Braunston

This figure lies in the churchyard of All Saints church in Braunston, Rutland and is commonly referred to as “The Goddess”. The church website ¹ refers to the carving as a “Shelagh”. The stone on which the carving resides was used as a doorstep until the 1920’s when it was uprooted and the carving found on the underside. (for another carving found face down see Llandrindod Wells) The church has been much altered over the years but still retains a romanesque doorway

The figure

The figure consists of head with two eyes with a pronounced eyebrow ridge. The only remaining eye has a drilled pupil and it would seem reasonable to assume the other also did. There is considerable damage to the left side of the head but the remnants of the other eye remain and more unusually a second “nose” is also present. Below the eyes is a large open mouth with what appears to be a tongue. Deeply carved striations appear on both sides of sides of the figure with an almost “concertina” effect. Underneath these striations appear to be fairly pert breasts, however the right one is damaged is damaged. Whereas the figure is quite unusual it would not look out-of-place with other sculpture from the medieval period. The striations, large rubbery mouth and drilled eyes can all be found on other pieces of sculpture. While the nature of the carving is very much different the striations and rubbery mouth with tongue can be found on a corbel at Kilpeck. Striations are also a fairly common feature in later monstrous church sculpture. The double nose is somewhat more unusual though. According to the book Public Sculpture of Leicestershire by Terry Cavanagh the damage to the left nipple happened in 1999.

Is this a sheela na gig?

Due to the lack of genitalia though we would have to discount this as a sheela na gig. Saying that it does appear to be medieval in style IMHO. There is a tradition of the figure being refered to as a sheela though. It is also mentioned in the Victoria County History for Rutland.

John Harding

1 http://www.acny.org.uk/venue.php?V=10834 Accessed 18 November 2007

All photographs courtesy Robert Miller, copyright Robert Miller

Monster head with concertina like striations and large rubbery mouth and tongue. Kilpeck Herefordshire.

The Braunston Figure - length view — The Braunston Figure – full length view

The Braunston Figure Repaired – Artists impression.

This is an artist’s impression of what the carving may have looked like originally. The remnants of the left eye and double nose can still be seen on the original figure.

A side view of the figure. Note the striations on the side behind the damaged breast and the remains of the second "nose" and eye. — A side view of the figure. Note the striations on the side behind the damaged breast and the remains of the second “nose” and eye.

Wikipedia article on the figure
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braunston-in-Rutland

Braunston at British History on line
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66196
Mentions the figure as a sheela na gig

Bob Trubshaw’s article on the figure
http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/edge/braunstn.htm

Location

Directions

Lower Swell

The Figures

The church of St Mary’s at Lower Swell in the Cotswolds contains a fine norman archway which holds a crude Sheela Na Gig and and a possible exhibitionist male.
The figure is to be found on the left side of the arch. The figure has a large head and left hand points to a small but definite cavity between the legs (see right). There are many other carvings including a hare and what appears to be a man battling with snakes. In addition to the sheela on the arch there also appears to be an exhibitionist male figure on a pillar on the left of the arch (below). The figure does not have clearly defined genitals but there does seem to be some suggestion of something there as you can see. This is another example of the difference in degree of exhibitionism seen in Romanesque carvings. While this figure lacks the overt exhibitionism of say Kilpeck it nevertheless has had a small vulva carved and even seems to be indicating to it in much the same way as the Oaksey example.

The male figure also seems to have inscribed ribs, a feature normally though not exclusively ascribed to sheelas. The pillar opposite the male figure shows some sign of defacing or is unfinished so there is a possibility that another figure originally faced the male figure. (See right).

The church itself is quite small but boasts some rich carving. There are corbel heads on the outside of the church which are very reminiscent of Kilpeck. The connection to Herefordshire carvings is further borne out by the tympanum above the front door which depicts a tree motif, usually referred to as “The Tree of Life”. Tympana bearing trees are a feature of the Dymock School in South Herefordshire. However the tree is not a particularly well carved specimen unlike the Herefordshire and Dymock examples. In addition to the tree a bird is depicted eating the tree’s single fruit. In his book “The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Scupture” Malcom Thurlbury suggests an origin for this tree motif from the medieval “Bestiary” which he cites as an often used source for church sculpture.

