Notes on the Ancient Stained Glass, Memorial Brasses, and an Altar-Slab in the Church of St Mary, Great Chart
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NOTES ON THE ANCIENT STAINED GLASS,
MEMORIAL BRASSES, AND AN ALTARSLAB
IN THE OHUROH OE ST. MARY,
GREAT CHART.
BY THE REV. HARRY W. RUSSELL.
THIS Church formerly was well adorned with stained glass of
fourteenth and fifteenth century date, of which much remained
when "Weever wrote his description in 1631. A great deal of it
had disappeared when Hasted and Parsons visited the Church
towards the close of the eighteenth century ; still less has survived
to our own day. The iconoclastic zeal of fanatics, the hand of time,
and the fashion of inserting modern memorial windows have probably
all contributed to the work of destruction ;* so that the
fragments which now remain, though sufficiently numerous to shew
us the beauty and interest attaching to the old glass, are many of
them not in their original position, and are on that account somewhat
difficult to describe in a satisfactory manner.
The most interesting of these fragments are to be seen in
the South, or G-oldwell, Chapel. The present state of this window
is as follows: In the highest compartment is a gold well, between
female half-length figures with turban head-dresses. The upper
part of the north light contains the figure of a man kneeling
on an ornamented pavement, clad in a blue gown, and flanked by
two gold wells. Below this is a coat of arms, viz.: " Quarterly:
1 and 4, Azure, a chief or, over all a lion rampant argent billetty
sable, for G-OLDWELI; ; 2 and 3, Argent, six escallops azure, on a
chief sable three wells or." The rest of the light is filled with
fragments of drapery, finials, etc., among which are a castle with
* Some fragments were removed from the east window of the North Chapel
as recently as 1879, to make room for the insertion of the new window in
memory of the Rev. Nioholas Toke, ob. 1866, and Emma Toke, ob. 1878. They
were placed in the east window of the South Chapel.
9 2 ANCIENT STAINED GLASS, ETC., IN THE
crowned demi-figures of a king and queen looking over the battlements;
St. Q-eorge, nimbed, wearing white and gold armour, and
riding a white horse adorned with gold trappings; (in addition
to the dragon a dog is present, but this seems to have belonged
to some other design). At the top of the middle light is a scroll
with the words " D'n's tecum," beneath which is the upper
part of the figure of a Bishop, wearing a white mitre and cope
embroidered with gold, and holding in his right hand a clasped
book. Behind the head is an Episcopal Cross. Under this figure
are three gold wells; and, lower again, standing between two
angels swinging censers, is a nimbed figure, wearing a white girded
robe edged with golden embroidery round the neck, wrists, and feet.
This figure is playing a large golden zig-zag wind instrument, which
has a trumpet-shaped mouth. Among the fragments in this part
of the window are " a lion's jamb argent billetty sable," and the
letters " A. E." in monogram on either side of a large " I," and
surrounded by scroll-work.
The upper part of the south light contains the figure of a
woman kneeling on an ornamental pavement, between two gold
wells. Below this are the arms of the See of Norwich: " Azure,
three mitres labelled or." In the lower part of the same light is a
large nimbed and winged figure of St. Michael, in white and gold
armour; he carries a white shield on which is a gold cross, and
stands on a blue hydra-headed dragon.
This window (or parts of it) commemorates James Goldwell,
Bishop of Norwich 1472—1499, and probably also his parents,
William and Avice Goldwell, who both died in the year 1485.
The family of Goldwell had from very early times owned the manor
of that name in Grreat Chart, to which, early in the fifteenth
century, they added the manors of Godinton and "Wortin in the
same parish. James Goldwell was instituted to the Eectory of
Cheriton on the presentation of Sir John Fogge in 1450, and was
subsequently Eector of Harrietsham, which in 1458 he exchanged
for his native parish of Great Chart. It is not probable that he
resided much on his Kentish cure, for preferment was showered
upon him. He was Eector of St. John the Evangelist, London,
1455; Eector of Eivenhall, Essex; Prebendary of St. Paul's; Canon
of "Windsor 1458; Eector of Cliffe-at-Hoo; Archdeacon of Essex;
Canon of Hereford; Dean of Salisbury; Eegistrar of the Order of
the Garter 1460; and Master of Eequests and Principal Secretary to
King Edward IV., who employed him on many foreigu diplomatic
CHURCH OE ST. MARY, GREAT CHART. 93
missions. In 1472 he was appointed Bishop of Norwich, and was
consecrated at Eome by Pope Sixtus IV., from whom he obtained an
indulgence in aid of the restoration of Great Chart Church, which
had been damaged hy fire. In order to meet the expense of the
needful repairs a pardon of twelve years and forty days was granted
to all who should come twice a year and give their offerings to this
Church. These efforts on the part of Bishop Goldwell were
apparently crowned with success; for Weever, writing in 1631,
says: " James Goldwell . . . . Bishop of Norwich, was a repairer of
this Church [Great Chart], as appears by this broken Inscription
in the top crosse window . . . . ' Magistro Jacobo Goldwelle . . . .
