St Michael and All Angels – A Reformation Survivor

· by · in England, Norfolk. ·

Set in a tranquil corner of the Norfolk Broads, the Church of St Michael and All Angels in Barton Turf is a site of international historical significance, hidden behind a quiet lychgate and an avenue of lime trees.

Dating primarily from the 14th and 15th centuries, this Grade I listed church stands almost alone in the rural landscape. Its striking 15th-century tower features ornate sound holes and figures of the four evangelists as pinnacles. The interior is a light-filled space with wide aisles and medieval details, including a pillar piscina and bench ends with ancient carvings.

The Masterpiece: The Barton Turf Rood Screen

The true jewel of the church is its 15th-century rood screen, widely considered one of the finest surviving examples in England. While many screens were destroyed during the Reformation, Barton Turf’s screen has retained much of its original, vibrant colour.

The Nine Orders of Angels

What makes this screen unique is its rare and complete depiction of the celestial hierarchy, based on medieval angelology:

  • The First Hierarchy: Framing the central door are the most divine orders—the Seraphim(depicted radiant with red feathers and censers) and Cherubim (covered in golden feathers and many eyes).
  • The Middle Hierarchy: These include Powers (an angel in full plate armour subduing a devil with a chain), Virtues, and Dominations.
  • The Lower Hierarchy: These interact more closely with humanity, such as Principalities (holding a urine flask, a symbol of medical healing), Archangels, and Angels.

The Supporting Saints

Flanking the celestial host are four human saints, including St Apollonia, the patron saint of toothache, shown holding a molar with pincers, and St Barbara with her iconic tower.

A secondary parclose screen in the south aisle depicts four “saintly kings”: St Olave of Norway, Edward the Confessor, St Edmund, and Henry VI. This reflects the local pride and royal patronage of the late 15th century.

Whether you are an enthusiast of medieval art like me or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, a visit to St Michael and All Angels offers a rare window into the spiritual world of our ancestors.

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