Image ID: 08810

Doorway, tomb and Easter Sepulchre in All Saints Church, Hawton, undated

Courtesy of Antoine

Newark Road
Hawton
England

The series of high quality and ornate 14th century carved features located in the north chancel of All Saints Church. From left to right they comprise: (1) An ogee doorway which would have once opened into either a vestry or more likely a now demolished chapel. (2) A knight's tomb, very probably that of Sir Robert de Compton, who died in 1330. He is believed to have been responsible for construction of the chancel circa 1320. The tomb is recessed within a richly decorated arch featuring carvings of a green man and two weepers, and is surmounted by the mutilated figure of a bishop. Within the arch is a squint or hagioscope by which a priest in the now lost chapel could view the high altar. (3) Lastly, and most important of all is the Easter Sepulchre for which Hawton Church is renowned and which is often claimed to be the best example of its type in England. The purpose of the Sepulchre was to receive the consecrated Host on Good Friday and vigilantly watch over it until Easter morning. It would then be taken out and solemnly, to the singing of anthems, be carried to the high altar in order to symbolise the death and resurrection. Quite why such a small village as Hawton should have such a large church containing such high quality carvings (also of note are a sedilla and the East Window) is unclear. One theory is that the masons who built the chancel also worked at Southwell Minster and the intention was that Hawton would become a collegiate foundation.

Date: 1900 - 1999

Organisation Reference: NCCE002766

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