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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 5h

The theme for todays #31DaysofGraves is Language. This simple but beautifully carved grave is found at St Luke's, Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire, the Grand Union Canal runs alongside the churchyard. Ignotus Exaquis translates as 'unknown from the water'.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 9h

This door in the gatehouse of the West Court building of The Old Schools building on Trinity Lane, Cambridge apparently dates to the 15thC, the carving in the spandrels of the wicket door is very good indeed. #Adoorableday #AdoorableThursday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

The incredibly eccentric Bardwell monument at St Edmund's, Southwold is the resting place of local architect William Bardwell d1853 and other members of his family. Built from brick it's clad in various tiles and odd pieces of mouldings, a real hotch potch of all sorts! #31DaysofGraves

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

A very happy little 15thC wyvern arm rest at St Andrew's, Chesterton, Cambridge. #Woodensday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Plodding chained heraldic bears by Godwins at Tewkesbury Abbey. #TilesOnTuesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

A rather ordinary but very cheery cherub at St Wilfrid's, Screveton, Nottinghamshire for #31DaysofGraves

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

The annual carrot chomping competition was well underway when we arrived at St Andrew's, Chesterton, Cambridge. #MementoMoriMonday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Opinions vary as to whether these corbels at Tewkesbury Abbey depict either Adam and Eve or the founders of the Abbey Robert Fitzhamon and his wife. Whichever is correct, I particularly like the positioning of their arms and hands, it looks so natural. #SundayStonework

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The sun is shining this morning and this happy heron can't quite contain itself at King's College Chapel, Cambridge. #StainedGlassSunday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

St Peter's Cambridge was probably originally built the late 11th/early 12thC with the tower added in the 14thC. Drastically rebuilt on a much smaller scale in 1781 reusing the door and retaining the tower it now sits in a beautiful, peaceful churchyard. #SteepleSaturday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I don't think so, there's plenty of examples of 18thC over exuberant carving on slate gravestones in Leicestershire.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

When you start carving a headstone but have a serious attack of the curlicues.. Todays theme for #31DaysofGraves is Lettering and I'm sure there's a letter in there somewhere.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

It would probably have had the family motto painted on it as they are supporting the family coat of arms which would be have also been painted as would the whole thing.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The theme for todays #31DaysofGraves is Animal and I humbly present to you.... a Baboon.... no really it is.. Found supporting a coat of arms on the Babington monument of c1538 at St Winifred's, Kingston on Soar, Nottinghamshire it's a play on the family name 'Baboon'gton.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

St Peter's, Cambridge is a 14thC church rebuilt in 1781 with re-set earlier features such as this handsome 13thC doorway. Set in an almost garden like churchyard and now owned by the CCT it's a lovely spot. #Adoorableday #AdoorableThursday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Unlike this chap let's hope none of us wake up in our home tonight to find a grinning skeleton offering you the world in return for your soul! Today's #31DaysofGraves can be found at St Margaret's, Leicester.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Such a beautiful mix of textures. A little bit of everything to be seen looking at the rear wall of Trinity College, Trinity Lane, Cambridge. #WallsonWednesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Beautiful fan vaulting over the South Door at Tewkesbury Abbey. It's a reconstruction dating from the late 19thC on the site of what would have been the cloisters and uses the fan vaulting at Gloucester Cathedral as a template. #TraceryTuesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I'd be hopping mad too if someone put a glazing bar across my face.. #OwlishMonday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

By the look on his face this green man at Tewkesbury Abbey definitely didn't read the full job description. #SundayStonework

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Medieval fragments gathered together in the window at St Michael's, Cambridge including a rather nice Trinity shield. It was the chapel of Michaelhouse College until dissolved by Henry VIII, its lands went to fund Trinity College. Now in part a cafe with excellent breakfasts! #StainedGlassSunday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today's theme for #31DaysofGraves is Glass. This vibrant composition by Harry Harvey is in St Margaret's, Leicester. It was installed in 1966 and is dedicated to Ernest Morris who was the verger and tower master and shows the bell ringers along with images depicting his other interests.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This wooden font case and cover were added to St Botolph's, Cambridge in 1637 and completely conceal the 14thC font. It's a rather handsome construction. #FontsOnFriday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tasselled curved hinges at King's College Chapel, Cambridge. #IronworkThursday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A short sighted demon wearing pince-nez in the 15thC doom at St Andrew's, Chesterton, Cambridge. #WednesdayWallPaintings

