St James - Brassington, Derbyshire - Medieval Churches on Waymarking.com

"St James’ Church sits high on the side of a hill overlooking Brassington village, overlooking its narrow streets and fine old buildings. The view from the church porch is worth the climb, and once you go inside there is much to see.

It is essentially a Norman church with a fine south arcade of three bays, south chancel aisle of two bays, a later north aisle, and a Norman tower. The south porch is 13th century as proved by its outer doorway.

Like the church itself the font is of Norman origin (between 1066 to approx 1200 AD). It was originally built into the south wall, but was given a new base and moved to its current location when the church was restored and enlarged in Victorian times.

The church was expanded and partially rebuilt in 1880. The north aisle with its marble columns is a product of this work, as is the wall behind the altar with its rose window.

One of the features of the Chancel (the area containing the choir stalls and altar) is the Jacobean oak Bishops Chair carved with the arms of the Cavendish family, the painted Royal Coat of Arms. It is unusual for its large size and the fact that it was not over painted with the arms of the new monarch after the death of George III. In the Lady Chapel there is a painting of Jesus is believed to be the work of a local craftsman (who may also have painted the Coat of Arms in the Chancel). It was rediscovered in a pile of junk at the back of the church. Architecturally, the Lady Chapel is distinctive in that it is most unusual to find a chancel with an aisle.

The arcading in the South Aisle here, together with the Tower, represent the main original elements of the building, dating back to Norman times. Look out for the characteristic round Norman arches, the massive stone columns and the simple but vigorous carving of the capitals above the columns. On one of the capitals, you will see that a shell is incorporated in the design. This is a symbol of St James, Patron Saint of this church. The windows above the arcade are probably sixteenth century, and suggest that the height of the roof was increased at that time.

Looking upwards and into the church from the porch you can see two non-Christian decorative features. Above the door on the outside wall is a carving of a man’s head – possibly some sort of “Green Man” or fertility symbol. Inside the door is a carved corbel. Although indistinct the carving is of a “mooning” man (or devil?) and suggests that our medieval forbears were more broadminded than us about what is suitable decoration for a church."

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Building Materials: Stone

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