Events

• General Meeting

  Saturday, 28th March 2020

  Rothwell, Northamptonshire

  The first meeting of 2020 will be held at Rothwell, described by Pevsner as ‘one of the most attractive towns in Northamptonshire’.

  The programme will commence at 11.00a.m. with an optional short walk conducted by Ann Rowlett, a local historian, focusing on Thomas Tresham’s Market House and the Jesus Hospital. The latter was founded in 1591 by Owen Ragsdale who is commemorated with a brass (M.S.III).

  The formal meeting will commence at 2.00p.m. in Holy Trinity church with Jane Houghton speaking on William de Rothewelle, priest and quartermaster. Ann Rowlett will follow with Owen Ragsdale and the Jesus Hospital. Tea and an opportunity to view the brasses and monuments will follow. The afternoon will conclude with a talk by our member, Doreen Agutter on Edward Saunders, his brass and family.

  A rare opportunity will also be afforded to visit the charnel house. This small chamber is crammed with the bones of at least 2,500 people!

  The church of Holy Trinity is situated in Squires Hill, Rothwell. The postcode for satellite navigation is NN14 6BQ. The nearest station is Kettering (served from London: St. Pancras) which is 9 miles distant representing an approximate journey of 10 minutes by taxi. 

  Download
  Rothwell Flyer

  

• Annual General Meeting

  Saturday, 18th July 2020

  Saffron Walden, Essex (subject to confirmation)

  Further details will be available shortly.

  

• Conference

  Friday, 25th September 2020

  King's Lynn, Norfolk
  

  Arrangements are in hand for the Society’s Conference to be held at King's Lynn.
  On the Friday afternoon it is planned to visit the Minster church of St. Margaret.
  It is proposed to have a keynote talk on the Friday evening and five presentations
  on the Sunday focused on the theme of ‘Status and Display’.

  An excursion is being organised for the Saturday that will include visits to the churches at Narborough, Rougham and South Acre.

  Accomodation will be centred on the Duke’s Head with delegates able to make alternative arrangements. The event is being jointly organised with the Church Monuments Society.

  Further details and a booking form will be available shortly.

  

• General Meeting

  Saturday, 17th October 2020

  Trotton, Sussex

  Trotton lies in a bend on the river Rother, between Midhurst and Petersfield. St George’s parish church, Trotton, ‘has one of the finest interiors in Sussex’ (Arthur Mee) with three impressive monuments.

  On the west wall, 14th century paintings depict the Last Judgement, the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Works of Mercy.

  The brass to Margaret Camoys, c.1310, is ‘the oldest existing female brass’ (Pevsner). The face is life-like, the gown flowing, and there is a small dog at her feet. Indents in her gown and within the canopy once contained shields, proudly proclaiming her identity.

  The second brass is to Thomas, Lord Camoys (d.1421) and his wife, Elizabeth Mortimer (d.1417), widow of Harry ‘Hotspur’ Percy. Camoys fought at Agincourt with Henry V. This brass is ‘one of the biggest and most ornate and best preserved brasses in England’ (Pevsner).

  Other monuments include the tomb chest of Sir Roger Lewknor (d.1478), husband of Eleanor Camoys, the granddaughter of Lord Camoys.  

  There will be talks by Jessica Barker, Nigel Saul and Jennifer Ward.

  Refreshments will be provided.

  Petersfield is the nearest station for Trotton. Transport to and from the station will be available upon request.