GLORIOUS GARGOYLES AND GORGEOUS GROTESQUES

186 PICTURES NOW UPLOADED.

Thank you for taking a look at my web site of images taken of gargoyles, grotesques and Death's Head Stones, taken whilst visiting churches,

Since September 2006, I have been visiting churches and taking photographs for my main web site, Robs Churches. A link to that site can be found by clicking on the link at the foot of the page.

I am located in Peterborough, and photograph in that area, as well as South Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire, Rutland, East Northants and Norfolk.

Since starting to photograph churches I have become very interested in the gargoyles and grotesques that are often to be found in these churches.

The idea behind this web site is just to have somewhere to store all of these kinds of photographs together. Many of the photographs will have appeared in my main web site, but this second site will also give me the opportunity to share a few other pictures that would otherwise have remained unseen.

Photographs will also be included from fellow local photographer Chris Stafford

Some of the creatures depicted.....but only a very few....could be termed as being cute, such as the sleepy baby dragon like creature pictured at the top right of this page, that can be found over the porch at Exton in Rutland. Not so cute is the dog with bared fangs,laid back ears and wide eyed stare from Luddington In The Brook, Northants.

Also pictured on this page, opposite left, a creature slithers down a wall at Thursford, Norfolk, whilst below....well, when you've got to go, you've got to go!!! A superb gargoyle from Folkingham in South Lincolnshire.

Below that, the grotesque in need of a shave, with four fearsome looking teeth comes from Hamerton close to Huntingdon, with the Owl like creature with the surprised expression to the right of that coming from Ingoldsby in South Lincs

Pictured below the Owl, relatively modern looking, and with an evil glint in his eye, this fellow is one of two grotesques that can be found at South Luffenham in Rutland.

in the pages of this site you will see the art, skill and imagination of the stonemason expressed. You will see strange bird like creatures, some with feathers and some with scales. You will see human effigies, nearly all of whom are in sore need of a good dentist. You will see the famous "Mooning" Gargoyle of Glinton who expresses his discontent by exposing his backside in the direct line of Peterborough Cathedral.

You will see a wide variety of creatures stricking out their tongues and exposing their rears.

This is my tribute to the stonemasons, some of whom have been passed over hundreds of years ago, whose work and imagination still lives on today for us to enjoy.

This website will also have a small section devoted to stonemason's symbolism of man's mortality. Photographs will be included of gravestones with skulls on them, known as Deaths Head Stones. These will very often be accompanied by an hour glass, to denote the passing of time. Sometimes the skull will have wings, again to denote the passing of time.Often, human bones will accompany the skull.

Occasionally, Old Father Time will be present, with sometimes human skulls at his feet.

In some more "recent" gravestones the human skull is set at the side of a grieving widow.

Close up sections of monuments will also be included where man's mortality is symbolised. Morbid, yes certainly, but fascinating stuff for those interested.

PETERBOROUGH CHURCHCRAWLER