“The perindens is a tree found in India; the fruit of this tree is very sweet and pleasant, and doves delight in its fruit and live in the tree, feeding on it. The dragon, which is the enemy of doves, fears the tree because of it’s shade in which the doves rest and it can approach neither tree nor shadow.”1 The Bestiary then goes on to give a religious interpretation of the various symbols in the passage and how they relate to Christian practice. As we can see from the above quote it is obvious that the sculptor took his inspiration from the above passage. In addition to the tree motif the tympanum is also bordered by a repeated X cross pattern which also associated with other churches of Marches2

SheelaLowerSwell05 — Male Exhibitionist Figure?

SheelaLowerSwell04 — The Tree of Life Tympanum

Location

Directions

Gloucester

This piece known as T22 is kept in Gloucester Museum, and belongs to the oldest backgammon set know to exist (c. 1085 – 1130), and was excavated from Gloucester Castle (Commercial Street, Gloucester)in 1983. It is on display in its own case in the archaeological section of the museum. With fragments of the board, there are a total of 30 pieces made of some form of bone, or horn. The pieces represent months of the year, a variety of Zodiac sings including Virgo, Sagittarius, also a Sphinx, Elephant, Two Birds, Wolf, St Michael, David, A Hanged Man, Gathered, Tumblers, Lovers, Serpent, Tress-puller, Dancer, Juggler, Samson and Lion, Musician with rebec, a Toad, and our figure labelled ‘Annus – The Year’. It is claimed some pieces defy interpretation. Quite a few are damaged by years in the soil, and rodent gnawing, like our figure but others such as February are in mint condition.

The Gloucester City Museum web site identifies the possible link of this piece to exhibitionists. They suggest the pose is generally called a ‘caccans’ because of the squatting position, but another name for a figure with sexually explicit characteristics is a Sheela na Gig. It has been suggested that a few other pieces in this table set, the dancer, lovers, and juggler could also be exhibitionist.

Text and photograph by Keith Jones.

Image used by permission of Gloucester City Museum.

A very similar figure to this one is carved on one of the central roundels at Autun in France.
This figure is in a better state of preservation and while being splay legged is not exhibitionist.

John Harding

Location

Directions

Paul

The following text is by Keith Jones

John Harding was informed of two figures in the Parish Church of St Pol de Leon. This church is found in the village of Paul, 3 miles south of Penzance. Although the foundation of the church is 12 century, most of the church dates to 16th – 17th century. The oldest part of the existing church is the early 15th century tower. The informant reported:

‘The genital area of these figures being large in relative size of the rest of this figure

A child who looked at the figure with binoculars delightfully described it ‘A lady with pasties in her hand.’

Both the figures are isolated, and positioned like a gargoyle, on top of the 86 foot tower, on the southeast corner, and north east corner. The height of the south east figure combined with the narrow road at this point presented difficulties in observing the figure. Although the figure is weathered, and covered in lichen most of the features are discernible, but some subjective interpretation is inevitable. The head is large, with big ears, a hooked nose, sunken eyes, and a broad smile. The narrow arms come to rest at the lower abdominal area, and the figure has no legs. There is a rather bold circular raised circle on the abdomen, rising to just below the chin of the figure, which may suggest the genitals. The lower middle of the circle has a hole which may indicate the vagina. Although the hands are small, it appears as if the right hand has very long and disjointed fingers, with one digit pointing to the middle of the circle. The fingers of the left hand seem smaller but they cover the lower part of the genital circle.

The other figure is found high on the north east corner of the tower. Overall this figure is very faded, but seems to have very broad fore arms which come to rest on the lower abdominal area but no genitals are evident. In comparison, the upper arms of this figure are much narrower, suggesting the cartoon character Popeye. It appears as if the spindly legs are straddling a quoin stone on which the figure sits. Although the facial features are faded, it has a good head of hair.

There is no mention of these figures in the church literature. Anthony Weir who have seen the photographs is of the opinion:

‘I think the Paul figure comes under the category of “grotesques”; it is quite possible that – like a lot of gargoyles and roof-level carvings – it is a sort of jeu d’esprit carved in a flamboyant and ambiguous style which allows the distant viewer’s imagination to roam.’

‘Certainly not what could with any conviction be called a Sheela’.

