Portfolio of Brasses
Each month we feature an article about a brass of particular interest.
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Sir Thomas Stathum & wives Elizabeth and Thomasine
County: Derbyshire
Date: 1470
April 2003
This brass commemorates Sir Thomas Stathum, d. 1470, and his two wives, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Langley esq., and Thomasine, daughter of John Curzon esq.. It is one of a series of brasses in this church to members of the Stathum family, who were Lords of the Manor of Morley, Derbyshire and most of whom recorded on their brass building works and contributions to the fabric of St Mathews church and other good works they carried out in the town.Sir Thomas had very clear ideas as to how he wished to be commemorated. In his will he...
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George Rede
County: Wiltshire
Date: 1504
This brass commemorates George Rede, who was rector of Fovant, Wiltshire from 1473 to his resignation in 1504. The inscription reads, in translation 'Pray for the soul of George Rede, formerly Rector of the Church of Fovant at the time of the building of the new tower there, AD 1492, on whose soul God have mercy Amen'. This indicates that it was not laid down by his executors after his death, as was the norm at this time, but was commissioned by Rede himself, probably around the time that the building works to the tower were completed.
The brass which Rede...
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Nicholas Gaynesford
County: Surrey
Date: 1498
This brass commemorates Nicholas Gaynesford, who died in 1498, and his wife, Margaret (nee Sidney), died 1503. Gaps are left in the inscription for the dates of death, showing that the brass was engraved in the lifetime of the pair, probably 1480-5, and so shows them as they personally wished to be represented. He is shown in armour and she in a butterfly headdress and gown with a collar of Suns and Roses, denoting allegiance to the Yorkist dynasty. The brass forms the back panel of a high tomb on the north side of the old Chancel of Carshalton church.
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