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All Saints, Nunney, Somerset

Location
(51°12′32″N, 2°22′40″W)
Nunney
ST737 456
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Somerset
now Somerset
medieval St Peter
now All Saints
  • Robin Downes
  • Robin Downes
16 Aug 2007

Please use this link to cite this page - https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=883.

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Description

Nunney lies 3 miles W of Frome, Somerset. The ‘island of nuns’, in a pleasant shallow valley at the E end of the Mendips, lies to the SE of several local limestone quarries. A Cistercian nunnery was established in 1162. There is a 14thc castle and other evidence of previous importance. The church of All Saints (formerly St Peter) is built of coursed and squared Doulting rubble with ashlar dressings, and has a cruciform plan with a W tower, aisled nave, S porch and chancel. The Romanesque elements comprise the tub font and a possible sculpture of uncertain date in the N arcade.

History

In 1086 the manor was held by William of Mohun.

Features

Interior Features

Interior Decoration

Furnishings

Fonts

Comments/Opinions

Human mask: The shallow relief and features (particularly the almond-shaped eyes) suggested a potential Romanesque date to the fieldworker; however, this may well be the face which Historic England describes as the 'North transept arch of C13 build having [a] crudely carved face to [the] East respond'. Given that it is built into a non-Romanesque context and is similar to Gothic examples, it may well be 13thc more than 12th.

Font: See also Rodney Stoke for font bowl of very similar design (Rodney Stoke, Somerset - CRSBI) Clearly inspired by the same motif, could one be based on the other?

Bibliography
  1. F. Arnold-Forster, Studies in Church Dedications (London, 1899), III, 214.

Historic England listing 1058297, online at CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, Nunney - 1058297 | Historic England

  1. N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England: North Somerset and Bristol (Harmondsworth, 1958), 238.

Somerset County Council, Historic Environment Record 27411. Online at http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/text.asp