Ecclesie sancti Pauli, London, qui hoc opus repara ' . . . . And in
the East window it is thus to be read in the glasse: ' Memoriale
reverendi patris Domini Jacobi Goldwell Episcopi Norwicen.' "
Weever also adds that " in the middest of the East window, in
the South Chapell of this Church, is the picture of the foresaid
Bishop Goldwell kneeling, and in every quarry a golden well or
fountaine (his Bebus or name devise), and crosse the window
i n s c r i b e d : ' . . . . Jacobo Ooldwell Episcopo Norwicen qui . . . . opus
fundavit Ann. Christi MCCCCLXXVII.,' whereby it appears that
this Bishop was founder of this Chappell."*
Bishop Goldwell was a munificent benefactor to his Cathedral
Church. The beautiful roof, and the flying buttresses on the outside
of the Choir at Norwich were built during his tenure of the see,
and mainly at his own cost. He died in 1498-9 and was buried in
his own Cathedral, where his tomb, unlike those of most of his
predecessors, may still be identified.
The North or Godinton Chapel was also formerly rich in
stained glass, particularly the north window nearest to the east end,
which has for many years been blocked up, and the interior wail
plastered and occupied by memorials of the Toke family, the
earliest of which is in memory of Sir Nicolas Toke, who died in
1725. Weever, writing of this window (which, as may be seen on
the outside wall, was a three-light one in the Perpendicular style),
* Hasted says of this, that " there is a figure of a man praying, the glass
round him filled with golden wells, and near him a woman's in the like posture
and wells about her." It is probable that these figures represent the Bishop's
parents, for whose souls the Chantry Chapel was founded. Weever says that
" the corner stone of the foundation of this Chappell on the outside is made like
a gravestone with a orosse cut thereupon." This stone remains at the southeast
corner of the Chapel, but is partly hidden by a buttress. The cross is quite
plain and is cut in low relief. _ The measurement of the stone is 62 inches by
24 inches, and Of the cross 50 inches.
9 4 ANCIENT STAINED GLASS, ETC., IN THE
says: " In the north window of the North ChappeU have been
sixteen pourtraitures of men iu glasse, all kneeling, whereof most
remaine, whose names are as followeth: Johannes Webbe, Johannes
Sosewyf, Thomas Wred, Johannes Turlepyn, Willelmus Malem ay'ne,
Johannes Letihey, Johannes Bockon, Johannes Chillinton, Johannes
Atte [? Bregge], Johannes Yardherst. In midst of whom as the
Priests there are Dominus Bichardus Medhurst and Dominus
Walterus Wilcock. Now it goes by tradition, from the father to
the sonne, these were the builders of this Church." Soon after
Weever wrote this description much of the glass in this window
seems to have been destroyed, doubtless during the Civil War, for
Philipot, writing in 1659, says that there were formerly twelve
figures, and he gives three names not mentioned by Weever,
viz., John de Godington,* Henry de Singleton.f and Henry de
Wurtin.
Hasted gives three alterations in the names, viz., Johannes
Litilbey, Johannes Chilmington,% and adds that of Johannes Atte
Bregge. We have thus the names of the sixteen figures mentioned
by Weever; they probably represent benefactors who lived in the
second half of the fourteenth century.§
In the west face of the tower is a late-Decorated two-light
window partly filled with modern glass of diaper pattern, into which
some pieces of ancient glass have been inserted. The glass in this
window was given by the Very Eev. George Pellew, D.D., Eector
of Great Chart and Dean of Norwich, who died in 1866, and
the ancient glass is said to have been brought by him from
Norwich.
In the highest compartment of the tracery is a male standing
figure, clothed in a purple robe, holding a gold book in the right
hand and a gold crozier in the left. The upper part of the south
light is occupied by a demi-figure in a white robe, with red wings,
* Harris says, " John de Godington is or was painted in coat armour in a
window in the north isle of the Church, looking up to a crucifix plaoed above
him." (History of Kent, p. 68.)
t " Kneeling in armour in the window aforenamed." (Ibid.)
X Harris says, " his effigy is or was among others in the glass windows," and
that he died in Henry IV.'s time. (Ibid.)
§ See Larking's MS.; Codex de Kent in the Charles' Museum at Maidstone;
Philipot's Villare Cantianum, pp. 112, 113; Hasted, vol. iii., folio edition,
p. 250. A Thomas "Wred appears as a witness in the Christ Churoh Registers
in 1345 (C. aud D., fols. 329, 330). As place names, Chilmington, Ninn, Yardhurst,
Godinton, Singleton, and "Wortin are in Great Chart; Malmayns is in
Pluckley; and Swinford (owned in the fourteenth oentury by John Atte Bregge)
is in Hothfield.
