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Churches - Exterior - Decoration
 
Addlethorpe, St Nicholas, gargoyle
Addlethorpe, St Nicholas, gargoyle
Addlethorpe, St Nicholas, gargoyle

This gargoyle, with modern spout, is midway along the east wall of the porch.

August 2013

Addlethorpe, St Nicholas church, gargoyle
Ashby de la Launde, St Hibald, label stop
Ashby de la Launde, St Hibald, label stop
Ashby de la Launde, St Hibald, label stop

Ashby De La Launde, St Hibald
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, doorway decoration
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, doorway decoration
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, doorway decoration

Carved stone animal (pugnacious frog?) - a feature in the decoration around the south doorway.

April 2018

Aunsby, St Thomas a Beckett
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, Frieze
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, Frieze
Aunsby, St Thomas a Becket, Frieze

The parapet above the south aisle has a simple frieze with interlocking muchettes forming the decoration.

April 2018

Aunsby, St Thomas a Beckett, muchette, frieze
Aylesby, St Lawrence, Tower, Gargoyle
Aylesby, St Lawrence, Tower, Gargoyle
Aylesby, St Lawrence, Tower, Gargoyle

Large angle gargoyles.

DB 7 March 2020

Aylesby, Saint Lawrence, Church, Gargoyle
Bassingham, St Michael, Gargoyles
Bassingham, St Michael, Gargoyles
Bassingham, St Michael, Gargoyles

Two of the gargoyles above the clerestory.

Church guide notes read "There are gargoyles in the battlemented clerestory with tiny heads on its pinnacles and more heads by the windows.

There is a lady in a wimple; an ape pointing its teeth; a frog with bulging eyes and a dog-like face which according to Arthur Mee, Walt Disney used for a sketch he made when visiting Bassingham as a likeness for the famous Walt Disney Pluto character" 

DB 20 April 2018

Bassingham, Saint Michael, Church, image, Gargoyles
Baston, St John Baptist, porch
Baston, St John Baptist, porch
Baston, St John Baptist, porch

The elaborate niche over the south porch may have held a pieta.

September 2014

Baston, St John Baptist church, pieta, porch
Beckingham, All Saints, North Doorway
Beckingham, All Saints, North Doorway
Beckingham, All Saints, North Doorway

Detail of the arch above the Norman north doorway. The decoration includes faces, animals and leaves.

July 2018

Beckingham, All Saints, north doorway
Beckingham, All Saints, Tower, Gargoyle
Beckingham, All Saints, Tower, Gargoyle
Beckingham, All Saints, Tower, Gargoyle

Gargoyle on tower corner just beneath the battlements.

DB 8 October 2018

Beckingham, All Saints, Church, Gargoyle
Belton, St Peter & St Paul, Tower
Belton, St Peter & St Paul, Tower
Belton, St Peter & St Paul, Tower

"corner pinnacles topped with wind vanes incorporating the Brownlow crest"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1298472 

Two of the wind vanes have this design (heraldic symbol of a fountain taken from the Brownlow coat of arms) and two with the Belton Greyhound.

DB 26 September 2018

Belton, St Peter & St Paul, church, wind vane
Benniworth, St Julian, doorway
Benniworth, St Julian, doorway
Benniworth, St Julian, doorway

Detail of the Norman west doorway, with zig-zag decoration, clearly restored by Fowler.

July 2012

Benniworth, St Julian church doorway, Norman zig-zag
Billingborough, St Andrew, Nave, Label Stop
Billingborough, St Andrew, Nave, Label Stop
Billingborough, St Andrew, Nave, Label Stop

Billingborough, St Andrew label stop
Biscathorpe, St Helen
Biscathorpe, St Helen
Biscathorpe, St Helen

Close up of some of the many grotesque images on Nicholson's church.

July 2012

Biscathorpe, St Helen church
Biscathorpe, St Helen
Biscathorpe, St Helen
Biscathorpe, St Helen

The heavily crocketed pinnacles and prominent parapets of the tower.

July 2012

Biscathorpe, St Helen church
Blankney, St Oswald, Tower
Blankney, St Oswald, Tower
Blankney, St Oswald, Tower

Chaplin family crest, a Griffin's head, on the west face of the tower.

"West tower rebuilt 1805-7, restored c1820 and restored 1879-81 by Carpenter and Ingelow"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064285 

DB 2020

Blankney, Saint Oswald, Church, Griffin, Chaplin
Bloxholm, St Mary, Porch Coat of Arms
Bloxholm, St Mary, Porch Coat of Arms
Bloxholm, St Mary, Porch Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of General Manners over the porch made in Coade stone by Coade & Seely. The motto translates as 'Strive to Attain'.

Mark Acton, 2017


Bloxholm, St Mary family crest
Boston, Skirbeck Quarter, St Thomas
Boston, Skirbeck Quarter, St Thomas
Boston, Skirbeck Quarter, St Thomas

In a niche over the door to the porch is a stone carved figure of St Thomas kneeling to the risen Christ. It was sculpted in 1956 by Philip Pape*.

August 2018

Philip Pape lived and worked in Tyrwhitt Hall, Barton uopn Humber, from 1960 to 1982.

