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The
Parish of Astley |
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Choir Stalls (14th-15th Century) These stalls date from the 14th or 15th centuries during
the time of the collegiate church and are believed to be unique. Originally
there would have been a set of twelve on each side of the church. Remarkably
two sets of nine have survived. Behind each stall is a painted panel, those
on the north side depict apostles whilst on the south side prophets are
shown. Each figure carries a scroll which would originally have contained a
sentence from the creed, however these were overpianted in 1624 with sentences from the Psalms and
Gospels. Each of the stalls is fronted with an arch supported by
slender pillars which rest on the arms of the seat. The seats themselves each
have a misericord
which is carved with the figure of a wild boar, bird or other animal. Above
the arches the cornice is painted with vine leaves and grapes.
The Apostles depicted are believed to be (from left to
right in the picture above) Peter, John, Simon, Matthew, Matthias, Philip,
James the Less, Thomas, and James the Greater. Not all of the prophets have
been successfully identified, however in the above picture (from right to
left), the first four are unknown then Oseas, Amos
Joel, unknown, and Malachi (not visible above). |
