On the hunt for Hunky Punks

A Hunky Punk is the Somerset name for a stone carving, found on the wall of a church. The oldest ones date back to Medieval times and generally are squat, crouching figures, carved high up on the outside of the building. Another name for Hunky Punks is a grotesque, but I much prefer the local name. They are purely decorative unlike a gargoyle which spurts the rain water off the roof and away from the walls of the church. Each one has a story to tell and I think they are so fun to spot.

Isle Abbots

Last weekend, we went on a hunt for Hunky Punks. We visited four churches in total and they did not disappoint. Even took us to beautiful, chocolate box villages, with thatched cottages, that we hadn’t visited before. First up was Isle Abbots. The church was a beautiful, warm colour and looked fabulous against the fleeting blue sky. It has eight hunky punks on the tower: a bagpipe player, a goat, three separate dragons, a lion dog, a winged and a non winged lion.

Were they a warning to the parishioners to stay on the righteous path or were they put up there for fun by the stone masons? Maybe harping back to more pagan days. Some seem bawdy. The bagpiper holds his bottom and the chanters, he is blowing into, could be mistaken for something less musical. It’s message maybe lost in the mist of time.

Whatever the meaning of them all, they certainly add to the interest of the building. I can’t help thinking there may have been a bit of rivalry going on between the churches, as one parish out did the other.

Curry Rivel

Next church was St Andrew’s at Curry Rivel. Another striking church in a beautiful village. The church is in the Doomsday book, but its current form was built in the 1500s, and parts added and rebuilt, as so many others have been. Inside is worth a visit and includes absolutely beautiful engraved windows made by Laurence Whistler (poet and celebrated glass engraver)

I think out of all the Hunky Punks we saw that day, the fiddler was my favourite. At any moment, it could stand up on the ledge and start dancing, as he played. Would we be able to resist joining in?

Langport

We visited two churches in Langport – Church of All Saints and Blessed Virgin Mary Huish Episcopi. Both had so many interesting Hunky Punks, but I’ll leave them for another day. OK, just a couple of photos, including the lion in the top photo, with his almost human like face.

Plus we drove under/through the Hanging Chapel.

I loved finding all the Hunky Punks and I cannot help admiring the craftmanship that went into each one. So much detail carved into the walls. Before the 13th century, they would have been carved in situ, so I admire the daring too. Later, they saw sense and carved them on the ground and then inserted into the wall afterwards, which seems a more sound approach.

Each one gives us a little insight into the craft person’s mind and the times they were created. Some seem slightly vulgar in our modern times, others unsettling and not something I’d like to meet in real life. I know some Hunky Punks are based on real, local people. Others look like they inspired a few horror movies.

Here’s a question. If you could design a hunky punk, what would it be and where would you put it? I’d go for a sleeping dragon with one eye slightly open. Probably facing down our drive.

Well, this has been a whistle stop tour, but hopefully it has given you something else to keep an eye out for. If you happen to be in Somerset and see an old church, might I suggest that you look up. You might just see something interesting. I know I shall carry on hunting for Hunky Punks.

 

(just be careful how you Google it!)

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