Fiona Chartres
@chartresfi.bsky.social
Former picture framer who loves churches, art, history and cheese...
The large and very striking porch at St Andrew's, Barnwell has bowed slightly and become almost horseshoe shaped over the years, it shelters a handsome 13thC doorway with similar decoration.
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
February 5, 2026 at 2:04 PM
The large and very striking porch at St Andrew's, Barnwell has bowed slightly and become almost horseshoe shaped over the years, it shelters a handsome 13thC doorway with similar decoration.
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
We are currently led by the needs of our new rescue dog Toby, he likes to be cosy after 2 1/2 years in kennels so the heating is on..
February 4, 2026 at 8:47 PM
We are currently led by the needs of our new rescue dog Toby, he likes to be cosy after 2 1/2 years in kennels so the heating is on..
St Peter's, Raunds is known for its fabulous 15thC wall paintings which include the remnants of what must have been an enormous rood.
Six angels remain surrounding where the crucifixion would have been sited, it's still incredibly impressive.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
Six angels remain surrounding where the crucifixion would have been sited, it's still incredibly impressive.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
February 4, 2026 at 9:13 AM
St Peter's, Raunds is known for its fabulous 15thC wall paintings which include the remnants of what must have been an enormous rood.
Six angels remain surrounding where the crucifixion would have been sited, it's still incredibly impressive.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
Six angels remain surrounding where the crucifixion would have been sited, it's still incredibly impressive.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
It's lovely and light but It's not quite as interesting as you expect it to be, rather barn like.
February 4, 2026 at 8:48 AM
It's lovely and light but It's not quite as interesting as you expect it to be, rather barn like.
The 15thC window in the south transept at St Peter and St Paul, Langham is certainly a 'showstopper'. Flooding the church with light and colour.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday
February 3, 2026 at 9:04 AM
The 15thC window in the south transept at St Peter and St Paul, Langham is certainly a 'showstopper'. Flooding the church with light and colour.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday
A stunning depiction of the trinity on the monument to Edmund Tame d1534 and his two wives at St Mary's, Fairford.
Sir Edmund actually has two brasses and this is part of the smaller one set into the wall of the chapel.
#MonumentsMonday
Sir Edmund actually has two brasses and this is part of the smaller one set into the wall of the chapel.
#MonumentsMonday
February 2, 2026 at 9:03 AM
A stunning depiction of the trinity on the monument to Edmund Tame d1534 and his two wives at St Mary's, Fairford.
Sir Edmund actually has two brasses and this is part of the smaller one set into the wall of the chapel.
#MonumentsMonday
Sir Edmund actually has two brasses and this is part of the smaller one set into the wall of the chapel.
#MonumentsMonday
Happy in the sun and grumpy in the shade at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton.
#SundayStonework
#SundayStonework
February 1, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Happy in the sun and grumpy in the shade at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton.
#SundayStonework
#SundayStonework
Someone obviously completely misread the job description as a column swallower and has decided to start nibbling on the capital instead at St Mary's, Leckhampstead.
#Caturday (I'm saying feline rather than demon)
#Caturday (I'm saying feline rather than demon)
January 31, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Someone obviously completely misread the job description as a column swallower and has decided to start nibbling on the capital instead at St Mary's, Leckhampstead.
#Caturday (I'm saying feline rather than demon)
#Caturday (I'm saying feline rather than demon)
Last week I posted the south door at St Swithin's, Quenington and today I present the 12thC north door.
The tympanum shows the harrowing of hell, Christ spears Satan whilst the serpent spews forth three sinners.
No beakheads this side but don't worry, it's still fabulous.
#AdoorableThursday
The tympanum shows the harrowing of hell, Christ spears Satan whilst the serpent spews forth three sinners.
No beakheads this side but don't worry, it's still fabulous.
#AdoorableThursday
January 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Last week I posted the south door at St Swithin's, Quenington and today I present the 12thC north door.
The tympanum shows the harrowing of hell, Christ spears Satan whilst the serpent spews forth three sinners.
