THE SCULPTED CORBELS  IN THE CHANCEL

The roof beams in the chancel are held on eight stone corbels. These are all sculpted into plant designs. They are pictured here numbered 1 (top right) to 8  (top left) in sequence  starting at the east end of the south wall and ending at the east end of the north wall. The style is not mediaeval and we can deduce that these corbels were made and put in during the 1875 restoration when all the roof timbers were replaced. 

1   Ears of corn and bunches of grapes with vine leaves. These symbolising the bread and wine of the Holy Communion at the altar below.

2  Oak leaves. 

3 Flowerheads like lilies.

4 Hawthorn leaves

5 Hawthorn leaves, flowers and hips

6 Hawthorn leaves, flowers and hips

7 Acanthus leaves.

8  Ears of corn and bunches of grapes with vine leaves. These symbolising the bread and wine of the Holy Communion at the altar below.

 The plants on these and the corbels in the north and south aisles all have religious symbolism. The ears of corn and grapes symbolise the bread and wine and they are located where, at the time the corbels were put up, there were altars as shown by the piscina in the south wall of the east end of the chancel and south aisle. The other plants symbolize:-

 Rose  and lily  -  Virgin Mary

 Hawthorn  - the crown of thorns

 Oak   -  the wood for the cross

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