Nooks and Corners of ShropshireTimmins, H. Thornhill (Henry Thornhill)
History
Nooks and Corners of Shropshire
Timmins, H. Thornhill (Henry Thornhill)
Shropshire (England) -- Description and travel
There is much to be seen in the interior. Near the porch we observe an
elegant font, with small, well moulded arches supporting it. Overhead is
a good oak roof, though not so massive as that of the chancel. A curious
feature of the latter is a small square window low down in the north
wall, supposed to be a leper's, or anchorite's, window, as it appears
probable that an anchorite had his dwelling here in very early times. Or
may not this have been what was known as a 'dead-light,' a little window
whence a light was shown into the graveyard to scare away the ghosts!
Passing into the north transept, which has ancient tiles upon the floor,
we are at once attracted by the very handsome and well preserved marble
monument of a knight clad in rich armour, a ruff around his neck, a lion
at his feet, and a quaint little figure supporting a helmet above his
head. Near the right hand lies a gauntlet, and within it crouches a
diminutive dog, the emblem of fidelity. Alongside the knight reposes his
lady consort, her costume of ruff and stomacher, girdle and flat
head-dress, bespeaking the time of Queen Elizabeth; while in the
background appear their nine children, habited in the stiff, formal gear
of that period. Beneath the enclosing arch are inscribed the words, 'HIC
IACET CORPUS RICHARDI LEE ARMIGERI QUI OBIIT 27° DIE MAII ANNO DONI
1591.' This fine monument is carved in alabaster, and is surmounted by a
knightly helmet and squirrel crest, and coats of arms with supporters.
[Illustration: Nicholas de Brunell.]
In the angle of the adjacent wall is another marble tomb, less elaborate
than the last, but considerably older. Its arcaded sides are wrought
with consummate skill, while the upper surface is inlaid with a handsome
brass effigy of Nicholas de Handlo, who in the year 1360 married the
heiress, and assumed the name, of the Burnell family. A glance at the
sketch will show how well this fine old brass has withstood the wear and
tear of more than 500 years. The knight's head is crowned by a peaked
hauberk, and the soldierly face, with its long, flowing moustache, looks
out from a richly cusped and crocketed canopy. A leather jerkin is worn
over the tight-fitting coat of chain-mail, and a jewelled belt supports
the long-handled sword and dagger. The legs are encased in greaves; and
huge spurs, flexible foot-gear, and gauntlets upon the uplifted hands,
complete the tale of this warrior's battle harness. A couchant lion, or
griffin, keeps ward beside the feet, and upon a brass plate at the head
we read the following inscription:
Hic iacet diis Nichus Burnell miles dus
De holgot qui obiit xixo die Januarii Anno
Dni Mmo CECmo Lxxxiio Cui aie ppiciet ds am.
We have by no means exhausted the attractions of this interesting
interior, but, to make a long story short, will merely remark, en
passant, there are numerous objects worthy of note in other parts of the
church.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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