This was the view of Bakewell we saw in the slightly sun-gilded mist of a warm early afternoon as we walked along a public footpath just off the Monsal Trail close to Hassop Station. We weren't looking down on where we were going though - we were looking down on where we had spent the morning just mooching around - as you do.
We'd parked in the usual place over the river near the cattle market and instead of setting off into the town centre as we usually do we wandered up the hill towards the church and museum with the intention of visiting them both.
We'd been up here before and walked through the churchyard to the museum but had never been inside the church. I have to say it was fascinating!
In the entrance are loads of wonderful carved stones. The stones above are the Norse/Anglian stones some with the Northumbrian vine scroll pattern. The stones below are from the later medieval period dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Many are coffin tops but with no inscriptions some having symbols of their profession carved on them.
Inside there are several items of interest including a 14th century font declared 'The finest of its kind in the county' by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner.
Below is the Pre-Raphaelite window of the 'Adoration of the Lamb' designed in 1893 by Henry Holiday.
What interested me most were the tombs and monuments of the Vernon and Manners family from nearby Haddon Hall. We almost missed them as they are in what is known as the Newark or 'new work' an area which was added to the church during the 13th and 14th centuries. It now houses a small shop and cafe but beyond the tables and behind a 14th century oak screen we found them.
Above is the monument to Sir George Manners and his wife Grace who was founder of the Lady Manners School in the town. Below is a detail of one of the carvings from the monument above.
The tombs are of members of the Vernon family. The nearest to the front of the photo is the tomb of John Vernon who died in 1477 and behind are the tombs of Sir George Vernon who was known as 'King of the Peak' and his two wives.
On the far wall is the monument to Sir John Manners (d. 1611) and his wife Lady Dorothy Vernon (d. 1584). Of course the name of Dorothy Vernon is always linked with her alleged elopement with Sir John Manners and the bridge at Haddon Hall over which she escaped is known as Dorothy's bridge.
Apparently, according to the information leaflet, two of the figures of their four children were stolen, I don't know when.
Below some graffiti from the Vernon tombs - they were covered with initials and dates
I was fascinated by the details in the carvings showing the patterns on headdresses and ruffs.
Also in the colour still to be seen in the garments and furnishings.
Further details from the Vernon tombs - a little pet dog amongst the folds of the skirts of one of the wives
Outside leaning on the west wall are five sarcophagi found inside the church, some in the walls and some under the floor.
Below is a view of the church from the road up to the Old House Museum which I'll tell you about in my next post.
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