The Haddon Hall Sheela Na Gig

One of the few secular Sheela Na Gigs it can be found inside the old stables Haddon Hall. This sheela has been moved recently from its original position over the main door (see below) of the stables to the inside of the stables over what appears to be an old manger. This should prevent further weathering. The carving is fairly crude with the legs awkwardly held in the air. The hands are beneath the buttocks pulling either side. This is very reminiscent of the nearby Darley Dale Sheela. According to one of the guides at Haddon Hall the sheela was found in a field nearby and is much older than the hall itself but he also admitted to not knowing that much about the sheela so we have to take that with a pinch of salt. The "found in field" origin for the Sheela may be related to a roman altar to Mars which stands just inside the great hall. This apparently was dug up in one of the fields which sounds prefectly reasonable. This Sheela is curious because it is not on a religious building but a stables it however serving the same purpose as talisman of protection.Why the stables were in particular need of protection will have to remain a mystery.

The stable door. Notice the new pointing just above the door where the sheela used to be.