Enhanced image
Description
Winged angel on the west side of NA5, holding a heraldic shield. The figure has outstretched wings and a frontal head and torso. Surviving painted decoration remains on the figure and shield.
Heraldry
Blazon: Azure, a cross flory between four martlets argent, provisionally.
A silver cross with flower-like ends on a blue field, with a silver bird in each space between its arms. The birds are interpreted as martlets, conventionally depicted without feet. Gold remains an alternative to silver for the cross and birds.
Identification: Unresolved. The Dictionary of British Arms (DBA) records the provisional silver-on-blue design for Pleasington/Plesyngton and as attributed arms of King Ine of Wessex (ruled abt 688–726). Related versions with a gold cross and birds have several royal associations, including Edward the Confessor (ruled 1042–1066). These arms were assigned retrospectively to kings who lived before heraldry developed. The design therefore supports both family and royal possibilities without establishing which was intended here.
Earlier interpretations:
RCHME: “Sable (or azure) a cross flory between four martlets argent.”
Buckeridge: “Sable (az) a cross flory between four martlets argent (or), King Edward.”
DBA reference: Volume III, p.181, for Azure, a cross flory between four martlets argent, Pleasington/Plesyngton and King Ine; pp.181–182 for related cross-patonce versions and attributed royal arms.
Condition
The carving appears substantially intact in this view, including the head, torso, wings, hands and shield. Painted decoration survives clearly, although the surfaces show fading, abrasion and localised loss. A small hole is visible near the point of the shield.