Boston, St Thomas, sculpture, Philip Pape
Brattleby, St Cuthbert, label stop
Brattleby, St Cuthbert, label stop
Brattleby, St Cuthbert, label stop

The doorway in the west wall of the tower has a hood mould ending with this carved leafy decoration.

May 2018

Brattleby, St Cuthbert
Brigg, St John the Evangelist, Chancel
Brigg, St John the Evangelist, Chancel
Brigg, St John the Evangelist, Chancel

"There is one bay of sexpartite vaulting, probably plaster, in the chancel"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1204035 

DB 15 December 2019 

Brigg, Saint John Evangelist, church, sexpartite vaulting
Bucknall, St Margaret
Bucknall, St Margaret
Bucknall, St Margaret

Gargoyle projecting from beneath the tower battlements.

The parish website states :-

"The Western tower, restored in 1912, is embattled with four pinnacles and houses a mediaeval bell. There are two original gargoyles and two of later origin"

http://lincoln.ourchurchweb.org.uk/woodhallspa/bucknall/page1/ 

DB 19 May 2018

Bucknall, Saint Margaret, Church
Burringham, St John Baptist, Tower Frieze
Burringham, St John Baptist, Tower Frieze
Burringham, St John Baptist, Tower Frieze

The eaves of the tower are decorated by a prominent brickwork frieze in the Lombard (Italian) style.

Small recessed crosses formed from three bricks, originally blackened, are positioned between the arches of the frieze.

KR, May 2023
Burringham, St John Baptist, Frieze, Lombardy
Burringham, St John Baptist, Turret
Burringham, St John Baptist, Turret
Burringham, St John Baptist, Turret

This remarkable construction is supported by corbelled brickwork from the north-west corner of the tower.

At one time there was a stove in the church close to this position, but it is by no means certain that this brick structure ever served as a chimney.

The opinion of an experienced modern student of Teulon’s work is that this was merely a decorative feature created by an eccentric architect.

In the recent past the original ‘pepper pot’ cowl has been replaced by a concrete slab. The vertical openings close to the top of the structure were probably infilled many years ago.

KR, May 2023
Burringham, St John Baptist, Turret
Castle Bytham, St James, grotesque
Castle Bytham, St James, grotesque
Castle Bytham, St James, grotesque

Label stop or grotesque.

March 2017

Castle Bytham, St James, grotesque
Claxby by Alford, St Andrew
Claxby by Alford, St Andrew
Claxby by Alford, St Andrew

This grotesque placed as a label stop to the left of the west doorway is probably the only surviving external fragment of the medieval church which occupied this site.

September 2015

Claxby-East-Lindsey, St Andrew church, grotesque
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel

Example carving from the external corbel table below the eaves of the roof.

"A finely carved corbel table"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1164829?section=official-list-entry 

DB 26 July 2022

Coleby, Kesteven, Church, All Saints, Image, corbel table
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel

Example carving from the external corbel table below the eaves of the roof.

"A finely carved corbel table"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1164829?section=official-list-entry 

DB 26 July 2022

Coleby, Kesteven, Church, All Saints, Image, corbel table
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel
Coleby, All Saints, Chancel, Corbel

Example carving from the external corbel table below the eaves of the roof.

"A finely carved corbel table"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1164829?section=official-list-entry 

DB 26 July 2022

Coleby, Kesteven, Church, All Saints, Image, corbel table
Coleby, All Saints, Tower, Grotesque
Coleby, All Saints, Tower, Grotesque
Coleby, All Saints, Tower, Grotesque

Grotesque at the corner of the tower parapet.

DB 26 July 2022

Coleby, Kesteven, Church, All Saints, Image, Grotesque
Coningsby, St Michael, gargoyle
Coningsby, St Michael, gargoyle
Coningsby, St Michael, gargoyle

Gargoyle in the form of a grinning gryphon.

April 2016

Coningsby, St Michael, gargoyle
Croft, All Saints, Dripstone
Croft, All Saints, Dripstone
Croft, All Saints, Dripstone

Badly eroded grotesque carving of a head at the end of a hood mould.

May 2016

Croft, All Saints, grotesque
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop

One of a pair of label stops by the west door.

September 2017

Deeping St Nicholas, head, label stop
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop
Deeping St Nicholas, church, label stop

One of a pair of label stops by the west door.

September 2017



Deeping St Nicholas, head, label stop
Dorrington, St James & St John, Chancel, Frieze
Dorrington, St James & St John, Chancel, Frieze
Dorrington, St James & St John, Chancel, Frieze

Above the east window "are 2 lengths of a frieze or tympanum of the Last Judgement, the left piece shows figures climbing out of their graves, and the right the mouth of hell"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1254085 

DB 8 June 2020

Dorrington, St James & St John, Church, frieze, tympanum
Dunsby, All&nbspSaints
Dunsby, All Saints
Dunsby, All Saints

The slender angle buttresses on the tower have crocketed gablets and these decorative pieces at the level of the second stage.

October 2017

Dunsby, All Saints church
East Torrington, St Michael, Label Stop
East Torrington, St Michael, Label Stop
East Torrington, St Michael, Label Stop

Label stop over window in south wall of nave.

