dovell is inscribed on a plaque below. The last Abbot. #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
The vast space of the dormitory. This was first built C13 as indicated by the windows to the west that are single pointed lights. These would have been unglazed and this place would have been freezing in winter #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The vast space of the dormitory. This was first built C13 as indicated by the windows to the west that are single pointed lights. These would have been unglazed and this place would have been freezing in winter #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
The refectory (or fratery). A late C15 addition to the monastery and very grand surroundings perhaps for Cistercians. The door to the right leads onto domestic farmhouse rooms that were added after the Dissolution. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The refectory (or fratery). A late C15 addition to the monastery and very grand surroundings perhaps for Cistercians. The door to the right leads onto domestic farmhouse rooms that were added after the Dissolution. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
Across the cloister: dormitory (above) and (below) from left to right, entrance to library, chapter house, day stairs to dormitory and entrance to warming room. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Across the cloister: dormitory (above) and (below) from left to right, entrance to library, chapter house, day stairs to dormitory and entrance to warming room. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
The refectory (above) and domestic rooms (below) from the cloister (although the actual cloisters themselves are long gone). At it's height the Abbey only had around 28 monks in residence and so this is a big building for such a small order. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The refectory (above) and domestic rooms (below) from the cloister (although the actual cloisters themselves are long gone). At it's height the Abbey only had around 28 monks in residence and so this is a big building for such a small order. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
These wonderful buildings survive because they became part of a farm and you simply don't knock down structures this well constructed. Even so it's amazing that so much of the medieval architecture (like the windows) are preserved. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
These wonderful buildings survive because they became part of a farm and you simply don't knock down structures this well constructed. Even so it's amazing that so much of the medieval architecture (like the windows) are preserved. A #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey
Take Mouse's paw. She going to take you on a (albeit rainy) #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey. The gatehouse from inside the Abbey precincts. Built C13 and much altered right up until C16. The 4-light window provides dating evidence for the last of these changes
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Take Mouse's paw. She going to take you on a (albeit rainy) #WanderAroundCleeveAbbey. The gatehouse from inside the Abbey precincts. Built C13 and much altered right up until C16. The 4-light window provides dating evidence for the last of these changes
So often we are left to imagine what the domestic buildings of an abbey looked like, but here at #CleeveAbbey in #Somerset we have a complete record from C13 until the Dissolution. It's a beautiful place and we're going to explore some of its fascinating nooks and crannies
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
So often we are left to imagine what the domestic buildings of an abbey looked like, but here at #CleeveAbbey in #Somerset we have a complete record from C13 until the Dissolution. It's a beautiful place and we're going to explore some of its fascinating nooks and crannies
Welcome to Cleeve Abbey. Mouse love an abbey church but how often do you see one now a parish church where all of the monastic buildings have been destroyed? Here it's the church that was dismantled. An early experiment in Dissolution of the monasteries #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
November 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Welcome to Cleeve Abbey. Mouse love an abbey church but how often do you see one now a parish church where all of the monastic buildings have been destroyed? Here it's the church that was dismantled. An early experiment in Dissolution of the monasteries #CleeveAbbey #Somerset
Saturday usually means a porch for Mouse, but this is way more than a mere porch, this is a full on gatehouse. And boy are we going to PIFAP. Mouse can barely wait....
November 22, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Saturday usually means a porch for Mouse, but this is way more than a mere porch, this is a full on gatehouse. And boy are we going to PIFAP. Mouse can barely wait....
Stillness....
There was only one possible candidate for #MouseFavouritePhoto from #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
There was only one possible candidate for #MouseFavouritePhoto from #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
All the right words, not necessarily with the right photo....
Sanctuary...
#StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
Sanctuary...
#StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Stillness....
There was only one possible candidate for #MouseFavouritePhoto from #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
There was only one possible candidate for #MouseFavouritePhoto from #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
And as #FontsMeanFarewell what of the church of #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset? First impressions can be wrong. This is a church that grew on Mouse and became more fascinating the more she looked. A solid 4/5 #MusVisit🐭🐭🐭🐭
November 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
And as #FontsMeanFarewell what of the church of #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset? First impressions can be wrong. This is a church that grew on Mouse and became more fascinating the more she looked. A solid 4/5 #MusVisit🐭🐭🐭🐭
A late entry for the file marked #SurprisedChurches. Perhaps this church is surprised that Mouse is leaving it so soon. Is that a great big tear in her eye? (Panic not, pronouns checked) #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
November 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A late entry for the file marked #SurprisedChurches. Perhaps this church is surprised that Mouse is leaving it so soon. Is that a great big tear in her eye? (Panic not, pronouns checked) #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset
As sure as #FontsMeanFarewell Mouse move on. This is a little bit of a side mission on the #ScamperDownTheSomersetCoast but we are in for a treat
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
As sure as #FontsMeanFarewell Mouse move on. This is a little bit of a side mission on the #ScamperDownTheSomersetCoast but we are in for a treat
Fabulous font cover. Octagonal base rests on the font sides. Beautiful #Ogee ribs, bridged by intricately carved curved panels, rise to a finial #FontsOnFriday #StAndrewOldCleve #Somerset
November 21, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Fabulous font cover. Octagonal base rests on the font sides. Beautiful #Ogee ribs, bridged by intricately carved curved panels, rise to a finial #FontsOnFriday #StAndrewOldCleve #Somerset
'Goblet' style C15 font. Beautifully decorated on each of its eight faces. Surrounded by original high medieval tiles. It doesn't get much better than this #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset for #FontsOnFriday
November 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
'Goblet' style C15 font. Beautifully decorated on each of its eight faces. Surrounded by original high medieval tiles. It doesn't get much better than this #StAndrewOldCleeve #Somerset for #FontsOnFriday