The Church of St Ethelbert, Hessett

This is a visit I did a few weeks ago.

 Hessett - another small village, not far from the A14 just into West Suffolk.  I decided to go cross country after shopping in Stowmarket and got 'lost' a couple of times in the small lanes between villages.

 The way in..............

 

 

The medieval wall paintings are the reason this church is included in the 100 treasures book. Most (all?) churches would have had these - Partly as a visual aid for the parishioners who wouldn't have understood the Latin scriptures and part of the tradition of devotion.

The painting below dates from 1370 and is probably the clearest remaining depiction of the Seven Deadly Sins

There's a drawing below to show it more clearly

 

And to show the figures

Sorry the information below isn't too clear, too much reflection. But it says the paintings were done between 1370 and 1450 and worked in tempera. During the Reformation the paintings were covered with a lime wash which helped to preserve them.

The font and another wall painting just visible

View down the Nave to the decorated Rood Screen

and closer

 The Last Supper carving behind the altar

  

There are several good stained glass windows.

 

 

The workings of the old church clock are on show and above are the arms of Charles II which were altered during the reign of Queen Ann but then changed back during the C19.

 The key to this ancient iron bound chest was lost for years but when opened it was found to contain a rare pyx veil or cloth (the pyx was a receptical that held the the sacrament above the altar)

 

Below is a life size photo because the original went to the British Museum

In the churchyard I saw this..........Remains of a cross maybe?

As usual there are lots and better photos on Simon Knott's Suffolk Churches website Here

 Back Tomorrow

Sue