Limestone statues from St. Mary’s Abbey, York; Moses, Unknow Apostle, St. James and St. John the Evangelist.
These larger than life statues were placed above the west entrance to the abbey church at St. Mary’s to awe and inspire visitors. Beautifully crafted and painted they are the finest surviving example of eleventh century sculpture in the country. The statues were discovered by Reverend Charles Wellbeloved in 1827. They had been unceremoniously laid face down in the ground as foundations stones when the church was later rebuilt.*
*From and information board next to the statues
Oh you hit pay dirt with this post I love medieval history and I love York, so I am well impressed that the good reverend accidentally discovered these treasures in 1827.
They are fabulous aren’t they
What a story and I am glad that the reverend dug them up and cleaned them well. Amazing that they are all in “one piece”.
It is surprising that they are still intact.
Those limestone statues are superb – it is great news that they were found.
I am amazing that they are so intact after being buried like that!
I bet they acted as great guards.
It would be great to see them as they were when in their original situation.
One has to wonder at the minds of those who would use such art as stones in a foundation trench. But rather than speculate about those folk way back when, perhaps we could ask today’s wreckers who are busy tearing the social, legal, religious, educational et al fabric apart and burying it under manure to grow drug crops.
History repeats itself, we never learn from our past mistakes, it is a continuous cycle fo dark ages followed by enlightenment.
Imagine meeting that lot on a dark night.
With Moses radiating the glory of God, it wouldn’t be that dark
Wonderful, CP. St Mary’s was once so wealthy – wasn’t it the richest abbey in England at one time? Those statues are exquisite.
It was one of the richest Abbey’s
http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2011/12/02/st-marys-abbey/
Original link with the information seems to have disappeared.