July 2012

East Torrington, St Michael church
East Keal, St Helen
East Keal, St Helen
East Keal, St Helen

The Early English style west doorway of 1853 has four orders, and dog tooth decoration round the arches.

July 2014

East Keal, St Helen church, doorway
East Ravendale, St Martin, label stop
East Ravendale, St Martin, label stop
East Ravendale, St Martin, label stop
All the lancet windows designed by James Fowler in Early English style have hood moulding ending in decorated 'organic' stops.
East Ravendale, St Martin church, label stop
Edenham, St Michael, gargoyle
Edenham, St Michael, gargoyle
Edenham, St Michael, gargoyle

Gargoyle above the south wall of the nave.

May 2018

Edenham, St Michael, gargoyle
Elsham, All Saints, sculpture
Elsham, All Saints, sculpture
Elsham, All Saints, sculpture

The two west tower buttresses each contain part of a frieze of the Last Judgement.

The left panel is largely obliterated. This is the right panel showing an angel and five of the 'doomed'.

April 2018

Elsham, All Saints church, last judgement
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque

A crudely carved - and heavily weathered - grotesque by the north porch entrance.

August 2015

Epworth, St Andrew church, grotesque
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque
Epworth, St Andrew, North Porch, Grotesque

A crudely carved - and heavily weathered - grotesque by the north porch entrance.

August 2015

Epworth, St Andrew church, grotesque
Ewerby, St Andrew
Ewerby, St Andrew
Ewerby, St Andrew

Decorative detail, on the tower, a little above the porch

DB 26 April 2021

Ewerby Saint Andrew Church Image
Folkingham, St Andrew, Exterior Memorial
Folkingham, St Andrew, Exterior Memorial
Folkingham, St Andrew, Exterior Memorial

"Large projecting stack to west with 3 ashlar monuments, the inscription of one, illegible, the others to John Lacey, died 1682 and Mary Lacey, died 1707"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062733

DB 23 June 2020

Folkingham, Saint Andrew, Church, John Lacey
Frampton, St Michael, doorway decoration
Frampton, St Michael, doorway decoration
Frampton, St Michael, doorway decoration

Decoration of vine leaves and grapes in the surround to the south doorway.

August 2018

Frampton, West, St Michael
Frampton, St Michael, headstop
Frampton, St Michael, headstop
Frampton, St Michael, headstop

Ball flower decoration - actually ivy - as a headstop.

August 2018

Frampton, West, St Michael, ball flower
Fulbeck, St Nicholas, Tower, Interlace
Fulbeck, St Nicholas, Tower, Interlace
Fulbeck, St Nicholas, Tower, Interlace

"A fragment of ex situ Anglo-Saxon sculpture is preserved in the middle stage of the north wall of the tower,immediately above and slightly to the left of the central C15 buttress.

The fragement bears interlace ornament on the rightand a panel with a cable moulded border to the left.It is panel rather than from a cross shaft"

DB 22 November 2020 

Fulbeck, Saint Nicholas, Church, interlace
Garthorpe, St Mary, rain water head
Garthorpe, St Mary, rain water head
Garthorpe, St Mary, rain water head

Original cast-iron water head or hopper on the south side of the church.

August 2015

Garthorpe, St Mary church, rain water head
Glentham, St Peter & St Paul, Porch
Glentham, St Peter & St Paul, Porch
Glentham, St Peter & St Paul, Porch

Above the Perpendicular south porch entrance is a niche with a weathered pieta.

The 14th century arms of the Tournays who lived at nearby Caenby are seen inside. 

May 2008

Glentham, St Peter & St Paul
Grainsby, St Nicholas, Chevron Masonry
Grainsby, St Nicholas, Chevron Masonry
Grainsby, St Nicholas, Chevron Masonry

These small sections of Norman chevron decoration - perhaps from an earlier building on this site - have been built into the east wall of the chancel.

Historic England consider that these sections and other blocks of masonry are possibly reddened by fire.

Jean Howard, February 2024  

Grainsby, St Nicholas, chevron, Norman
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states "On the west tace of the tower are the Royal arms and supporters surmounted by a crown"

DB 19 September 2020

Great Ponton, Holy Cross, church, image, tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower

Grotesque with spectacles.

"Decorated battlemented parapet with further frieze, 8 crocketed pinnacles, and 2 large grotesque chutes to each face"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062347 

DB 19 September 2020

Great Ponton, Holy Cross, church, image, grotesque, spectacles
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower

"On the south side the inscription "Thynk and thyanke God of all" under the arms of Anthony Ellis with hood mould"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062347 

DB 19 September 2020

Great Ponton, Holy Cross, church, image, Anthony Ellis
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower
Great Ponton, Holy Cross, Tower

"Decorated battlemented parapet with further frieze, 8 crocketed pinnacles, and 2 large grotesque chutes to each face.

Golden violin weather vane"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062347 

DB 19 September 2020

Great Ponton, Holy Cross, church, image
Grimoldby, St Edith, Gargoyle
Grimoldby, St Edith, Gargoyle
Grimoldby, St Edith, Gargoyle

A gargoyle above the south aisle at St Edith's, Grimoldby.

