Shobdon Arches

SHOBDON CP SHOBDON PARK SO 46 SW

5/63 Shobdon Arches (Formerly listed as 11.6.59 Romanesque Arches in Shobdon Park)

• II

Eyecatcher, formerly part of church. Early C12, relocated in mid-C18. Sandstone ashlar. Former chancel arch in centre flanked by two arches breaking back on each side. Central arch: a distorted semi-circular arch with C18 pediment pierced by a quatrefoil and with two C18 crocketted pinnacles. Arch of three orders, much eroded, the inner and outer with chevron ornament, middle order has a roll flanked by an arrow-head ornament. The label is enriched by an arcaded ornament. Responds each have three engaged shafts, to left (west) scrolls and birds to outer, pairs of human figures, set in interlace in middle, scrolled inrichment to inner. Right-hand (east) respond outer shaft has rings connected by grotesque heads enclosing doves, middle has winged monsters in interlaced vine-ornament, inner respond shaft is lost. Capitals of outer shafts survive and hve Dragons within interlace. Outer arch to right-hand (east) side of centre is semi-circular, of three orders the inner with roll moulding, the outer with a scrolled bank terminating in a grotesque head to the left. The middle order is carved with a series of animals and human figures, perhaps signs of the Zodiac. Responds each have two engaged shafts and an outer order with chevron enrichment. Capitals include dragons and human figures. The left-hand outer arch is broadly similar in design. Arch immediately to right of centre has a tympanum bearing a Christ in Majesty, to left of centre another tympanum with a very eroded Harrowing of Hell. Much of the detail has been weathered. The large arch was the chancel arch, and others (with the separated tympana) were the doorways. Scheduled as an Ancient Monument, County No 155. (BoE, pp 288-9, RCHM 3,p 179-180).

Listing NGR: SO4006663253