Notes on St Thomas Church in East Shefford
East Shefford Church stands close to the site of the old moated manor-house of the Fettiplace family, which was ruthlessly destroyed about the year 1870. A small portion of the moat is still to be seen. The plan of the church, omitting the side chapel and porch, is in all probability the original Norman design. The present north and south walls are of Norman construction, the former retaining a window of that period. The opening up of the this window, in 1911, showed a narrow staircase in the the thickness of the wall giving access to the rood-loft, long since gone. The side chapel was added by the Fettiplaces at the end of the 15th century, when the square-headed windows of the Church were inserted and other alterations made. These windows were filled with richly coloured heraldic glass, showing the alliances made by members of the Fettiplace family. This glass has all disappeared with the exception of a figure subject now preserved in the new Church, over which are the arms of Fettiplace, quartering Bessels and Legh.
The Font is early Norman and originally stood on five shafts, of which the central one is still preserved in the Church. Bedded in the floor around the font are a few 14th century encaustic tiles.
A consecration cross is to be seen on the lower stone of the north pier of the chancel arch; and there are traces of mural decoration on the east, north, and west walls.
Monuments in East Shefford Church
The beautiful alabaster altar-tomb, on which repose two recumbent effigies, is that of Sir Thomas Fettiplace, Sheriff of Berks in 1435, and his wife Lady Beatrice, whose first husband was Gilbert, Lord Talbot, elder brother of John, first Earl of Shrewsbury. Lord Talbot's first wife was Joan Plantagenet, daughter or Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of King Edward III. Lady Beatrice's quartered arms... prove her decent from the royal house of Portugal. These arms were at one time to be seen in the windows of the Church and the adjoining Manor House. The military costume in which the effigy of Sir Thomas is represented is a good example of the plate armour work in the reign of King Henry VI. Lady Beatrice wear a mitre shaped head-dress, a sideless surcoat, and a mantle of state, with cord and tassels. She died Christmas Day, 1447, and her husband about the year 1442.
The fine perpendicular purbeck marble altar-tomb surmounted by a recessed and pedimented canopy, commemorates John Fettiplace and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir John Danvers. He was the great-grandson of Sir Thomas Fettiplace and died in 1524. After his death, his widow married Sir Anhtony Hungerford of Down Ampney. She died in 1559 and was buried with her first husband. Sir Anthony predeceased her a new months and was buried on the south side of the channel, where 50-60 years ago a brass bearing his engraved inscription and the Hungerford arms, still remained.
The massive stone coffin lid, ornamented with a foliated triple cross, lying near the font, apparently dates from the early part of the 13th century. I may possibly have covered the remains of Prior Lawrence who bought the advowson of East Shefford Church.
The helmet is a 15th century Salarde, converted into a close helmet by making use of a chin piece and buff of an early artifact. The date of all parts is about 1470-1500.
Notes on St Thomas Church in East Shefford
East Shefford Church stands close to the site of the old moated manor-house of the Fettiplace family, which was ruthlessly destroyed about the year 1870. A small portion of the moat is still to be seen. The plan of the church, omitting the side chapel and porch, is in all probability the original Norman design. The present north and south walls are of Norman construction, the former retaining a window of that period. The opening up of the this window, in 1911, showed a narrow staircase in the the thickness of the wall giving access to the rood-loft, long since gone. The side chapel was added by the Fettiplaces at the end of the 15th century, when the square-headed windows of the Church were inserted and other alterations made. These windows were filled with richly coloured heraldic glass, showing the alliances made by members of the Fettiplace family. This glass has all disappeared with the exception of a figure subject now preserved in the new Church, over which are the arms of Fettiplace, quartering Bessels and Legh.
The Font is early Norman and originally stood on five shafts, of which the central one is still preserved in the Church. Bedded in the floor around the font are a few 14th century encaustic tiles.
A consecration cross is to be seen on the lower stone of the north pier of the chancel arch; and there are traces of mural decoration on the east, north, and west walls.
Monuments in East Shefford Church
The beautiful alabaster altar-tomb, on which repose two recumbent effigies, is that of Sir Thomas Fettiplace, Sheriff of Berks in 1435, and his wife Lady Beatrice, whose first husband was Gilbert, Lord Talbot, elder brother of John, first Earl of Shrewsbury. Lord Talbot's first wife was Joan Plantagenet, daughter or Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of King Edward III. Lady Beatrice's quartered arms... prove her decent from the royal house of Portugal. These arms were at one time to be seen in the windows of the Church and the adjoining Manor House. The military costume in which the effigy of Sir Thomas is represented is a good example of the plate armour work in the reign of King Henry VI. Lady Beatrice wear a mitre shaped head-dress, a sideless surcoat, and a mantle of state, with cord and tassels. She died Christmas Day, 1447, and her husband about the year 1442.
The fine perpendicular purbeck marble altar-tomb surmounted by a recessed and pedimented canopy, commemorates John Fettiplace and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir John Danvers. He was the great-grandson of Sir Thomas Fettiplace and died in 1524. After his death, his widow married Sir Anhtony Hungerford of Down Ampney. She died in 1559 and was buried with her first husband. Sir Anthony predeceased her a new months and was buried on the south side of the channel, where 50-60 years ago a brass bearing his engraved inscription and the Hungerford arms, still remained.
The massive stone coffin lid, ornamented with a foliated triple cross, lying near the font, apparently dates from the early part of the 13th century. I may possibly have covered the remains of Prior Lawrence who bought the advowson of East Shefford Church.
The helmet is a 15th century Salarde, converted into a close helmet by making use of a chin piece and buff of an early artifact. The date of all parts is about 1470-1500.