September 2012

Grimoldby, St Edith church, gargoyle
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque

A grotesque in limestone above the porch at St Edith's.

September 2012

Grimoldby, St Edith church, grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque

This staring creature was designed to be a gargoyle and should have a spout from his mouth.
 
However, the south aisle roof has been redesigned and water now drains from a metal trough above.

Jean Howard, 21 March 2021

Grimoldby, Saint Edith Church, grotesque S
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque

A bearded face above the western corner of the south aisle. He wears a short decorative cape.

Jean Howard, 21 March 2021

Grimoldby, Saint Edith Church, grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque
Grimoldby, St Edith, Grotesque

A benign lady and an angel stare out from the north eastern corners of the north aisle and nave.

Jean Howard, 21 March 2021

Grimoldby, Saint Edith Church, Grotesque
Hackthorn, St Michael
Hackthorn, St Michael
Hackthorn, St Michael

Detail of the "funny little heads" on the eaves corbels (Pevsner), on the north side of the nave.

Sept 2012

Hackthorn, St Michael church, eaves corbels
Hackthorn, St Michael
Hackthorn, St Michael
Hackthorn, St Michael

Decorative detail near the north door.

Sept 2012

Hackthorn, St Michael
Haltham on Bain, St Benedict
Haltham on Bain, St Benedict
Haltham on Bain, St Benedict

"In the west gable are two re-set medieval stones carved with heads"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Benedict%27s_Church,_Haltham-on-Bain 

DB 21 January 2019

Haltham On Bain, Saint Benedict, church, head
Halton Holegate, St Andrew, porch detail
Halton Holegate, St Andrew, porch detail
Halton Holegate, St Andrew, porch detail

Details of the double rows of quatrefoils above the porch.

May 2016

Halton Holegate, St Andrew church porch
Heapham, All Saints, Label Stop
Heapham, All Saints, Label Stop
Heapham, All Saints, Label Stop

The label stop to the hood mould over the nave window, a decorative feature dating from the nineteenth-century restoration of the church.

June 2020

Heapham, All Saints, label stop, hood mould
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques

The two small grotesques are above the niche in a buttress on the south face of the chancel.

June 2015

Heckington, St Andrew church, grotesque
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques

A boat going grotesque on the south side of the chancel.

Supposed to be 198 gargoyles in total!

DB 25 June 2022

Heckington, Saint Andrew Church, image
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques

A particularly rude grotesque at the east end of the chancel.

DB 25 June 2022

Heckington, Saint Andrew Church, image
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques

A woman being attacked?

DB 25 June 2022

Heckington, Saint Andrew Church, image
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques
Heckington, St Andrew, Grotesques

A flute player on the south side of the chancel.

DB 20 June 2022

Heckington, Saint Andrew Church, image
Heckington, St Andrew, porch
Heckington, St Andrew, porch
Heckington, St Andrew, porch

Detail of the decorated parapet above the porch, with the (replaced) figure of Christ in the centre.

June 2015

Heckington, St Andrew church, porch
Heckington, St Andrew, Tower, Statue
Heckington, St Andrew, Tower, Statue
Heckington, St Andrew, Tower, Statue

Local signage states :-

"The niche on the tower south west buttress houses a 14th century statue of St John, identified by his eagle symbol.

It is the sole survivor of the 38 statues that once decked St Andrew's buttresses; the remainder are said to have been broken up to repair the churchyard wall".

DB 20 June 2022

Heckington, Saint Andrew Church, image
Heighington, St Thomas, label stop
Heighington, St Thomas, label stop
Heighington, St Thomas, label stop

Carved stone ball flower decoration as the stop of drip mould over nave window.

July 2018

Heighington, St Thomas, ball flower, drip mould
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque

Grotesque on external wall of 13th century south aisle.

May 2010

Holton cum Beckering, All Saints
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque
Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, Grotesque

Grotesque on external wall of south aisle.

May 2010

Holton cum Beckering, All Saints, grotesque
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle

There are several well carved gargoyles above the clerestory and aisles.

March 2016

Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle

There are several well carved gargoyles above the clerestory and aisles.

March 2016



Hougham, All Saints church, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle
Hougham, All Saints, gargoyle

There are several well carved gargoyles above the clerestory and aisles.

March 2016



Hougham, All Saints church, gargoyle
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew church, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew, grotesque
Immingham, St Andrew church, grotesque
Kelby, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Kelby, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Kelby, St Andrew, Gargoyle

A very expressive gargoyle on the face of the south porch, no longer serving its original purpose.

April 2018

Kelby, St Andrew church, gargoyle
Kelby, St Andrew, grotesque
Kelby, St Andrew, grotesque
Kelby, St Andrew, grotesque

Grotesque faces decorate the cap of a buttress on the south aisle.

April 2018

Kelby, St Andrew church, grotesque
Kelby, St Andrew, Label Stop
Kelby, St Andrew, Label Stop
Kelby, St Andrew, Label Stop

Label stop at the end of the hood mould over the south doorway.

