Did you know....

[Clicker]

Lychgates  were originally called Corpse gates.... Lych was a medieval word   for a corpse .... iIt sounds  a bit macabre but  the roofed   gateway was really part of the church. It was where the clergy met the corpse and the coffin or shrouded corpse  was placed there  while part of the service was read before burial. It also served to shelter the pall-bearers . Some are beautifully carved.. This one is just down the road in the  village of Ombersley at  St Martin's Church ... I t had been a lovely afternoon  when these dark clouds suddenly appeared and  it grew very dark !

[Brian]

Great sky, Polly. It looks almost like a pastel.

I'd like my coffin bearers to shelter in a porch like that...............but not just yet!

[Black Pearl]

Cool - isn't there something about them being to do with tithes as well?

[FUJI]

17 minutes ago, Black Pearl said:

Cool - isn't there something about them being to do with tithes as well?

Yes BP.........Men should always wear Tithes at a wedding.?

A great pic, love one that has history to it.....thanks Polly.

 

FUJI

[Clicker]

Thanks for the comments folks ...not sure what the link is to Tythes Beepy...( I see Fuji has developed a lisp ...  )   I've started collecting pics of Lych gates ...some are extremely ornate  so if you have a pic of one feel free to post it here.

  I had to get a really low angle to accommodate the steeple Judy...   But just used that  articulated screen to frame the pic holding at arms length just above the stone floor... If I d been on my knees ..I'd still be there I think .It  was a bit easier taking the other pic* through the gap at the side of the gate. 
*posted yesterday in the one a day challenge .

[Black Pearl]

I seem to recall being told they had something to do with or were used when the peasantry paid their tithes each year - can't find a current reference but it sticks in my mind from being a kid.

The church in our village has one so I'll get down the next day or so and take a picture.

[Clicker]

Oooer yes please Judy  ..that would be lovely .. S'Nice to know where it is too. So thanks for that .     Looks like there had been a wedding the way that gate had been decorated Judy ...

Appreciate that too Beepy ...kind of you to take the trouble ... I've collected pics of interesting doors for years so this is a bit of an extension of that I think .  What a nice bunch of peeps you lot are .... 

[Clicker]

Not all of them have seats Ron .Thank you so much for taking those ,,and nice that I got  a view of the church too. That's really thoughtful of you Ron ...Thank  you so much for going to the trouble of  taking that  for me.. Any more that you see in your travels ... think of me 

[Black Pearl]

There we go...

Click on image for best viewing experience...

[Clicker]

Aw Thank you Beepy ... that's terrific too ... did you open the  gate to let the sun out ... and I love the name of the file ... even though it isn't a boat ... Brilliant  Thanks again ... Very much appreciated  . It's a lovely  study.

[Black Pearl]

The gate was left open when I got there and I just left it for the sun coming through - hoped you'd spot the name 

[JohnP]

The Church of St Mary the Virgin at Eardisland near Leominster, Herefordshire.

 

[Clicker]

Thanks for that one too John ... I 'm pretty sureI have visited that church  maybe Fifteen years ago... But I don't have a photo of the Lychgate ... Thanks for  looking through your files for me ... I hope it didn't stop you for too long ... from your decorating  jobs i wonder if that was a vicar  heading towards you on his bike ?   I think it's a lady Vicar  now .

Its a very pretty place I do remember ...not that far from Pembridge,  a real Black and White village .. Thanks again John .

[colinb]

22 hours ago, Clicker said:

 I've started collecting pics of Lych gates ...some are extremely ornate  so if you have a pic of one feel free to post it here.

Lichgates are quite common around these parts Polly, even the entrance to the church yard where my Grandfather is buried has one. It is a loverly old church built during the Norman period and next time I am over that way I will take a couple of pictures for you. We also have numerous churches with a simple metal hoop/arch at the entrance gate, many with a single light dead centre.