St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Gosberton
The Corbels
The wooden framework of the sloping roof of the South Aisle includes the load-bearing trusses. These rest on protruding stone brackets called Corbels. Our medieval forebears were not to be content with creating unimaginative brackets. It was an opportunity for the stonemasons to showcase their craftsmanship and imagination, turning this utilitarian architectural features into decorative masterpieces. Each bears a unique design: they are stylised human and animal figures – some quite grotesque – as well as some that feature foliage designs. Common subjects such as religious iconography, folklore, foliage, or animals can be found in church architecture across the country. Many historians have speculated over the years as to whether these were symbolic, i.e. designed to portray messages to the viewer, or simply left to the whim of the stonemason. Nonetheless, today we can appreciate them simply for their craftsmanship.
The Roof Bosses
Admire, too, the 18 wooden roof bosses – the decorative ‘knobs’ at the intersections of the roof beams (though some are partially obscured by roof trusses). Most of these are foliate designs, except two winged figures, and one a set of crossed keys (the symbol of St. Peter).
The term ‘boss’ probably derives from the Old French ‘boche’, meaning ‘swelling’ or ‘bump.’ Roof bosses first appeared in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066, but they became increasingly popular from the late twelfth century onwards. Here in the south aisle of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, the bosses predominantly depict foliage; though one features a human figure. Like the corbels, no two are alike.
How old is the wooden structure of the roof?
The roof was replaced as part of the major renovation work undertaken in the church in the 1860s, so the craftsmanship on display is attributable to Victorian carpenters, but with a nod to, and respect for, their medieval predecessors.
Such symbolic carvings – whether of wood or stone – feature throughout the church, in different architectural features. Visitors could spend a good couple of hours finding them all and drawing their own conclusions as to what each might represent.
