A real hidden gem in Gloucestershire, the Church of the Holy Rood is on the edge of Daglingworth near Cirencester.
The church was first built during the late Anglo-Saxon era, probably during the reign of either Aethelraed the Unready or Cnut, and a set of sculpted reliefs from that time have survived in very good condition along with the original chancel arch. We have a three images of Christ, two of them crucifixion scenes, and a relief of St Peter holding his key. A resemblance here to Rodney Trotter from Only Fools and Horses is apparent but his bowl cut hairstyle is interesting.
These sculptures tell us quite a bit about late Anglo-Saxon hair and beard styles, as while Christ has that same bowl cut it is made up of shaggy strands, almost resembling braids. He has a short, neatly trimmed beard with a finely groomed moustache. While monks would have had a partially shaved tonsure style, the rest of society would not, and as king of kings Christ would have been given the smartest hair and beard style at the time.
I like the image of Christ seated on a bench, he appears calm and serene, perhaps he is dispensing a proverb or beatitude here. In the largest of the crucifixion plates he is stoic and firm, as during this era Christ was not depicted as suffering in pain, rather he was to appear strong and unbowed.
Elsewhere we have an Anglo-Saxon double window frame with a secret. It was actually a Roman altar stone and still bears a feint remnant of its original inscription. Near the entrance is a late 15th century font with a concealed green man/foliate head under the bowl. It is tiny, and has an odd, disturbed facial expression. A Saxon sun or mass dial is on the porch wall.
If you're in or passing through the Gloucestershire area then this church is a must-see, a little-known repository of history and heritage.
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