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# Mortehoe Bench Ends, Devon
- URL: https://www.digest.andymarshall.co/treasure-hoard-entry-mortehoe-bench-ends/
- Published: 2023-11-18T15:25:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-30T20:25:57.000Z
- Description: The chestnut bench ends are highly decorated and are said to be of C16th date, re-arranged in the 1850’s.
- Author: Andy  Marshall
- Tags: treasure hoard gazetteer, mortehoe, st. mary mortehoe, benchends, Carved bench ends at St. Mayr Mortehoe, Treasure, #treasure-04

**Entry: The chestnut bench ends are highly decorated and are said to be of C16th date, re-arranged in the 1850’s.**

**The chestnut bench ends are highly decorated and are said to be of C16th date, re-arranged in the 1850’s.**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2026/08/img_6814.jpg)

They are of a style that is particular to some churches in Devon and Cornwall. There's a variety of symbols carved on to the sides - some are religious (Instruments of the Passion - ladder, hammer etc) and some are thought to relate to the people that sat in the benches - arms, vocation etc.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2026/08/img_6841.jpg)

There are a few other churches that have a similar style in Devon and Cornwall including St. Brannock in Braunton, Devon.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2026/08/img_6824.jpg)

Sitting down in church wasn't always the rage - pews were introduced during the later medieval period and their ownership and positioning became subject to societal changes in privilege, hierarchy and privacy.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2026/08/Morthoe-Benchends-Final-1-1.jpg)

## Morte Point

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/2e/b6/2eb6d776-18dd-41f1-a2d1-b76fa2d605be/content/images/2023/11/img_6904.jpg)

The day after photographing Barnstaple museum I took a walk around Morte Point towards Bull Point and back through the village of Mortehoe. The scenery is delightful and worth the walk. 

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