February Talk: Peter Filtness: A beginner’s guide to Anglo-Saxon architecture

Tuesday 14th October

Anglo-Saxon buildings, dating back some 1000 years and more, are rare. Most buildings were constructed in wood and have long since disappeared. However, some churches particularly in the later period were built of stone and while few complete buildings survive,  a surprisingly large number of Anglo-Saxon features survive in later churches.  The talk will show what features the intrepid explorer should look for, and how to tell Saxon from later architectural styles.  Since retiring as a Chartered Town Planner, Peter has recorded many vernacular buildings with the Wiltshire Buildings Record, and when not doing this has developed a growing enthusiasm for church architecture, especially the idiosyncrasies, clunky awkwardness, massive dignity, and inventive vibrancy that makes Anglo-Saxon architecture so fascinating.