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DVD Description
Churches: How To Read Them presented by author Richard Taylor, examines how the imagery, symbols and architecture of Britain’s Churches have inspired, moved and enraged people down the centuries.
Richard believes that we’ve forgotten how to read the language of these buildings but that if we know how, we can connect directly with our ancestors’ deepest hopes and fears. He rejects the lazy clichés that reduce churches to little more than dusty museums, or to some sort of code for a "wannabe Dan Brown" to crack. Richard believes they’re much more than that.
The series is about understanding what we see in the churches of Britain – how their different styles reflect changing ideas of God, salvation, living and dying. Richard visits some of Britain’s finest churches, and the journey is touched with his insight, humour and sense of wonder at what he sees and interprets.
Richard believes that we’ve forgotten how to read the language of these buildings but that if we know how, we can connect directly with our ancestors’ deepest hopes and fears. He rejects the lazy clichés that reduce churches to little more than dusty museums, or to some sort of code for a "wannabe Dan Brown" to crack. Richard believes they’re much more than that.
The series is about understanding what we see in the churches of Britain – how their different styles reflect changing ideas of God, salvation, living and dying. Richard visits some of Britain’s finest churches, and the journey is touched with his insight, humour and sense of wonder at what he sees and interprets.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
This is an expert guide to English Church architecture. He manages to communicate his obviously deep knowledge in an informative and entertaining manner. It is also a very well made programme; it is deceptively simple, well edited and beautifully shot. This is one of the best popular history series that I have watched in many years and I strongly recommend it.
47 of 47 people found the following review helpful
This is a fascinating series of six, half-hour BBC programmes which examine the imagery, symbols and architecture of English parish churches. The presenter, Richard Taylor, talks with genuine enthusiasm in a chatty way, as he visits dozens of beautiful, ancient and interesting religious buildings from across the UK. Each episode uncovers dozens of little gems, as well as explaining an awful lot about how Christianity is intertwined with traditional British culture.
At first, churches were originally simple buildings of mediaeval times, intended to protect the altar and carried over many symbols and carvings from the pagan era. Then humorous wall paintings and intricate carvings were used to teach moral lessons, while stunning architectural angels and similar devices gave the impression of what we might find in heaven. The series reveals why fonts have such elaborate covers, rediscovers the ritual of `churching' women, and explains why so many village pubs have very close links to their local church. It also investigates the obsession with death and suffering which some churches went through; looks at why crucifixes became popular, and uncovers the truth behind the cult of the Virgin Mary and the Reformation, and all the turbulent times that went with that upheaval.
It was also very interesting to learn of the different opinions when it comes to restoring old churches (repair? rebuild? replace?), and to see how different beliefs have shaped the buildings where people gather to worship. Some of the churches of the 20th century are, however, just unspeakably ugly...
Far more than just a history or appreciation of architecture, this series contains some gorgeous footage of beautiful buildings. It's an inspiration to get off the sofa and go and see some of them. You definitely don't need to be a Christian to appreciate their importance in the British landscape.
A thoroughly enjoyable and informative series.
8/10
At first, churches were originally simple buildings of mediaeval times, intended to protect the altar and carried over many symbols and carvings from the pagan era. Then humorous wall paintings and intricate carvings were used to teach moral lessons, while stunning architectural angels and similar devices gave the impression of what we might find in heaven. The series reveals why fonts have such elaborate covers, rediscovers the ritual of `churching' women, and explains why so many village pubs have very close links to their local church. It also investigates the obsession with death and suffering which some churches went through; looks at why crucifixes became popular, and uncovers the truth behind the cult of the Virgin Mary and the Reformation, and all the turbulent times that went with that upheaval.
It was also very interesting to learn of the different opinions when it comes to restoring old churches (repair? rebuild? replace?), and to see how different beliefs have shaped the buildings where people gather to worship. Some of the churches of the 20th century are, however, just unspeakably ugly...
Far more than just a history or appreciation of architecture, this series contains some gorgeous footage of beautiful buildings. It's an inspiration to get off the sofa and go and see some of them. You definitely don't need to be a Christian to appreciate their importance in the British landscape.
A thoroughly enjoyable and informative series.
8/10
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Richard Taylor has an enthusiastic and encouraging approach to his subject. By avoiding any semblance of a didactic approach, one is pleasantly carried along and made appreciative of the many nuances and interesting implications behind many of the features that otherwise may lay hidden to our appreciation. A very fine series.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
FABULOUS AND FULL OF RELIGIOUS HISTORY
VERY happy to stumble upon this wonderful Amazon.co.uk purchase that is a walk through many of England & Scotland's churches that I wish, I could do, on my own!.. but the host,Mr. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Frank L. Burgess
reading the visual
This DVD provided to be the foundation of a great hobby. Since watching the series I have been to many churches and am able to better understand what I see. Read more
Published 2 months ago by hawk
Good Present
Brought this as a birthday present for a friend and it was very well received.Thought the series on tv was very good.
Published 3 months ago by micadenbrewery
Absorbing ...
Six very watchable half-hour programs. Thoroughly interesting insight into our places of religious worship. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Catherine
A brilliant series
Having watched some of the programs on TV each time the BBC screed it - my husband and I still managed to miss some of the programs - I bought this for him as a Christmas present... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. A. Richardson
All that hidden imagery and meaning.
Another excellent series from the BBC. We visit lots of cities on holiday and often tour churches. This series gives a great level of detail and information to draw upon during... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr Strathmore
very interesting history series
A very well made series, which as well as being an expert guide to the architecture and art of British churches, is a potted history of Britain. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Janey C
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