Norman

  • A Closer Examination of the North Aisle

    ByRichard

    The north aisle preserves the strongest impression of St. John the Baptist’s Norman origins. Although rebuilt by Henry Ward in the 1840s, its heavy round arches, massive pillars and Romanesque character echo the medieval church described by Stebbing Shaw. This article explores the aisle’s architectural development and its later transformation into a place of remembrance, where the history of the church and the parish meet.

  • The oldest item in the village

    ByRichard

    Standing just inside St. John the Baptist Church is probably the oldest surviving object in Armitage-with-Handsacre. Carved in the early twelfth century, the Norman font is covered with mysterious figures whose meaning has intrigued visitors for generations. This article explores its history, craftsmanship and symbolism, and asks whether it even preserves an early piece of Norman political propaganda.