April 2018

Kelby, St Andrew church, label stop, hood mould
Leasingham, St Andrew, Porch, Angel
Leasingham, St Andrew, Porch, Angel
Leasingham, St Andrew, Porch, Angel

The fourteenth century carved angel on the left of the porch entrance.

June 2017

Leasingham, St Andrew, angel
Lenton, St Peter, Label Stop
Lenton, St Peter, Label Stop
Lenton, St Peter, Label Stop

A well weathered label stop to a hood mould in the form of a head.

April 2018

Lenton, St Peter, label stop
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statue
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statue
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statue

Extrerior statue Margaret of France (1279 - 1318) second wife of Edward I (1239 -1307). Partly hidden by the Russell Chantry which was a later addition.

The head is an 1848 replacement. 

DB 7 August 2020

Lincoln Cathedral, statue, Margaret of France, image
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statues
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statues
Lincoln Cathedral, Angel Choir, Statues

Exterior statues of Edward I (1239 - 1307) and his first wife Queen Eleanor of Castile (1241 - 1290) located on a buttress at the southeast corner of the Cathedral.

The heads are 1848 replacements.

DB 7 August 2020

Cathedral, Statue, Edward I, Eleanor of Castile, image
Lincoln Cathedral, North Transept, Bat Sculpture
Lincoln Cathedral, North Transept, Bat Sculpture
Lincoln Cathedral, North Transept, Bat Sculpture

A modern bat sculpture, set into a window opening, on the outside of the north transept - third window opening above ground level northwest corner.

Visible from the newly opened Dean's Green. 

DB 24 September 2020

Lincoln Cathedral, Bat
Lincoln, St Peter in Eastgate
Lincoln, St Peter in Eastgate
Lincoln, St Peter in Eastgate

Closer view of Saint Peter's crossed keys on west face of the church.

DB 24 December 2019

Lincoln, Saint Peter In Eastgate, Church, crossed keys, image
Little Bytham, St Medard, north doorway
Little Bytham, St Medard, north doorway
Little Bytham, St Medard, north doorway

Carved stone in the form of a frog (?) above the north doorway.

March 2017

Little Bytham, St Medard
Little Bytham, St Medard, priest's doorway
Little Bytham, St Medard, priest's doorway
Little Bytham, St Medard, priest's doorway

Detail of the tympanum above the priest's doorway on the south side of the chancel.

The carving is of a bird. To the left is an empty roundel, once possibly enclosing a holy relic.

March 2017

Little Bytham, St Medard, tympanum, relic
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle

This gargoyle is above the south aisle.

May 2016

Little Steeping, St Andrew church, gargoyle
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Gargoyle

This gargoyle conducts water from the parapet of the nave onto the roof of the south aisle.

Jean Howard 20 August 2023

Little Steeping, Saint Andrew church image
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Tower, Detail
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Tower, Detail
Little Steeping, St Andrew, Tower, Detail

The moulded eaves of the tower are decorated with a series of small sculptures. These along the western side show two faces, a rabbit and a flower head.

Jean Howard 20 August 2023

Little Steeping, Saint Andrew church image
Londonthorpe, St John Baptist, gargoyle
Londonthorpe, St John Baptist, gargoyle
Londonthorpe, St John Baptist, gargoyle

One of the many interesting gargoyles at the church of St John Baptist.

Mark Acton, 2016

Londonthorpe, St John Baptist, gargoyle
Lusby, St Peter, Nave, South Doorway, Cross
Lusby, St Peter, Nave, South Doorway, Cross
Lusby, St Peter, Nave, South Doorway, Cross

This small carved stone cross is set over the blocked south doorway, which dates from the Norman period.

July 2015

Lusby, St Peter carving
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, Porch, South Door, Grotesque
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, Porch, South Door, Grotesque
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, Porch, South Door, Grotesque

This grotesque cat-like face is alongside the south door.

April 2016

Mareham le Fen, St Helen church, grotesque
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, St George
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, St George
Mareham le Fen, St Helen, St George

By the westernmopst pinnacle above the south aisle is this small figure in fouteenth century costume.

Pevsner describes it as a knight; the local residents consider it to be St George. The creature beneath the figues feet is indeed dragon-like.

April 2016

Mareham le Fen, St George, St Helen church
Marshchapel, St Mary, grotesque
Marshchapel, St Mary, grotesque
Marshchapel, St Mary, grotesque

This grotesque is just above the south porch.

September 2012

Marshchapel, St Mary, grotesque
Martin by Timberland, Holy Trinity, Gargoyle
Martin by Timberland, Holy Trinity, Gargoyle
Martin by Timberland, Holy Trinity, Gargoyle

Expressive gargoyle high on the south-east corner of the tower just below the parapet.

April 2018

Martin by Timberland, Holy Trinity, gargoyle
Martin by Horncastle, St Michael, South Door
Martin by Horncastle, St Michael, South Door
Martin by Horncastle, St Michael, South Door

Shaft capitals bear small human masks.

DB 24 August 2019

Martin, Saint Michael, Church
Marton, St Margaret, South Aisle
Marton, St Margaret, South Aisle
Marton, St Margaret, South Aisle

"West end of south aisle with fragments of Anglo Saxon cross with interlace and cable decoration re-set"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1359484 

DB 24 June 2020

Marton, Saint Margaret, Church
Middle Rasen, St Peter, South Doorway
Middle Rasen, St Peter, South Doorway
Middle Rasen, St Peter, South Doorway

Detail of the beakhead and zigzag decoration surrounding the south doorway, Norman in style but most probably restored.