CHURCH OE ST. MARY, GREAT CHART. 95
blowing a golden ram's horn, and surrounded by clouds. Below
this is a nimbed and crowned figure, apparently a female, on an
ornamented pavement. The figure is clothed in a purple robe lined
with white and gold, holds a gold-clasped book in the right hand
and a gold crozier in the left. The upper part of the north light
is like the corresponding part in the south light, except that the
wings are blue. Below this is the upper half of a male figure with
long golden hair. He wears a loose white jacket with a gold girdle,
and holds a plain gold scroll with both hands ; a green oval is over
the head, and there are red wings at the shoulders, but these look
like modern additions. Below this, on an ornamented pavement, is
St. George destroying a gold dragon which has an ape-like head ;
St. George is in white and gold armour, and on his head is a gold
turban with crescent and aigrette.
NOTES ON THE BEASSES.
Three brasses have been removed from the floor of the Church,
and are now on the west wall of the south aisle. They commemorate
: —
1. THOMAS TWESDEN and his wife BENEDICTA. The brass is
perfect but rather worn. The male figure wears' a long gown with
full sleeves and belted at the waist. The female has a long full
dress with close-fitting bodice and sleeves, and a girdle, the ends of
which reach to the feet; the head-dress is angular with long lappets.
The inscription at foot says, "j_He jaeeitt Sfiomas StoejSlJeu
geuerossus, qui ofctft s° ate IPeeemh. anno __ionttm 1500; et
ISeneBtcta uxov tjw; quorum animafcua projntfetur H-eus."
The stone containing the matrix from which this brass was taken is
in the foot-way near the vestry door ; it shews the matrices of two
other plates which are lost, but which probably contained the
further inscription given by Weever,* "SattCta 2Frittttas 19 CUB
miserere rohis."
By will made in 1500 Thomas Twysden of Chilmington in
Great Chart left " Buxforde Melle " in Great Chart to his wife
Bennet. Eichard Toke was one of his feoffees.f The celebrated
Sir Eoger Twysden of Eoydon Hall, M.P. for Kent in the Long
* P. 296, f Roydon Hall Muniments.
9 6 ANCIENT STAINED GLASS, ETC., IN THE
Parliament, compiler of the " Decem Scriptores," etc., was descended
from Thomas Twisden of Great Chart.
2. A man wearing a close-fitting gown which reaches to the
ankles and is edged with fur. At his right side a pouch hangs
from his belt. This brass has neither name, date, nor inscription.
3. WILLIAM SHAEP and his five wives. He wears a close-fitting
gown which reaches to the ankles; a rosary hangs from his belt.
The wives wear long full dresses with close-fitting bodices and
sleeves and fur cuffs; the dresses are open at the neck. The headdresses
are angular with long lappets. The figures are perfect, and
the inscription at foot says," j_Jte j'aeet ffieStUiellttUS %f)at'J) tt ejus
qutnqe eonsortes; qui qutDem ©j&illt'elmus ofcitt bieestmo
nono Die Septemh. anno Domini 1499, eufus anime gropitietur
Deus. &meu."
Parsons* says that in 1791 this brass was in the middle aisle.
A plate records that it was removed to its present position in
1875. The stone containing the matrix is close to the Twesden
stone.
The Sharp family owned the manor of Ninn in Great Chart,
to which, in the reign of King Edward VL, they added the manor
of Nash Court in Westwell.
4. WILLIAM AND AVIOE GOLDWELL, ob. 1485. Their fulllength
effigies are upon an altar-tomb in the North Chancel. The
male figure is clothed in a long gown, edged with fur and belted at
the waist, from which hangs a rosary. A small piece of brass is
missing from the crown of the head, over which is the following
inscription : "ty&ttV De eeliS DettS misei'ere nofcig," and beneath
the feet, " gptrittts Sanete Deus miserere nohis."
The female figure wears a long full gown with fur cuffs and
tippet, and open at the neck. The coverchef upon the head has
a heart-shaped outline; the lappets do not reach the shoulders.
Beneath the feet are the words " Sai teta STrittitas " [rest missing],
and above the head, " JFUt VCDemtor" [rest missing].
There are also matrices for a coat of arms and two inscriptions,
and for two groups of children with two inscriptions. Weever
says that " round about the verge is engraven this Epitaph following
in brasse, and betwixt every word the figure of a well . . . .
'^Uurne OTtfllelmi De ©olDtoelle & ftlicie uxoris sue per
* P. 186.
CHURCH OE ST. MARY, GREAT CHART. 97
miserieorDiam foti ix\ pace reqttiescant. CButi quiDem fflStfllel*
mus septimo Die mensis JBlaii, & Dieta gfoieia octabo Die
Aprilis, SLitera HJomtuicalis 38., _ac luce migrarttnt. &tw.
