Corbel A projecting block that supports a parapet or beam. A cantilever. Figures 1 to 12. When the nave roof was raised and flattened in the 15C, the twelve carved stone corbels (stone brackets) supporting the original roof were left intact.

The early Christian church represented the four evangelists as winged creatures and these can be found on the four corner corbels - Matthew is represented by an angel (fig.1), Mark by a lion (fig.6), Luke by an ox (fig.12) and John by an eagle (fig.7). They are similar to the creatures described in the Book of Revelations as surrounding the Throne of God and became known as the “apocalyptic beasts”.  Each figure holds a scroll which may have carried the name of the saint.

The other corbels are carved 13C heads, probably of local people and benefactors, and interestingly they illustrate the headwear fashion of the time. There are two exceptions; the corbel nearest the south chancel door is an upside-down male figure (fig.10) with his head between his legs, poking out his tongue. Much can be read into this figure but the original purpose was to ward off evil spirits entering the church through the north chancel door. The north door is on the left side of the church, the Latin for left is sinistr- (sinister). The other exception is the corbel nearest the north chancel door. Possibly the figure of a winged angel, with shield, keeping out the evil spirits.