December 2017

Middle Rasen, St Peter church
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop

Carved face as label stop at the end of hood mould.

October 2017

Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop
Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist, label stop

Carved face as label stop at the end of hood mould.

October 2017



Morton by Bourne, St John Baptist
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration

Victorian decoration on the battlement above the south wall of the nave.

January 2018

Normanton, St Nicholas, battlement
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration
Normanton, St Nicholas, Nave, Decoration

"The east wall of the nave has a battlemented parapet which terminates with an angel figure at the ridge. A C19 cross stands on the C15 pinnacle base"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1146921?section=official-list-entry 

DB 18 March 2024

Normanton, Saint Nicholas Church
Normanton, St Nicholas, Tower, Parapet
Normanton, St Nicholas, Tower, Parapet
Normanton, St Nicholas, Tower, Parapet

"The plain parapet has a finally carved corbel table and moulded top"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1146921?section=official-list-entry 

DB 18 March 2024

Normanton, Saint Nicholas Church
North Killingholme, St Denis, grotesque
North Killingholme, St Denis, grotesque
North Killingholme, St Denis, grotesque
North Killingholme, St Denis church, grotesque
North Ormsby, St Helen
North Ormsby, St Helen
North Ormsby, St Helen

Label stop on hood moulding over the east window at St Helen's church - work of S S Teulon.

Peter Kirk Collection, 1997

North Ormsby, St Helen
North Ormsby, St Helen
North Ormsby, St Helen
North Ormsby, St Helen

Label stop on hood moulding at St Helen's church - work of S S Teulon.

Peter Kirk Collection, 1997



North Ormsby, St Helen
North Witham, St Mary, grotesque
North Witham, St Mary, grotesque
North Witham, St Mary, grotesque

Carved grotesque face set in the external wall of the church.

March 2017

North Witham, St Mary, grotesque
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee

Tower detail.

Spot the "Man of Clee" in the centre.

Mark Acton, 2008

Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
Old Clee, Holy Trinity, Man of Clee
An enlargement of the unusually shaped stone set in the church tower.
Old Clee, Old Man
Old Bolingbroke, St Peter & St Paul
Old Bolingbroke, St Peter & St Paul
Old Bolingbroke, St Peter & St Paul
Old Bolingbroke, St Peter & St Paul church
Quarrington, St Botolph, South Door
Quarrington, St Botolph, South Door
Quarrington, St Botolph, South Door

Boss immediately above the south door.

A man sticking his tongue out to scare away evil. 

DB 18 November 2019

Quarrington, Saint Botolph, church
Ranby, St German, Grotesque
Ranby, St German, Grotesque
Ranby, St German, Grotesque

On the south-eastern corner of the tower is this unusual sculpture: a double head with tight ringlets and a broad crown over both heads.
 
NB although the Historic England description names this feature as a gargoyle this is not accurate as it does not conduct water and would more properly be termed a grotesque.
 
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063064?section=official-listing 

Jean Howard, 2 January 2022

Ranby Saint German Church Gargoyle
Ranby, St German, Label Stop
Ranby, St German, Label Stop
Ranby, St German, Label Stop

This label stop is at the end of the hood mould over the chancel's south window.

It is typical of the 'medieval' faces used by Victorian architects to embellish their Gothic designs. 

June 2018

Ranby, St Germain, label stop
Ranby, St German, Vestry
Ranby, St German, Vestry
Ranby, St German, Vestry

Part of the head of a fifteenth century window - presumably from the medieval church here - has been re-used, built into the exterior of the vestry to form blind arcading.

Jean Howard, 2 January 2022

Ranby Saint German Church
Reepham, St Peter & St Paul
Reepham, St Peter & St Paul
Reepham, St Peter & St Paul

"South side of nave with outline of 3 early C13 pointed arcade bays. Foliated capital on corbel head between first and second bays from east, with octagonal abacus"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064025?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2022

Reepham, St Peter & St Paul Church, image
Rippingale, St Andrew
Rippingale, St Andrew
Rippingale, St Andrew

Around the base of the church tower is a frieze with quatrefoil decoration.

October 2017

Rippingale, St Andrew
Ropsley, St Peter, Grotesque
Ropsley, St Peter, Grotesque
Ropsley, St Peter, Grotesque

A small grotesque carving in the interior of St Peter's.

September 2013

Ropsley, St Peter grotesque
Rowston, St Clement, Interlace
Rowston, St Clement, Interlace
Rowston, St Clement, Interlace

"The south wall has ... two small pieces of interlace buried in the walling"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064293 

DB 25 June 2020

Rowston, Saint Clement, Church, interlace
Rowston, St Clement, Weather Vane
Rowston, St Clement, Weather Vane
Rowston, St Clement, Weather Vane

A weather vane tops the elegantly slender tower and spire. 