Domini jfa€®<&$3LXXXV. Quorum antmafcus propitietur
IPeus. &men/"
On the south side of this altar-tomb are three restored coats of
arms in brass, with a name and date under each: (1) " Azure,
a chief or, over all a lion rampant ermine, GOLDWELL ; impaling,
Party per fess sable and gules three fleurs-de-lis argent, HOLLAND
of Solton, near Dover."—" Thomas Goldwell, ob. 1417."
(2) " GOLDWELL ; impaling, Or, a cross engrailed gules, a crescent
for difference, HAUT."—"Gulielmus Goldwell, ob. 1485." (3) "Party
per chevron sable and argent, three griffins' heads erased and counterchanged,
two and one, TOKE ; impaling, Or, a chevron between three
cinquefoils gules, CHICHELE. An escutcheon of pretence, GOLDWELL."—"
Johannes Toke, ob. 1468."*
The other brasses in this Chapel are upon ledger-stones. They
commemorate:—
5. JOHN TOKE, ob. 1513. He is represented in armour, between
his two wives. Mr. Belcherf says of this brass: " I t will be
observed that in the male efiigy, the cuirass, instead of being of its
usual globular form, is worked in front to a ridge, denominated the
tapul; and the pauldrons have passe-gardes pieces rising from the
shoulders to protect the neck; the sword-belt is altogether omitted."
The ladies are dressed exactly alike. Both wear long gowns, with
close-fitting bodices and sleeves, the latter having fur cuffs; the
girdles are loosely slung round the waist, and have long ends,
terminating with pendent ornaments below the knees. The hoods
are of angular form with long lappets. On a scroll above the heads
is" Sancta trinitas un' Deus miserere nofcis." At the foot were
three groups of children, but only the matrices remain. Eound the
margin is the following inscription: "©rate pro anima JFofjattMS
Softe armigeri, nuper De ©foDgngton isttus paroci) cujus cor=
pus JTaeet hie tumulatum; ac pro animahus l&argarete et
&twe urorttm suarum; que quiDem Margareta filia fuit
uatalts Dum uirit So.annis asaaltoorti) nuper tx eomitatu
* In the Toke Pedigree there is no John Toke who died in 1468. Thomas
Toke, who married 1st Joau Goldwell, and 2ndly Cecily, niece of Archbishop
Chichele, died in 1471. Perhaps a mistake was made by the engraver of this
restored shield.
t Kentish Brasses, p. 24..
TOL. XXVI, H
9 8 ANCIENT STAINED GLASS, ETC., IN THE
Suff; [the third part of the inscription is missing, but Weever
supplies it:] <&nna filia Johannis ©ngham De Singleton in
ista parocijia' qui toero Johannes &o»e ofctit toicesimo Die
Ittati anno Domini Millesimo quiugentessimo tercio Decimo;
quorum animahus propicietur rex altisstmus."
In the angles are coats of arms: (1) " On a chevron between
three greyhounds' heads erased three silver plates, TOKE." This is
an augmentation said to have been granted to this John Toke by
King Henry VIL for his speed in conveying a message to the King
of Erance. (2) "TOKE (the augmentation) ; impaling, A chevron
engrailed between two mullets with wavy points in chief and a garb
in base." (3) " TOKE (the augmentation); impaling, A chevron
between three pellets, on a chief a lion passant-guardant, ENOHAM."
(4) " ENGHAM ; impaling, Quarterly : 1 and 4, A saltire engrailed
between four martlets, GULDEEOBD ; 2 and 3, A chief, over all a
bend engrailed, HALDEN."
6. JOHN TOKE, ob. 1565, and his wife CECILY, ob. 1559. The
male figure is represented in armour with the head resting upon
the tilting helm. The skirt of mail appears under the jointed
taces, and the sword is slung at the back of the figure. The lady
wears a plain gown loosely gathered in at the waist, having tight
sleeves slashed and slightly puffed at the shoulders, a close fitting
cap, and small ruff.
At their feet is the following inscription : " f^CfC Igetij fcurgeD
Joint &ofte, 32squier, sonne fcijeger of Joint 2Fotte, lEsquier |
auD ©tsieg ins togff Daughter of Sr 2Tijomas Itempe, Htuggijt;
toinci) saiD Joiju | & &isleg ijaD gssu Joint, JFrauncis, Joint,
liicijolas, Bartilmetoe, Joijn, & llieijarD, I ptarg, iSit^aheti),
@Iare, & Jttargaret; anD tije segD Joint &ofte igtoeD .ere
69 gers | anD DgeD tije 7t. of i@Lonemher an D'ni 1565, anD tije
segD ©isieg IgbeD ijere 66 | gers anD DgeD ti)e 9flj of June
®,a D'ni 1559,