Chapter I: Preface

Of late years there has been a marked awakening of general interest in monumental brasses. Previously, the more imposing realism of statuary--either in single figures or in groups--may be said to have deprived these ancient relics of the recognition they deserved. But recently it has begun to dawn upon the more artistic members, at least of the thinking public, how much of real archaeological interest attaches to memorial brasses, hitherto known and appreciated only by the few.

As yet, however, there has been no cheap and handy manual which will give the ordinary man in the street a fair idea of the classes into which they may most readily be grouped, and at the same time furnish him with such essential details as will enable him to distinguish instinctively the salient points of the subject, and assimilate them to the full. It is hoped that this little volume will succeed in fulfilling this aim.

The arrangement of the chapters is into periods corresponding with those of History instead of the artificial method of grouping into _knights_, _knights and ladies_, _demi-figures_, etc. Those who would wish to follow up the subject in more extended form should read Mr Macklin’s excellent work _The Brasses of England_, also Haines’ _Manual_ and Boutell’s _Monumental Brasses_.

Most of the illustrations are from the author’s own collection of rubbings (numbering over 1500), and practically all the letter-press and descriptions are based on his personal observations either from the rubbings or from the brasses themselves. In a few cases where this is not so, the author is indebted to one or other of those authors above mentioned. The Editor of _The Builder_ has kindly given us permission for the use of two of the blocks made from the author’s rubbings, which appeared in a recent number of that paper.

J. S. M. W.

_August 16, 1912._

CONTENTS

Preface v

I. Edward I and II. 1272-1327 1

II. Edward III and Richard II. 1328-99 9

III. Lancastrian Period. 1400-53 14

IV. The Yorkist Period. 1453-85 24

V. Medieval Clergy 31

VI. The Monasteries 43

VII. The Early Tudors. 1485-1547 52

VIII. Edward VI and Mary. Transitional Period 60

IX. Elizabeth and James I. 1558-1625 62

X. The Caroline Brasses. 1625-60 70

XI. The Last Brasses. 1660-1773 75

XII. Special Types 76

XIII. Foreign Brasses 83

XIV. Architectural Details 87

XV. Conclusion 99

Appendix 112

Bibliography 148

Index 149

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Sir John Daubernon

2. Sir John de Creke

3. Sir John and Lady de Northwode

4. Lady Joan de Cobham

5. Sir Nicholas Burnell

6. Margaret, Lady Cobham

7. Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick

8. Sir Symon de Felbrigge and Margaret, his wife

9. William Grevel and Wife

10. Sir John Cassy and Wife

11. Sir William and Lady Vernon

12. Sir Thomas Urswyk and family

13. Laurence de St Maur

14. John Blodwell

15. Thomas Cranley, Archbishop of Dublin

16. Thomas Neolond

17. Eleanor de Bohun, Duchess of Gloucester

18. John Shelley and Wife

19. Lady Tiptoft

20. Richard Wakehurst and Wife

21. John Wingfield

22. Alice, wife of William Wade

23. Sir Edward Filmer and family

24. John Strete

25. Robert de Paris and Wife