Beckford - St John the Baptist

Beckford is known to have been settled by the Romans. The Anglo-Saxons filled the vacuum caused by the Roman withdrawal from Britain and the Saxon Chronicles of Worcestershire record it as “Beccanforda”. It is documented that a monastery and church, almost certainly of timber, were here in the 8th century.

The central tower, its base having round-headed Norman windows, suggests a Norman cruciform church. The nave is Norman and there may have been an apsidal chancel where the tower is now.
The chancel is Early English style from around 1310.

The church has two old tympanae. The one above the south portal was well protected and is therefore in good condition.

But for me, it is difficult to "read". There are two theories in the local leaflet.

One is that the eye to the left of the cross represents God the Father, the cross God the Son, and the dove the Holy Ghost. The two animals represent animal creation adoring the Trinity.

The other is that animals are Celtic sacred animals, the bird is a goose, allegedly sacred in those days, and they are paying homage to the new religion as represented by the cross.