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Such a happy, tubby little winged fish man.... A very cheery carving on a 15thC misericord at St Michael's, Cambridge. #Woodensday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Poor little ratty! A plump owl with beautifully curved wings carries his prey off on a 15thC misericord at St Mary Magdalene, Newark, Nottinghamshire. #OwlishMonday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Somehow he'd thought that being a cherub was going to be a bit more exciting than this.. A glum little figure at King's College Chapel, Cambridge. #StainedGlassSunday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I think you'll find that's my barrel! Just some of the dozens of different characters on the Babington monument of c1538 at St Winifred's, Kingston on Soar. A pun on the family name (a tun being a barrel) there is allegedly a hundred little people, I didn't count them.. #SundayStonework

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The openings in the bell stage of the Anglo-Saxon tower of St Bene't's, Cambridge are giving me a serious case of pareidolia.. #SteepleSaturday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Cheery cherubs and oversized vases on the font of 1632 at St Mary the Great, Cambridge. Vigorously carved I particularly like the figures waving their reading material as if they're desperate to share their favourite article with us. #FontsOnFriday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

There's something about the pattern of the bricks surrounding the vestry door at St Andrew's, Chesterton, Cambridge which is very pleasing to the eye indeed. They were added to the church in 1934. #Adoorableday #AdoorableThursday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Waking up in the 15thC doom at St Andrew's, Chesterton, Cambridge is only going to end well if there's an angel waiting to greet you, unfortunately the chap on the right has realised his fate is a much worse one. #WednesdayWallPaintings

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Even the niches have vaulted ceilings at King's College Chapel, Cambridge. #TraceryTuesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The mourners at St Nicholas, Teddington, Gloucestershire always have to crawl around on their knees to avoid the low flying angels. #MonumentsMonday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

An #OwlishMonday at All Saints craft market in Cambridge.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Woop woop... Someone is incredibly excited it's Sunday.. A teeny dancing bird (species unknown) at King's College Chapel, Cambridge. #StainedGlassSunday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Madge realised with a start that she'd forgotten to put her bra on this morning.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Jesus college chapel tower framed by an arch in the cloister Court. A fabulous few days in Cambridge with the best company imaginable ❤️ #SteepleSaturday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A really rather lovely door handle with tiny acorn finials in Jesus College chapel, Cambridge. #IronworkThursday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Worn Victorian encaustic tiles in The Round Church, Cambridge. #TilesOnTuesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Striking windows in the porch at St Martin, Woolstone, Gloucestershire for #TraceryTuesday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Thank you, completely by accident! The nave roof is much later as that part of the church was rebuilt in 1792. I've only got one other photo with the roof in and you can see a bit more if you zoom in.

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A face with a foliate tongue and a wide eyed ram, two of the fascinating carvings on the enormous 12thC chancel arch at St Peter's, Tickencote. #SundayStonework

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

There's no way you can walk into St Peter's, Tickencote, Rutland and not make a little sound of amazement when you first turn the lights on and see the stupendous 12thC chancel arch. #SundayStonework

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I think this could possibly be my new favourite headstone, perfect for #SteepleSaturday at St Luke's, Hickling. I know it looks nothing like a church apart from the steeple, the weather vane is huge! The figure is completely out of scale with the most enormously long arms and odd hands. But..but..😍

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

The font at Tewkesbury Abbey is a bit of a hotch potch. The Purbeck marble base is possibly from a 15thC monument that was subsequently removed whilst the capital decorated with ballflowers could be 14thC. The marble bowl was carved and added in the mid 19thC, a pleasant hotch potch! #FontsOnFriday

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This striking figure at St John the Baptist, Oxenton is possibly a depiction of St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine and allegedly the person who discovered the true cross whilst on pilgrimage. The disembodied eyes from later images top right are rather disconcerting! #WednesdayWallPaintings

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Fiona Chartres @chartresfi.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Delicately curling foliage on faded and worn medieval tiles at Hailes Church. #TilesOnTuesday

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