Hockwold, Norfolk, UK
Church of St Peter
Monument to Jermyn Wyche and Maria Hungerford †1719. Marble. East wall of chancel (south of the altar). Commissioned by their daughter, Maria. Signed: R. Singleton de Bury Fecit
Jermyn Wyche had inherited Hockwold Hall from his father, Sir Cyril (1632-1707), who had bought it in 1688. He had died in January 1719 and his wife, Maria in August. Their busts are framed Corinthian columns and piers, the wide opening suggesting a Roman triumphal arch with open segmental pediment. They are set against black marble and are separated by the now empty base of an urn (?), looking away from each other. Above they are greeted by a display of contemporary musical instruments, shown as the tasselled curtains are pulled back. This includes a range of wind instruments, trombone, violin, sheet music, ink stand with quill and a rather idealized medal of Queen Anne. The relief suggests an otherwise unrecorded interest in music. At the sides two putti hold coats of arms (one now lost), enlarged on the decorative cartouche above. The inscription, under the coarse dog tooth, ends with a winged skull, with the artist’s signature.
The busts catch the details of sitters’ costumes and appearance better than their blank expressions: his cravat and wig curled over his left shoulder, her strained neck muscles as she looks up. The inscription refers to his knowledge of the law and litigation, prompted by his dispute with a fellow MP. Sir John Pakington claimed property that had belonged to Wyche’s father’s second wife, having married Wyche’s stepsister. In March 1714 the matter came to a head in parliament where Pakington complained: ‘that Wyche’s status as executor of his father’s will made his claim of parliamentary privilege in the case erroneous. After a debate on the matter on the 19th Wyche agreed to waive his privilege, provided Pakington did the same.’
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715 by Richard Harrison
detail of coat of arms
Hockwold, Norfolk, UK
Church of St Peter
Monument to Jermyn Wyche and Maria Hungerford †1719. Marble. East wall of chancel (south of the altar). Commissioned by their daughter, Maria. Signed: R. Singleton de Bury Fecit
Jermyn Wyche had inherited Hockwold Hall from his father, Sir Cyril (1632-1707), who had bought it in 1688. He had died in January 1719 and his wife, Maria in August. Their busts are framed Corinthian columns and piers, the wide opening suggesting a Roman triumphal arch with open segmental pediment. They are set against black marble and are separated by the now empty base of an urn (?), looking away from each other. Above they are greeted by a display of contemporary musical instruments, shown as the tasselled curtains are pulled back. This includes a range of wind instruments, trombone, violin, sheet music, ink stand with quill and a rather idealized medal of Queen Anne. The relief suggests an otherwise unrecorded interest in music. At the sides two putti hold coats of arms (one now lost), enlarged on the decorative cartouche above. The inscription, under the coarse dog tooth, ends with a winged skull, with the artist’s signature.
The busts catch the details of sitters’ costumes and appearance better than their blank expressions: his cravat and wig curled over his left shoulder, her strained neck muscles as she looks up. The inscription refers to his knowledge of the law and litigation, prompted by his dispute with a fellow MP. Sir John Pakington claimed property that had belonged to Wyche’s father’s second wife, having married Wyche’s stepsister. In March 1714 the matter came to a head in parliament where Pakington complained: ‘that Wyche’s status as executor of his father’s will made his claim of parliamentary privilege in the case erroneous. After a debate on the matter on the 19th Wyche agreed to waive his privilege, provided Pakington did the same.’
historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715 by Richard Harrison
detail of coat of arms