THE SCULPTED CORBELS  IN THE SOUTH AISLE

The roof beams in the south aisle are held on 8 stone corbels, 4 on each side. These corbels are 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. We are indebted to Professor Jean Givens for examining the illustrations of these sculptures and and giving her assessment.

1 Hawthorn leaves above, hawthorn leaves  and flower below.

2 Vine leaves and grapes and ears of corn above. Five lobed hawthorn foliage below with hawthorn hips.

3 Hawthorn leaves and flower above and below.

4 Roses above, hawthorn leaves and flower below.
The rose is a modern high-centered variety, not the flatter variety of medieval  times. There are no thorns, possibly to represent the Virgin Mary who was a  "rose without a thorn".

5 Hawthorn leaves above and below.

6 Oak leaves above, hawthorn leaves below.

7 Oak leaves above, oak leaves and acorns below

8  Bunches of grapes and grape leaves above, hawthorn leaves below.

The corn and grapes of corbels 2 and 8 symbolize bread and wine and are positioned at the east end by the piscina in the south wall where there was an  altar  in earlier times.

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