No beakheads this side but don't worry, it's still fabulous.
#AdoorableThursday
The tympanum shows the harrowing of hell, Christ spears Satan whilst the serpent spews forth three sinners.
No beakheads this side but don't worry, it's still fabulous.
#AdoorableThursday
Striking and stylish art deco window grilles on Hotel Street, Leicester.
#IronworkThursday
#IronworkThursday
January 29, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Striking and stylish art deco window grilles on Hotel Street, Leicester.
#IronworkThursday
#IronworkThursday
On the other side of the window is the gathering of the Apostles for the funeral of the Virgin, unfortunately the rest of the cycle hasn't survived, maybe a dormition was part of it.
January 28, 2026 at 4:15 PM
On the other side of the window is the gathering of the Apostles for the funeral of the Virgin, unfortunately the rest of the cycle hasn't survived, maybe a dormition was part of it.
The 13thC wall paintings at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton would have been so interesting to see complete.
This shows St John above a scene described as the funeral of the Virgin, I assume they're depicted carrying her bier.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
This shows St John above a scene described as the funeral of the Virgin, I assume they're depicted carrying her bier.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
January 28, 2026 at 9:23 AM
The 13thC wall paintings at St John the Baptist, Cold Overton would have been so interesting to see complete.
This shows St John above a scene described as the funeral of the Virgin, I assume they're depicted carrying her bier.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
This shows St John above a scene described as the funeral of the Virgin, I assume they're depicted carrying her bier.
#WednesdayWallPaintings
Here goes....
The three little red dots are the three chicks... the red line is the pelican from left to right curling her head under to peck at her breast to feed them
The three little red dots are the three chicks... the red line is the pelican from left to right curling her head under to peck at her breast to feed them
January 25, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Here goes....
The three little red dots are the three chicks... the red line is the pelican from left to right curling her head under to peck at her breast to feed them
The three little red dots are the three chicks... the red line is the pelican from left to right curling her head under to peck at her breast to feed them
A rather lovely pelican in her piety at All Saints, Oakham.
I wonder if they're meant to be oak leaves?
#SundayStonework
I wonder if they're meant to be oak leaves?
#SundayStonework
January 25, 2026 at 6:48 PM
A rather lovely pelican in her piety at All Saints, Oakham.
I wonder if they're meant to be oak leaves?
#SundayStonework
I wonder if they're meant to be oak leaves?
#SundayStonework
Shadowy, ghostly remains of Saints and angels on the beautiful faded 15thC screen at St Andrew's, Lyddington.
#ScreenSaturday
#ScreenSaturday
January 24, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Shadowy, ghostly remains of Saints and angels on the beautiful faded 15thC screen at St Andrew's, Lyddington.
#ScreenSaturday
#ScreenSaturday
St Swithin's, Quenington boasts two fabulous 12thC doors. The tympanum above the south door depicts the coronation of the Virgin and is apparently the earliest depiction of it still in situ.
Also a stunning band of beakheads and who doesn't love a beakhead!
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
Also a stunning band of beakheads and who doesn't love a beakhead!
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
January 22, 2026 at 9:29 AM
St Swithin's, Quenington boasts two fabulous 12thC doors. The tympanum above the south door depicts the coronation of the Virgin and is apparently the earliest depiction of it still in situ.
Also a stunning band of beakheads and who doesn't love a beakhead!
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
Also a stunning band of beakheads and who doesn't love a beakhead!
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
Beautifully simple with only the faintest hint of wonkiness.. St Michael and St Martin, Eastleach Martin.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday
January 20, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Beautifully simple with only the faintest hint of wonkiness.. St Michael and St Martin, Eastleach Martin.
#TraceryTuesday
#TraceryTuesday
The 12thC columns of the chancel arch at St Andrew's, Stoke Dry are covered in fantastic carvings of people and animals, most of the meanings lost long ago apart from the occasional obvious image such as the bell ringer.
