This 78-page book first defines flushwork as a decorative method using knapped flint pieces inset into building walls, flush with the wall stones. It was prevalent in Church decoration in the flint-rich lands in southeast England from the 12th century to the dissolution of the monasteries in the mid-1500s.

The author discusses the sources of design, from the Church Year to the cult of saints, to medieval life such as heraldry, guild badges, merchant's marks, and tools of trades. She lists each Church covered by the book, with a map of their locations. She lists each saint represented by their symbols (such as St. Catherine's wheel, and St. Lawrence's gridiron) and how many churches reference each saint. There are a wealth of color photos, identified by meaning and location.

I found the concept of this art fascinating, and would love to have seen a bit more on methods of construction. However, the author was true to her stated purpose of introducing the reader to a wealth of religious symbology, heraldry, tools, and even the names of some of the wealthy donors.
It was a lovely book about a little-known regional artform and placed its designs in the context of medieval thought. I recommend it if you happen to stumble upon it. ( )