The Priory Church of St Mary and St Hardulph

 The Priory church of St Mary and St Hardulph is somewhere that I have known from childhood. Dominating the landscape for miles around, it sits astride Breedon-on-the-Hill, straddling the borders between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. It's commanding postion attracts all passing attention as it must have done for centuries.

Indeed, it shares this high spot with a beacon belonging to the national chain 

 a quilted machine embroidered panel hanging inside the church

360º views from the church grounds
The church has undergone several reincarnations over the centuries, but bits of the original Saxon and Norman church can still be seen. However, the greatest treasures, which have luckily survived its many vicissitudes, are the Anglo Saxon sculptures inside - Anglo Saxon sculptures are as rare as hen's teeth.
Simon Jenkins in his book England's Thousand Best Churches says 'they are perhaps the most impressive English figure sculptures of their time' and they have been described as the stone equivalent of the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Originally this hilltop was home to an Iron Age Fort constructed in 300 BC, but evidence of Stone Age man has also been found here in the shape of a polished axe dated to 1000 BC. In 675 a Saxon Benedictine Monastery was built within the fort, but Danish raiders, who sailed up the river Trent, destroyed the monastery in the c9th.

As we approached the entrance door I felt a sudden panic thinking that the church might indeed be locked due to the treasures within, but with a gentle twist of the handle we found ourselves inside. 

Simon Jenkins suggests that this carving appears to show a leg descending, but I see it representing two amphoras of wine, a fish, and the box possibly contains the host (bread)!

Influences from Celtic art can clearly be seen in the curious stone carved animal figures

this lion like figure with an owlish face is known as the 'Anglian Beast'

is this a cheeky little devil peeping out from a joint in the masonry? 

A figure giving a Byzantine blessing and flanked on either side by saints

The one to the right has a rather comical pointed moustache and beard

These men appear to be swinging censers

Many of the friezes intertwined with vines, leaves, and scrolls would have decorated the outside of the original Saxon Monastery
Sadly the most beautiful of all the sculptures cannot be seen. It is high up in the church bell tower hidden behind a firmly locked door, but with the advent of modern technology in the form of 3D computer aided imaging an exact replica has recently been made using identical stone

A wonderful carving known as the 'Breedon Angel' -  considered to be Angel Gabriel - but why is he looking so glum! The use of the third finger and the thumb to give the blessing is of a Byzantine tradition as are the delicate folds of his gown.