DB 19 March 2020

Rowston, Saint Clement, Church, weather vane
Scothern, St German
Scothern, St German
Scothern, St German

This weathered head by the west door is thought to have originated in Barlings Abbey.

January 2014

Scothern, St German
Sempringham, St Andrew
Sempringham, St Andrew
Sempringham, St Andrew

The decorative frieze in pseudo Norman style applied in the Victorian restoration.

October 2017

Sempringham, St Andrew
Sempringham, St Andrew, Tower
Sempringham, St Andrew, Tower
Sempringham, St Andrew, Tower

Grotesque sculpted figure.

DB 8 August 2020 

Sempringham, Saint Andrew, church
Sempringham, St Andrew, West Front
Sempringham, St Andrew, West Front
Sempringham, St Andrew, West Front

"C12 west front ... 2 human heads in gable"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1241280 

DB 8 August 2020 

Sempringham, Saint Andrew, church,
Sixhills, All Saints, Roof
Sixhills, All Saints, Roof
Sixhills, All Saints, Roof

This fine decorated cast-iron work is on the ridge of the roof at the east end of the nave.

August 2010

Sixhills, All Saints, roof ridge cast iron
Somerby, St Margaret, Gargoyle
Somerby, St Margaret, Gargoyle
Somerby, St Margaret, Gargoyle

A gargoyle in the north wall of the nave is now bypassed by the modern rainwater goods.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Somerby, Saint Margaret Church
South Ferriby, St Nicholas, Tympanum
South Ferriby, St Nicholas, Tympanum
South Ferriby, St Nicholas, Tympanum

A Norman tympanum is set over the porch entrance of St Nicholas', and there are other traces of Norman work inside.

April 2018

South Ferriby, St Nicholas, Norman tympanum
South Ormsby, St Leonard, Gargoyle
South Ormsby, St Leonard, Gargoyle
South Ormsby, St Leonard, Gargoyle

Gargoyles at each corner of the tower.

DB 14 August 2018

South Ormsby, St Leonard, church, gargoyle
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, corbel
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, corbel
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, corbel

This corbel in the interior of the church probably represents the Green Man.

August 2016

Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas church, corbel, green man
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, gargoyle
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, gargoyle
Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas, gargoyle

Sheep's head gargoyle on the south side of the nave.

August 2016

Spalding, St Mary & St Nicholas church, gargoyle
Stainby, St Peter, label stop
Stainby, St Peter, label stop
Stainby, St Peter, label stop

Label stop in the form of a 'medieval' head, a typical decorative device used by Victorian church restorers.

April 2017

Stainby, St Peter, label stop
Stapleford, All Saints, Tower
Stapleford, All Saints, Tower
Stapleford, All Saints, Tower

C14 west window out of view in this image but with "plaque over inscribed 'T W'?, then 3 heads from label stops buried in masonary".

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1168219

DB 2020

Stapleford, All Saints Church, image
Stewton, St Andrew, Porch
Stewton, St Andrew, Porch
Stewton, St Andrew, Porch

Detail of end of arch at west doorway.

June 2015

Stewton, St Andrew church
Stragglethorpe, St Michael, Michael & Dragon
Stragglethorpe, St Michael, Michael & Dragon
Stragglethorpe, St Michael, Michael & Dragon

West end has a carving of Michael spearing the dragon set in a tracery arch.

DB 14 April 2018

Stragglethorpe, Church, Saint Michael, Carving, Dragon
Sudbrooke, St Edward, doorway
Sudbrooke, St Edward, doorway
Sudbrooke, St Edward, doorway

Detail of the south doorway.

December 2013

Sudbrooke, St Edward
Sutton St Edmund, church porch
Sutton St Edmund, church porch
Sutton St Edmund, church porch

The porch (added in the nineteenth century) is flanked by columns with leafy capitals.

September 2017

Sutton St Edmund, porch church
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail

The south aisle was built in 1886-87 as part of the restoration of the church.

April 2016

Swarby, St Mary & All Saints church
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail

Detail from the south aisle, which was built in 1886-87 as part of the restoration of the church.

April 2016



Swarby, St Mary & All Saints church
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail
Swarby, St Mary & All Saints, South Aisle, Detail

Further deatils from he south aisle, which was built in 1886-87 as part of the restoration of the church.

April 2016



Swarby, St Mary & All Saints church
Tetford, St Mary, Tower, Gargoyle
Tetford, St Mary, Tower, Gargoyle
Tetford, St Mary, Tower, Gargoyle

Large corner gargoyle.

DB 18 January 2020

Tetford, Saint Mary, Church, gargoyle
Theddlethorpe All Saints, Gargoyle
Theddlethorpe All Saints, Gargoyle
Theddlethorpe All Saints, Gargoyle

One of several gargoyles for draining water from the roof behind the battlemented parapets above both the nave and south aisle.

June 2008

Theddlethorpe All Saints, gargoyle
Timberland, St Andrew, Grotesque
Timberland, St Andrew, Grotesque
Timberland, St Andrew, Grotesque

An expressive grotesque carving.

April 2018

Timberland, St Andrew
Torksey, St Peter, Caryatid
Torksey, St Peter, Caryatid
Torksey, St Peter, Caryatid

Pevsner says that above the west tower window is a "charming crouching figure: a reset C14 caryatid".

