Dorset churches 4 - St.John the Baptist, Bere Regis

Ghostly outline of a Turberville

The church of John the Baptist dates back to the years before the Norman invasion. It has strong connections with Thomas Hardy whose novel, 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles,' hinges on the fate of Turbervilles who huddle together in the vaults below the church.

Supposed portrait of Cardinal Morton

Its chief glory though, is the magnificent medieval roof; a mixture of bold carved roof bosses and near life-sized carvings of the apostles.

It was given by Cardinal Morton in 1485, probably in memory of his parents. The roof is unique.  Stylistically though it has several parallels in Norfolk and to my eye, with the famous corbels of Norwich. Cathedral.

After looking up, look down; for on several of the pillars are medieval carvings which seem to contemporary thinking completely out of place in a church. Characters with toothache and a headache are among them.