John the Baptist

Saw this carved alabaster relief of Head of St John on silver salver (15th century), flanked by two angels, in The Fitzwilliam. Painted in red, brown and black and gilded. Probably made in Nottingham, and used for private devotion in a domestic setting (rather than forming part of an altarpiece).

The Fowl Market

 

 

"The Fowl Market" by Frans Snyders at The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

Interior

Jesus College Chapel ceiling

South window

Lincoln Madonna & Child

Lincoln Cathedral

Old Sacristy

Robing in Selby Abbey's Old Sacristy before our midday concert.

Selby Abbey

After Ripon, we headed to Selby Abbey for a midday concert.

"The church is one of the relatively few surviving abbey churches of the medieval period and although not a cathedral, it is one of the largest. It was founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069 and subsequently built by the de Lacy family.

On 31 May 1256, the abbey was bestowed with the grant of a mitre by Pope Alexander IV and from this date was a 'Mitred Abbey'. This privilege fell into abeyance a number of times, but on 11 April 1308, Archbishop William Greenfield confirmed the grant, and Selby remained a 'Mitred Abbey' until the Dissolution of the Monasteries." -- Wikipedia

Ripon Font

According to the North Yorkshire Council, the Tudor font in the Ripon Cathedral, was created in the early 16th century and carved out of a solid piece of granite taken from Lintzgarth in Teesdale. "In 2017 the wooden top can still be seen on the font. Originally, it would have had a chain attached via a metal hasp to provide a locking mechanism to prevent people from stealing the Holy water which was often appropriated by pagans and other sects for their own practices including sorcery."

Quiet

 

Had a few moments to explore Ripon Cathedral before heading down the hill to the cathedral's rehearsal hall. We served as the choir in residence for the weekend while the cathedral's regular choir was on break.

"Ripon Cathedral has a vibrant choral tradition that has spanned 14 centuries, since St Wilfrid introduced cantors from Canterbury Cathedral in AD680, and it remains at the heart of our worship. The uplifting sound of the cathedral’s outstanding choirs, as well as the dramatic notes of the mighty pipe organ, can be experienced at regular services such as Choral Evensong."

Crypt

Some oddities about Ripon Cathedral. I took this photo in the crypt below. Here's how one website describes it:

"Built in 672 by Saint Wilfrid, Ripon Cathedral’s Crypt predates England itself by 255 years, and it’s still accepting pilgrims and visitors today.

Accessed by steep and narrow steps, a claustrophobic and gloomy passageway winds underneath a medieval cathedral. This cramped tunnel leads to a white painted void, believed by its creators to be a faithful representation of Jesus’s modest tomb.

With an arched ceiling, a simple altar, and a 14th-century alabaster carving of the resurrection, the otherwise chilly emptiness of this simple whitewashed crypt disguises its rich historical significance.

Ripon's crypt, and the long-vanished basilica it was originally built beneath, were the first of their kind to be built in the Kingdom of Northumbria, a territory that once covered most of Northern England and part of Southern Scotland."

Ripon

First look at Ripon Cathedral, where we sang evensong and the next morning's Eucharist.

"The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral, and until 1836 known as Ripon Minster, is a cathedral in Ripon, North Yorkshire, England. Founded as a monastery by monks of the Irish tradition in the 660s, it was refounded as a Benedictine monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century, and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The present church is the fourth, and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. In 1836 the church became the cathedral for the Diocese of Ripon." -- Wikipedia

Wall Art

Last two images from St. John the Baptist's Church before I had to leave for rehearsal a few minutes later at St. Mary's.

St. John's Pulpit

 

 

Again, according to Wikipedia, the pulpit in St. John the Baptist's Church in Stamford "dates from 1953, and was donated by the restorers of the church at that time."

Ceiling

Only a small amount of St. John the Baptist's Church 12th-century fabric remains. According to Wikipedia, most of the interior of the church and the fittings are from the 15th century. "The roof of the nave is finely carved, including angels on the bosses."

Passiontide

 

 

St. John the Baptist's Church, Stamford, England

Holy Mother of Wisdom

Holy Mother of Wisdom by Caroline Mackenzie in the Julian Shrine's gift shop and information center.

Cloth of Kindness

I think many of us could use a cloth of kindness today.

Chapel Votive

Sometimes it's the smallest details that inspire. Like this votive candle. Such a common thing to see in a chapel. But to cradle it in such a beautifully wrought hanger yields something truly special. I can't help but think that Julian herself would have been most pleased.

Julian Madonna & Child

 

 

The Julian Shrine

Norwich, England

St.Julian's Font

 

 

The octagonal baptismal font in the St. Julian's Chapel in Norwich, according to Wikipedia, is "a replacement for the original one, which was lost when the church was bombed. The current font was moved from the now redundant All Saints' Church, Norwich in 1977. It has eight standing figures representing the Apostles, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint George, and two other saints."

 

Song of Mary

One of the pieces we sang at evensong in Norwich Cathedral was a setting of the Magnificat:

He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.