Photo © S. Alsford
This serene Madonna and Child is the central figure in the exterior wall of what was once a chapel atop the Ethelbert Gate, one of the principal entrances into the close of Norwich cathedral. The gate was rebuilt in 1316 by the citizens as part of their penance and compensation for damage done to the close during a riot in 1272, including the burning of the original gate, although enough survived the fire to provide the basis for the rebuild. The chapel was to replace St. Ethelbert's church, also burned down by the rioters.
The entire gate (below) is highly decorated (N.B. the topmost section, here omitted, is a nineteenth century addition). The representation of Mary, along with that of St. George about to do battle with the dragon, flanking the archway, may have been intended to invoke divine protection, or (the other side of that coin) to deter would-be attackers.
Photo © S. Alsford
Carvings of angels, busts, animals, grotesques were mounted at numerous points on religious architecture – almost gratuitously it seems, but in fact often for reasons tied to deep-seated religious beliefs that few today hold. The two examples below come from (left) an exhibit in the Yorkshire Museum, York, and (right, with monastic tonsure) an exhibit in the museum formerly in the church of St. Peter Hungate, Norwich.
Photos © S. Alsford