Carvings at Breedon-on-the-Hill

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walwyn Thu, 10/14/2010 - 22:16

breedon-on-the-hill 22

Formerly a fortified hilltop, a monastery was established at Breedon-on-the-Hill by the 7th century. The first Abbot, Hedda,1 became the second bishop of Lichfield in 691. The monastery was later destroyed by the Danes in the 9th century and not re-established again until the foundation of an Augustinian Priory in early C12. The church was further remodeled in the C13 with a long and wide chancel which forms today’s nave.

Incorporated into the church wall are well preserved surviving fragments of friezes from the ancient monastery. They have been dated to between the 8th and 9th centuries, and are stylistically similar to the Book of Cerne (c820)2 and the 'Hedda' stone at Peterborough Cathedral. The above grouping has two sets of saints on either side of a central female figure giving a Byzantine blessing.

Anglo Saxon carving female figure blessing