Herefordshire School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Herefordshire School is a name first given by Professor George Zarnecki to a hypothetical group of master-masons working in modern Herefordshire and Worcestershire in the twelfth century A.D. Their distinctive Romanesque sandstone and limestone carvings are to be found in several parish churches in the area, most notably Kilpeck, but also Eardisley, Shobdon and Castle Frome in Herefordshire, and Rock, Worcestershire. Their work draws on a variety of cultural sources for its religious and mystical images; Norman military figures, Saxon animals and Celtic abstract patterns combine to create a unique and beautiful synthesis. Despite its overtly religious nature, Herefordshire School work also has a playful, occasionally bawdy approach.