The South Door of the early Norman St Nicholas Church, Barfreston in Kent, England. The church was probably founded in the late 11th century. That building was remodelled around 1180, with the addition of over 100 superb carvings. The tympanum and arches boast some of the finest Norman carvings in Britain. At the centre of the tympanum is a figure of Christ. At his feet are two mermaids, a gryphon, and a figure of a sphinx. In the medieval period, the village of Barfreston was a stopover place for pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St Thomas a Becket at Canterbury. That may account for
The South Door of the early Norman St Nicholas Church, Barfreston in Kent, England. The church was probably founded in the late 11th century. That building was remodelled around 1180, with the addition of over 100 superb carvings. The tympanum and arches boast some of the finest Norman carvings in Britain. At the centre of the tympanum is a figure of Christ. At his feet are two mermaids, a gryphon, and a figure of a sphinx. In the medieval period, the village of Barfreston was a stopover place for pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St Thomas a Becket at Canterbury. That may account for the likeness of Becket carved on the south door, the first known representation of Becket in the country.
Size: 3294px × 4402px
Location: Barfreston, Dover, UK
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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