Arundel - St Nicholas

There were at least two earlier churches on or near the site of the present one, of which fragments remain in the exterior walls or elsewhere in the building. The church which we see today was begun around 1380, almost certainly to the designs of celebrated architects Henry Yeveley and William Wynford, whose work may be seen in the naves of Canterbury and Winchester Cathedrals.


Built in flint and local stone, the church consists of two separate though integral parts, a chancel and nave. The church's chancel was originally used by a small College of Canons. However, at the Reformation it was seized along with the Priory buildings by the 12th Duke of Arundel, Henry Fitzalan, and subsequently became the private property of the Earl and his descendants. Today it serves as the burial place for the Dukes of Norfolk.

Over the years the fabric of the church has suffered little alteration, but the interior arrangements have been frequently altered following religious upheavals and changes in architectural and liturgical fashion.

I've seen a lot of elephants and even crocodiles in churches. This is the very first time I've seen a rhino and a hippo. Unfortunately, I don't know the story behind this carving.