|
Oakham is the church whose frieze has carvings so similar to those at Ryhall that the concept of the “Demon Carver” emerged in my mind. Those in question are numbers 1/1 - 1/5 and they are found on the west end of the north aisle. They should be compared with those at Ryhall.
The carvings on the south aspect of the south porch include a “scotty dog” (3/1) that we will arguably see again elsewhere, including nearby Langham. This is a distinctive set of carvings and includes a woman (?) (5/1) in a square headdress that is seen elsewhere, including Ryhall.
Oakham is where the “Mooning Men” first appeared on my travels and they are at 1/6 (clerestory) and 2/1 (south porch).
There is a huge number of frieze carvings at Oakham, covering most of both aisles, both sides of the clerestory, the tower and the south porch. I don’t really believe that one man could have been responsible for all these, or even that they were all done at one time. Some look more likely than others and some of the fleuron motifs look similar to those at Ryhall. Intriguingly, one of the photographs reveals the possibility of a four legged lizard (or a tortoise?) on the east clerestory, making a possible connection with nearby Langham, Whissendine and Cottesmore.
|