Text and Photographs by Keith Jones

South Tawton

The Figure

This figure is reported in C.P.J. Cave’s book ‘Roof Bosses in Medieval Churches’ . Of all Cave’s reported Sheela Na Gig figures South Tawton is probably the best candidate for actually being a sheela. The figure has been described as headless but as you can see from the above photograph the head is bent upwards. Unusually for a female exhibitionist the figure is made from wood. There appears to be a cross marked on the figures chest originally I thought this was down to cracking but after having visited the figure it appears to be deliberate scratching (see below). The figure also has two breasts lightly scratched on the chest which are faintly visible in the photograph. There appears to be a vaginal cavity with a small round ball beneath the opening. Without having seen the figure I thought this may have represented a ball of dung. As it turns out the pellet is in fact the head of a very large nail. This would seem to negate the “man at stool” interpretation of the figure. Two other nails can be seen near the elbows of the figure As Cave is a source for this figure I’m inclined to be suspicious but of all his figures this one is the most “sheela” like.

SheelaSouthTawtonCrossAndBreasts — A Close up of the Chest

The lightly scratched breasts are more evident in this picture

A close up of the groin area clearly showing the definite cavity between the legs. Note the "dog leg" joints on the legs. This makes the figure less human an more animal. The "pellet" between the legs is in fact a large nail — A close up of the groin area clearly showing the definite cavity between the legs. Note the “dog leg” joints on the legs. This makes the figure less human an more animal. The “pellet” between the legs is in fact a large nail. Picture copyright Rachael Harding

Location

Directions

Stanton St Quintin

The Figure

The church of St Giles at Stanton St. Quintin is located in the county of Wiltshire it is a small unassuming village very near the M4 motorway. I learned about this Sheela from internet mailing list and found out that it had been published in The Haunted Landscape a book on Wiltshire folklore. When visiting the site it’s easy to see why this sheela has not been reported before. Situated high on the church tower it is nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding masonry. We were only able to find the carving with the help of the ex-vicar of the church John Morgan who very kindly showed us round.

The figure itself is quite unusual, (if anyone can tell what a usual sheela is I would be glad to hear from them). Firstly as it is situated high on the church tower almost out of sight and does not seem to be associated with doors or windows. It is interesting to note that the Oxford sheela occupied a similar position though. The figure is quite small with a large squat oval head. It’s hard to tell from the photograph but the top of head may have been cut off. There also appear to be two large trumpet like ears. It also appears to be holding two grooved sticks. It’s hard to distinguish what these “sticks” may be. The sheela is also unusual in that it seems to have four holes drilled into it. Two large ones around the genital and stomach area and two smaller holes drilled into the main body. This is similar to the Seir Kieran figure now in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

The figure is mentioned in the church guide but its height and position have probably kept it out of the gaze of most researchers.

Male or Female?
Once again we have to ask the question is this a sheela na gig? It lacks the overt unequivocal nature of the Kilpeck or Oaksey sheelas but what do those holes mean? Given that the holes are round were they used as socket for a phallus? The positioning of the holes would suggest that one position is meant for a flacid penis (pointing down) while the other is for an erect penis (pointing straight out). If this is the case then we have a male rather than female figure. The “breasts” however would seem to indicate that the figure is meant to be female. The lower hole could just be an exaggerated anus which can be seen on other figures like the one at Twywell.
The “ears” also appear to be fairly deep holes. Were these used to hold horns or antlers? The Seir Kieran sheela has similar holes on it’s head which some have argued have been used as sockets for this purpose. The smaller holes on the abdomen are more difficult to suggest a meaning for. All in all an enigmatic and puzzling figure.

Thanks to Richard Pederick for the use of the b&w picture of the sheela below.

Photo of the figure by Richard Pederick

SheelaStanton05 — Worn Romanesque figure of Christ set into the west wall

SheelaStanton06 — Romanesque Heads on a column in the Church

The church also has a number of carvings dotted around the structure most striking of these is the pillar heads on the back door to the church. Both pillars are topped by identical pillar swallowing heads with ornately carved headdresses.

For more information on column swallowers see Anthony Weir’s website.

