The History and Antiquities of HorshamDudley, Howard
History
The History and Antiquities of Horsham
Dudley, Howard
Horsham (West Sussex, England)
Length 146 ft.
Width 53 8 in.
Height 47 10
[Picture: The Nave]
The roof is supported upon wooden ribs, crossed by others of the same
materials: the joints are covered by ornamented plates of iron, of very
grotesque descriptions: in the nave, the ribs are almost double the
distance apart, of those in the chancel: the junction of the roof and
walls, in the latter portion of the edifice, are adorned with curious
little figures of horses, foxes, &c. &c. interspersed with stars, and
many other similar devices.
The entire edifice is supported upon eight columns on either side: three
constituting the chance, and the remaining five the nave: the galleries
are particularly neat, more especially that appropriated to the organ,
the whole of the pewing being covered entirely with green baize. The
lancet windows, with which the church was formerly furnished, have almost
all been altered for others of a later date, except in the clerestory,
where they retain their original form. The large east window, before
mentioned, was formerly adorned with no less than 14 coats of arms richly
painted. The roof was put up, at the time that the Norfolks were lords
of the borough: in the year 1825, a curious old inscription was
discovered upon the summit of the walls, reaching from one end of the
church to the other, but it was very remarkable, that the centres of all
the letters, (which were about a foot in length) were entirely, and
apparently designedly effaced, so that not the slightest meaning could be
discovered from it.
In the chancel, is the curious and remarkable effigy of Thomas lord
Braose ob. 1396. This noble and ancient family were formerly almost the
sole proprietors of the county of Sussex. One of their residences was at
Chesworth, an ancient mansion to the south of the town, which shall
afterwards be described; and Bramber Castle also near Steyning,
originally appertained to these powerful barons. The head of the figure,
“is defended by a basinet, ornamented by a draplet of jewels, his throat
by the ample carmail, attached to the helmet as in the time of Edward
III. His arms are in plate armour, and his body in a shortened hauberk,
kept from pressing on his chest, by means of the plastron, or
breast-plate, within. Over this is the juppon, bearing his coat of arms,
viz. seme of cross croslets, a lion rampant crowned. Suspended from his
military girdle at his right hip, is his dagger, the sheath of which, is
ornamented in an architectural style, and in the same manner at the left,
hung his long sword, of which no traces now remain. On his insteps, are
large pieces attached to the spur leathers, and terminated by indented
edges which conceal the chain mail beneath. His jousting helmet,
surmounted by his crest, a demi-lion rampant, issuing from a coronet, is
under his head, but greatly mutilated, all below the oscularium, having
been destroyed.” {12}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account