DB 20 May 2018 

 

Torksey, St Peter, church, caryatid
Torksey, St Peter, Grotesque
Torksey, St Peter, Grotesque
Torksey, St Peter, Grotesque

Grotesque head set into the west tower. Fingers pulling the mouth into a wicked grin.

DB 20 May 2018

Torksey, St Peter, church, Grotesque
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figure
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figure
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figure

Another figure of a musician carved in stone and a little above head height on a buttress to the south aisle.

January 2018



Welbourn, St Chad, grotesque
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figures
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figures
Welbourn, Saint Chad, Carved Figures

Two of the very fine carved figures of musicians flanking a buttress to the south aisle.

January 2018

Welbourn, St Chad, musicians
Welby, St Bartholomew
Welby, St Bartholomew
Welby, St Bartholomew

The decorated frieze on the parapet above the nave is carried round the head of the polygonal rood staircase projection adjacent to the chancel.

April 2016

Welby, St Bartholomew
Welby, St Bartholomew, grotesque
Welby, St Bartholomew, grotesque
Welby, St Bartholomew, grotesque

This grotesque is mounted on the corner of the porch.

April 2016

Welby, St Bartolomew, grotesque
Welton, St Mary, interior decoration
Welton, St Mary, interior decoration
Welton, St Mary, interior decoration

There is stencilled frieze decorating the top of the nave walls.

May 2016

Welton, St Mary church, interior decoration
West Keal, St Helen
West Keal, St Helen
West Keal, St Helen

The 15th century porch, like the tower, has impressive gargoyles.

July 2014

West Keal, St Helen church, gargoyle
West Keal, St Helen
West Keal, St Helen
West Keal, St Helen

Gargoyle from the 15th century porch.

July 2014

West Keal, St Helen church, gargoyle
West Rasen, All Saints, Nave, Clerestory
West Rasen, All Saints, Nave, Clerestory
West Rasen, All Saints, Nave, Clerestory

The clerestory windows on the south side of the nave are flanked by a frieze of shields said to have come from a tomb-chest.

July 2013

West Rasen, All Saints church
West Torrington, St Mary, Label Stop
West Torrington, St Mary, Label Stop
West Torrington, St Mary, Label Stop

Inside the porch by the south doorway the head of a bishop as the label stop.

August 2018

West Torrington, St Mark, label stop
Willoughton, St Andrew, Label Stop
Willoughton, St Andrew, Label Stop
Willoughton, St Andrew, Label Stop

The simple but stylish label stop to the hood mould over the west doorway - Victorian in date.

August 2018

 

Willoughton, St Andrew, head stop
Winteringham, All Saints, sculpture
Winteringham, All Saints, sculpture
Winteringham, All Saints, sculpture

This tiny figure stands in a niche high up in the east wall of the Early English south transept.  It probably dates from the fourteenth century.

April 2015

Winteringham, All Saints church, sculpture
Wispington, St Margaret, Label Stop
Wispington, St Margaret, Label Stop
Wispington, St Margaret, Label Stop

A rather charming 'bird-in-foliage' stop to the hood mould over the south doorway.

June 2018

Wispington, St Margaret, label stop
Withcall, St Martin, Figure Niche
Withcall, St Martin, Figure Niche
Withcall, St Martin, Figure Niche

This figure is erected above the porch doorway.

It is thought to show St Martin of Tours dressed as a Bishop, which role he unwillingly took in later life, with the kneeling figure of the beggar of Amiens whose plight prompted the action that marked Martin's conversion to Christianity.

Jean Howard, December 2020

Withcall, St Martin, figure in niche
Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, St James, Carved Head
Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, St James, Carved Head
Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, St James, Carved Head

This stone carving from Place's restoration of 1847 is by the south door of the church.

September 2009

Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, St James church, carving
Wootton, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Wootton, St Andrew, Gargoyle
Wootton, St Andrew, Gargoyle

The string course below the tower battlements carries prominent gargoyles at each corner.

September 2019

Wootton, St Andrew, gargoyle
Wyberton, St Leodegar, Hood Mould Stop
Wyberton, St Leodegar, Hood Mould Stop
Wyberton, St Leodegar, Hood Mould Stop

The entrance into the church is via the west door. This is one of the angel figures that form hood mould stops to the doorway. 

Jean Howard, July 2021

Wyberton, St Leodegar, dripstone, hood mould,
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel

The left, northern, spandrel of the west door shows the Tree of Life with Adam and Eve.

A flat band of text runs around the arch. Though now almost illegible, it reads ‘Wo so looks thys work opon Pray for all yat yt begun’.

Jean Howard, January 2024

Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Doorway Spandrel

The right, southern, spandrel bears oak leaves and two shields, the upper one showing the symbols of the passion.

A flat band of text runs around the arch. Though now almost illegible, it reads ‘Wo so looks thys work opon Pray for all yat yt begun’.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Spandrel
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Hood Mould
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Hood Mould
Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Hood Mould

The east window has two attractive hood mould stops: this to the north depicts a king.

Jean Howard, January 2024 

Yarburgh, St John the Baptist, Hood Mould