Any person might naturally be led to suppose, on seeing the many costly and
learned works which, within the last few years, have appeared on the
subject of monumental brasses, that their value was now fully appreciated,
and that all due care was taken to ensure their preservation, or at least
prevent their wanton destruction. But, unhappily, such is far from being
the case; and though rubbings of brasses are to be found in every
antiquarian society, and in the possession of very many private
individuals, the churchwardens and other parties on whom their preservation
principally depends, are for the most part wilfully blind to their
importance as historical memorials, and with impunity allow them to be
mutilated or stolen. In many of our country, and I may also add town
churches, are these interesting records of the dead stowed away as useless
lumber in the vestry, or hidden by some ugly modern pew. The writer wishes
to make known, through the medium of your valuable journal, some instances
which have fallen under his own observation, in the hope that those who
read may make some exertions to rectify such acts of desecration were they
have already occurred, and to prevent their future recurrence.
To begin, then, with the most important as regards the loss incurred by the
antiquary, though all show an equal want of good feeling and neglect of
things sacred, I will first offer the substance of a few notes taken during
a recent excursion to Cobham, Kent. The brasses in this church have long
been noted as presenting some of the most interesting early examples of
this species of monument, extending from the year 1320 to 1529. They
exemplify almost every variety of costume that prevailed during that
period, executed with the most artistic skill, and accompanied with the
most elegant accessories in the shape of canopies, brackets, and
allegorical designs. Imagine, then, the feelings of the antiquary, who,
upon approaching the chancel where most of these brasses lie, finds that it
is flooded with water! The roof has gradually fallen to decay, and the Earl
of Darnley, whose property the chancel is, has refused to repair it. And
yet this same nobleman can spend thousands of pounds in adorning his seat,
Cobham Hall, the ancient domain of the family, in whose commemoration most
of these brasses are laid down. I may also here mention that part of the
rood-screen which forms the back of the earl's pew has been glazed, in
order, I suppose, to keep out the damp of the chancel, while a portion on
the other side has been entirely cut away. This is by far the most flagrant
case of neglect which I have ever witnessed; but there are several minor
instances which well demand exposure. At Mendlesham, Suffolk, is a fine
large figure of John Knyvet, Esq., in armour, almost entirely concealed by
a pew passing up the whole length of the brass. Now, for a very little
expense, the slab might be removed and laid down again the chancel. At
Polstead, in the same county, is a small brass of a civilian and family,
date about 1490, hidden in the same manner; and a figure of a priest in the
chasuble, lying loose in the vestry. Also at Little Waldingfield is a brass
in memory of Robert Appleton and wife, 1526, of which the male figure is
covered by a pew. In Upminster Church, Essex, were found, not very long
since, during the progress of some alterations, two loose female figures
under the flooring of a pew, which are still left to be tossed about in the
vestry. One is an elegant figure of a lady in heraldic mantle and horned
head-dress, with a dog at her feet, date about 1450, the other about 1630.
At St. James's, Colchester, the head of a figure was long left loose, till
at last it has been stolen. And, to conclude, pews have lately been built
over two brasses at Margate, one of which is an early example of a
skeleton. To these instances, which have fallen under my own observation, I
doubt not that every collector can add several others of the same
description; but these are sufficient to show the wide extent of the evil,
and the necessity of correction.