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.

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.

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

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.

Morte Point

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.