Location

Directions

Clevedon

This figure can be found in at the Church of St Andrews in Clevedon, North Somerset. The church is thought to date from the 12th century but has been added to over the years. There is some doubt over the date of the foundation with several dates possible from 1090-1170. The masonry however is late Norman. The tower was originally short and quite stubby and was raised to its present height in the 17th century. There is a rich corbel table surrounding the tower (see below) with each corbel being carved. However the carvings are now so worn as be almost indistinguishable from the ground. The variation in carving can be seen from the different outlines of the corbels. Despite the number of carvings on the church nothing has been published on them ¹. The majority of the carvings are heads which can be found in double, treble and janiform styles. One corbel is very abstract and it’s very hard to tell what it is meant to represent.

The alleged sheela figure can be found on the right hand side of the church as you walk in through the main gate. It is one of a number of corbels (see below for examples) which are just above head height under the eaves of the church roof. The figure hold a foot in each hand in an acrobatic position which is very similar to a figure in Lower Swell. There are no immediate genitals visible but there is a small cleft in the middle of the groin and there also appears to be the remains of a large cigar shaped area of stone immediately in between the legs. This could indicate that the carving has been defaced at some time. If this was originally a vulva then it would be similar in relative size to the Oaksey Sheela however it could equally be a mega-phallic male. Unfortunately it is now too worn to be sure either way.

Is this a sheela na gig?

The truth of the matter is it’s impossible to tell. Romanesque sculpture includes both splay legged exhibitionist figures and non exhibitionist splay legged figures. For example the figure at Rock church in Worcestershire is splay legged and impaled on something. While the it is suggestive it is not overtly exhibitionist. A number of the
capitals in Anselms Crypt in Canterbury Cathedral are also non exhibitionist splay legged figures. Unfortunately this figure will have to be filed under “maybe”.

Location

Directions

Rock

The Figure

Location : ///stance.siesta.lunges

Directions

This near exhibitionist figure is to found in the Church of St Peter and St Paul Rock a few mile north-west of Worcester. The figure’s legs are splayed and held apart by the arms in a very sheela like pose. Saying that there is little to indicate the sex of the figure, though from what appears to be a headdress the overall impression is that of a female figure. In addition to this there is a pillar or possible phallus between it’s legs this could possibly be part of the snake or even a “stool”. The figure is intertwined with a serpent figure with what looks to be a bird’s head (this may just be a medieval style of representing snake heads) and could be an example of a femme aux serpents figure. See Images of Lust for examples. While the figure lacks the overt exhibitionist nature of the sheela-na-gig there are undeniable sexual elements to it. Malcom Thurlby the author of the ‘The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture’ describes the figure as exhibitionist ¹ and also mentions an abstract exhibitionist figure on the corbel table above the main door (see below). Bizarrely he compares this figure to the Sheela-na-gig at Kilpeck. The figure appears to be an animal head with two paws (arms?) either side and a grooved tongue protruding between them. Faint eyes are evident at the top of the figure.

Interestingly both he and Professor Zarnecki ² ascribe the carving on the chancel arch, which includes the exhibitionist figure, to the Aston Master of the Herefordshire School who was also responsible in part for the carving at Kilpeck.

The Village of Rock

The village of Rock or Ake does not appear in the Domesday book but may be identified with the two berewicks Kiddiminster called Ribbesford. In the past Rock was once more important than it is today. In 1328 Henry de Ribbesford had a grant of a weekly market and a yearly fair on the feast of St Margaret. A now destroyed manuscript at Stanford Court records that “here was anciently a large town fit for receit, it may seem to have been a mercat”. The commercial importance of Rock is further borne out by the quality of the carving in the church which is said to rank with the best work in the county.

1 The Herefordshire School of Romanesque Art. Malcom Thurlbury.
2 Later English Romanesque Sculpture 1140-1210 Prof. George Zarnecki
3 Victoria County History A History of the County of Worcester: volume 4 (British History Online)

The position of figure on chancel arch (red arrow)

Horse head with knotwork capital.

Bizarre goggle headed corbel

An abstract exhibitionist?

