ANGLO-SAXON CHURCHES

British and Anglo-Saxon architecture in England between the end of the Roman period and 1066, with particular reference to church fabric, both extant and from excavation.

In celebration of the diverse and amazing skill of the builders in Saxon days, and importantly in recognition of their work, and remembering the people of those times who lived and worked and built the buildings we see today.

This site explores the methods of building, the materials used (and re-used), and changing styles of building. Early and mid-Saxon work has many facets, and certainly the last 80 years or so before the conquest is almost a study in itself, and in that particularly difficult as the prime Saxon buildings in the kingdom, the Cathedrals and Minsters, Monasteries and greater churches have been much rebuilt, or perished with the Dissolution.

Here are your links to all the pages -
click here for main menu (including photo pages of individual selected churches).
A general introduction to church fabric with individual churches discussed (the church you are interested in may be mentioned here).
Over 400 Saxon churches listed! - an invaluable listing (updated/expanded Aug 2010), a downloadable table, unique to this site, giving information of the known churches in England exhibiting Saxon features and fabric and with details of those features, a comprehensive listing noted by place name, county, and grid reference; wholly based on H.Taylor's three sterling volumes, "Anglo-Saxon Architecture".
go to founding dates of the larger churches
Searching for a particular church? See if its pictured here.

I have often thought how "scattered" information is on the net when trying to locate information on church buildings relating to the Saxon period, and how nice it would be if it could be found in one site. I don't pretend that you will find everything you wish to know here, but as I add to this site I hope that it may be useful and answer at least some of the questions you may have in mind. If you have a specific query and can't find the answer then simply email me and I'll get back to you.
Scroll down for more information.

A comment from a researcher. "What a wonderful resource base you have created."

I gladly acknowledge, and will frequently refer to, the indispensible and prime work "Anglo-Saxon Architecture", published in 3 volumes (1965 & 1978), by H.M.Taylor and Joan Taylor. I also draw your attention to Thomas Rickman, born at Maidenhead 8th June 1776 into a Quaker family, became an architect and through his careful study of churches and their periods of building he conceived labelling the main periods - Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular. It was Rickman who first recognised the Anglo-Saxon work in the tower at St.Peters, Barton-upon-Humber, and importantly deduced why it must be Saxon. Also Professor Banister Fletcher, the author of that sterling 19th century work "A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method".

Do please bookmark this page and return at regular intervals to watch progress. I intend this site to be a useful source of reference to the subject and where all elements of known Anglo-Saxon work found in churches, minsters and the major cathedrals & Abbeys in England may be easily accessed via database tables.

New pages under construction will explore essential features in detail - painted decoration, roods, carved capitals, and other work such as standing stones and coffin lids, windows, doorways and other salient features of fabric such as towers and quoin types (new). Latest to be added in June/July this year include photo pages on the Saxon Monastery at Jarrow, the ruined Saxon Minster at Elmham, Escomb, and Ickleton church. Also new is a picture file on Wilfred's crypts at Hexham & Ripon. For a full index of photo pages click here
A specific page explores the arguments for the Anglo-Saxon Abbey Church of Sherborne.

Frank Parsons

I may be contacted at the following email address -

frank.church800@yahoo.co.uk

Other information.
Go to BBC News to read about the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold discovered beneath a field in Staffordshire (in 2009). In the region of 1,500 gold and silver pieces, possibly dating to the 7th century.
Go to BBC York & North Yorkshire to read about the recent discovery of a Saxon church, at Scrayingham, near Stamford Bridge, York

Website designed and constructed by F.J.Parsons

Site last updated 25th. August, 2010 (includes new pages/pictures). Site first created in August 2008.

background photograph - Saxon tower at Earls Barton church.