Another of my favourite Rutland churches
#SundayStonework
Another of my favourite Rutland churches
#SundayStonework
January 18, 2026 at 9:25 AM
The 12thC columns of the chancel arch at St Andrew's, Stoke Dry are covered in fantastic carvings of people and animals, most of the meanings lost long ago apart from the occasional obvious image such as the bell ringer.
Another of my favourite Rutland churches
#SundayStonework
Another of my favourite Rutland churches
#SundayStonework
The square Norman font at St Peter's, Brooke is a sturdy affair. Decorated with a simple, elegant arcade pattern it's topped off with a similarly sturdy font cover, the slightly wonky finial just gives it character!
#FontsOnFriday
#FontsOnFriday
January 16, 2026 at 9:10 AM
The square Norman font at St Peter's, Brooke is a sturdy affair. Decorated with a simple, elegant arcade pattern it's topped off with a similarly sturdy font cover, the slightly wonky finial just gives it character!
#FontsOnFriday
#FontsOnFriday
A rather lovely doorway which now leads into the garden at Lyddington Bede House. This would have been part of the long demolished former palace of the Bishop's of Lincoln, the remaining wing became a house and then almshouses around 1600.
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
January 15, 2026 at 9:34 AM
A rather lovely doorway which now leads into the garden at Lyddington Bede House. This would have been part of the long demolished former palace of the Bishop's of Lincoln, the remaining wing became a house and then almshouses around 1600.
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
#Adoorableday
#AdoorableThursday
A 13thC Adam and Eve hand in hand as they're expelled from paradise at St George's, Kelmscott. I have to say that Eve doesn't look too distressed at the turn of events.. 🍏
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
January 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
A 13thC Adam and Eve hand in hand as they're expelled from paradise at St George's, Kelmscott. I have to say that Eve doesn't look too distressed at the turn of events.. 🍏
#WednesdayWallPaintings
#WednesdayWallPaintings
A panel of restored 14thC glass at St Mary's, Meysey Hampton. Although named St Mathias it's actually a a composite made up from miscellaneous fragments by the restorers. Still lovely though, the face and quill are particularly fine.
#StainedGlassSunday
#StainedGlassSunday
January 11, 2026 at 1:13 PM
A panel of restored 14thC glass at St Mary's, Meysey Hampton. Although named St Mathias it's actually a a composite made up from miscellaneous fragments by the restorers. Still lovely though, the face and quill are particularly fine.
#StainedGlassSunday
#StainedGlassSunday
The capitals at All Saints, Oakham are crowded with such a fantastic variety of people and creatures.
This monkey seems have a weight attached to his collar that he's trying to carry and looks like he's concentrating on that, I'd be keeping an eye on the dragons personally!
#SundayStonework
This monkey seems have a weight attached to his collar that he's trying to carry and looks like he's concentrating on that, I'd be keeping an eye on the dragons personally!
#SundayStonework
January 11, 2026 at 10:26 AM
The capitals at All Saints, Oakham are crowded with such a fantastic variety of people and creatures.
This monkey seems have a weight attached to his collar that he's trying to carry and looks like he's concentrating on that, I'd be keeping an eye on the dragons personally!
#SundayStonework
This monkey seems have a weight attached to his collar that he's trying to carry and looks like he's concentrating on that, I'd be keeping an eye on the dragons personally!
#SundayStonework
Robert Dudley's initials and heraldic symbols of the ragged staff on a very impressive Elizabethan fireplace in the gatehouse at Kenilworth Castle.
Not originally in this building it probably came from the state apartments designed for the Queen in the Castle.
#LesArmoiriesDuVendredi
Not originally in this building it probably came from the state apartments designed for the Queen in the Castle.
#LesArmoiriesDuVendredi
January 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Robert Dudley's initials and heraldic symbols of the ragged staff on a very impressive Elizabethan fireplace in the gatehouse at Kenilworth Castle.
Not originally in this building it probably came from the state apartments designed for the Queen in the Castle.
#LesArmoiriesDuVendredi
Not originally in this building it probably came from the state apartments designed for the Queen in the Castle.
#LesArmoiriesDuVendredi