Location

Directions

Llanhamlach

The Figures

Llanhamlach is a small village approximately 4 miles to the east of Brecon in Powys S.Wales. The church of St.Peter in the village contains the Ioannis Moridic stone pictured on the left. It is thought to be no later than the 11th century and there is also some conjecture that the stone that it could be two or three centuries earlier. There is a latin inscription on the right hand edge which reads IOHANNIS / MORIDIC SUREXIT HUNC LAPIDEM which is thought to mean “Moridic erected this stone”. There is a marked space and slash between the IOHANNIS and MORIDIC. According to a sign on the church SUREXIT is thought to be an error on the part of the sculptor who had an incomplete grasp of Latin. The IOHANNIS is thought to be part of another inscription which is now lost. What is most intriguing about the stone is the two figures carved either side of the decapitated cross. Both appear to have “penises” peeking from beneath their garments yet the right hand figure also appears to have breasts with “rays” emanating from them possibly indicating milk. Both figures hold their hands in the air and the right hand figure also appears to have “earrings” i.e. circles either side of the head. The stone appears in the 1876 book “Lapidarium Walliae” by J.O. Westwood who identifies the figures as Adam and Eve under the tree of knowledge and the Virgin Mary and St John standing beside the cross in turn. Interestingly no mention is made of the possible “penises” and the illustration in the book omits them altogether. Another example of the Victorian bowdlerisation of carvings which also happened to the Kilpeck figure.
You may also want to compare the carvings on this stone with the Three Disgraces at Burford church. The middle figure is carved in a similar manner with a “penis” peeking from beneath a shift. It’s very hard to say what this stone is meant to represent with it’s confusion of sexual symbolism.

Location

Directions

Darley Dale

Photography copyright Charles Wildgoose used with permission

The Figure

This figure is approximately three miles west of Haddon Hall in the village of Darley Dale. The type of figure is almost identical in style if not execution to the acrobatic style figure in the stables at Haddon Hall. The legs are held high in the air while the buttocks or sexual organs are held apart by the hands. The figure either is wearing a cap or has a head of hair in a “pudding basin” style cut. Though the face of the figure is weathered you can still just make out the eyes and mouth and what appears to be a protruding tongue.

Is this a Sheela na Gig?

Initially I was inclined to describe the figure as a sheela due to it’s similarity and proximity to the Haddon Hall figure. However it is very weathered and could equally be an anus shower or indeed simply a non exhibitionist acrobat. The figure can be found inside a modern extension to the church which houses what was once one of the main doors to the church. It occupies a central position on the keystone of the arch. It is the style of arch which dates from the Tudor period which seems to indicate a much later date for this figure. However we must be careful using the arch as dating evidence. As can be seen in the photograph above the figure appears to have been cemented onto the keystone. A small ridge of mortar can be seen directly below the figure and another ridge of mortar can be seen above the figure’s right shoulder. The church history goes back to pre-conquest days and the remains of Saxon knotwork and Norman masonry can still be found in the walls. This begs the question is this a reused 12th century figure? The style of the figure could well date from the 12th century however the figure could equally be contemporary with the arch. It’s worth noting that the nearby Alderwasley figure is associated with Tudor chapel which has a similar archway. Unfortunately there is doubt as to whether either of these figures is a sheela na gig. Again due to weathering we cannot be exactly sure.
There are many old gravestones in churchyard and not a few empty stone coffins. One of the table tombs which is said to house the remains of a weaver is strangely decorated with a pentagram, Star of David and the tools of the weavers trade (See below). There is also an ancient yew purportedly being 2000 years old although there is some doubt about it true age.

The church is usually locked but access can be gained by phoning the church warden or the Rector whose telephone numbers can be found on the door of the church.

My thanks go to Mrs D.Church for taking the time to show me around the church at such short notice.

SheelaDarleyDale02 — The figure’s position on the keystone of a Tudor style arch

The "Weavers Tomb" in the churchyard one end has a five pointed star whlile the other has a six pointed Star of David. The carvings on the side of the tomb are thought to be representations of tools used in the weaving trade. — The “Weavers Tomb” in the churchyard one end has a five pointed star whlile the other has a six pointed Star of David. The carvings on the side of the tomb are thought to be representations of tools used in the weaving trade.

A lion sculpture near the above figure. Photograph copyright Charles Wildgoose used with permission — A lion sculpture near the above figure.
Photograph copyright Charles Wildgoose used with permission

Location

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Ambiguous

Braunston

The figure

Is this a sheela na gig?

Location

Lower Swell

The Figures

Location

Gloucester

Location

Paul

South Tawton

The Figure

Location

Stanton St Quintin

The Figure

Location

Clevedon

Is this a sheela na gig?

Location

Rock

The Figure

The Village of Rock

Location

Llanhamlach

The Figures

Location

Darley Dale

The Figure

Is this a Sheela na Gig?

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