Denston  (Suffolk) Church of St. Nicholas
A late 15th century building similar in concept to the near-by church of Long Melford.  The intermarried families of Howard, Broughton, Denston, Clopton, and Drury (depicted in the stained glass at Long Melford) were also responsible for the rebuilding in Denston. With the suppression of the monasteries, none of the Suffolk abbeys were converted to parochial use so that there is no evidence of medieval choir stalls from these sites.  Denston, however retains in the chancel a system of choir stalls that allows us to surmise its common usage.  A row of a stalls flank the central entrance, moving horizontally (north to south).  Stalls are then arranged east to west, along each side of the chancel so that the choir boys and clergy face each other for the antiphonal performance of the office.  (Cautley, 146-7, fig. 164).  The is the present arrangement of the choir stalls at St. Margaret’s in Kings Lynn.
Denston’s nave pews are completely intact and the finials are animals resting on a battlement capping.  Other animals crouch below as guardians.

DN1 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, 15th-century nave pews with animal finials resting on a battlement capping.

DN2 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, 15th-century nave pews, detail.

Baptismal Font from the late 15th-century of the Seven Sacraments theme.  The scene of penance shows a shriving pew.  The confessor sits in the pew and parishioners, depicted as two women, line up to speak with him.

DN3 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, west side, image of Crucifixion aligned with altar.

DN4 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, sout west view showing Crucifixion and Extreme Unction.

DN5 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, detail Crucifixion and Extreme Unction.

DN6 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, detail Matrimony, Holy Orders.

DN7 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, detail of Penance in a shriving pew [MPC]

DN8 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, detail Mass and Baptism

DN9 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, late 15th century, Baptismal Font, detail Baptism.

DN10 Denston (Suffolk), St. Nicholas, stained glass 15th century, woman is bed - possibly from one of the Corporal Works of Mercy (visiting the sick?).