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Lowdham
St Mary

Monuments and Memorials

Medieval Monuments

There are two principal medieval monuments in the church:

Effigy of Sir John de Ludham

The whole effigy

The upper half, showing the shield and mail

Detail of one of the praying figures next to the head

The lower half, showing the creature at the feet

This is presently in the north-west corner of the church. He is clothed in chain mail with caps on the knees which conform with the date of his death in 1318. The lower right leg has been cut away.

Lawrence and Routh (1924) provide a detailed description of the effigy:

'This fine effigy is shown with a round topped cerveliêre under the coif of mail, which hangs over the surcoat in front. The head is bound with a fillet ornamented with roses. The hands are joined in prayer, and the wrists are secured with straps. The long tag of the girdle which confines the surcoat hangs down the right side. The hauberk is slit up the front, and shows beneath it the lower edge of the quilted gambeson. The knee-caps are ridged down the front, and the feet rest on a finely-carved lion. The sword-belt is ornamented with transverse bars and studs of metal. The shield bears the arms of Lowdham, argent a bend azure crusily or. On the right side of the slab on which the effigy rests an inscription is carved in Norman-French, forming a rhyming couplet:—

At either side of the cushion on which the knight’s head rests are carved small figures of ecclesiastics (probably friars) reading from books.'

Alabaster slab

Alabaster slab with the figure of a priest

Detail of the upper part of the slab

There is an incised alabaster slab showing an unknown priest. This has in recent years been raised off the floor and fixed to the south wall of the chancel. It was outlined in black paint. This and the vestments put the date between 1490 and 1530. Greenhill puts the date at 1530. Unfortunately, the lettering at the base is indecipherable both on the slab and on Greenhill’s 1935 rubbing.

Baylay (1908) gives a detailed description:

'The chasuble is of ample size, and reaches down to the feet behind. The arrangement of the orphreys is peculiar, the so-called Y cross being repeated at the lower part of the front in an inverted position. There is no doubt that these orphreys merely concealed joinings in the material of the vestment. The apparel of the alb in front is set some distance up from the bottom hem ; this is unusual. The stole is somewhat short, and almost entirely concealed by the chasuble. The maniple is evidently thrown loosely over the left arm, and not fastened. A chalice and a missal appear on either side of the priest's head, as emblems of his calling.'

Chancel, south wall, close to the Priest’s door

Monuments to members of the Broughton family

Two associated inscription plaques, with two (slightly damaged) designs above them.

The associated monuments to members of the Broughton family

Inscription to Charles and Ann Broughton

Inscription to Mary Broughton

The left-hand inscription reads:

Here lyeth the body of Charles Broughton: ~ Who was ye youngest Son of peter Broughton Esq. of lowdham:he dyed may:31st:anno dom 1688 In the 21st year of his age: ~~ Here also lyeth Ann Broughton: Sister of ye Deceased Charles Broughton: she dyed june y e 21st anno dom 1714: in the 47 year of her Age: both dyed of Consumption.

The right-hand inscription is as follows:

Chancel floor, south side

The following are listed from the east:

Ellison & Challand Memorial

The upper part of the inscription

The lower part of the inscription

Here Lic interr’d the bodies of Joshua Ellison Of Nottingham gent And Elizabeth his wife She departed this life January the 22 1715 Aged LIII He dyed the 16th August 1716 Aged LXX ALSO Near this place lieth the body of Ann Challand Mother of William Challand Late of Loudham Dy’d March the 4th 1741 Aged XCV

Kirkbride Memorial

The inscription on the Kirkbride memorial stone

JOHN KENNETH KIRKBRIDE 1896 - 1962 in evivs memoriam hanc effigiem pietatis cavsa svremovendam hvnc in locum cvravit vxor

Memorial to William Challand

Memorial to two members of the Broughton family, both named Peter

Inscribed on stone is:

PETRUS BROUGHTON·AP OB·MAIJ·30·AETA·38 A:D: 1702

and beneath on an inserted brass plate:

Memorial to Thomas Broughton

Memorial to another Peter Broughton

Chancel, north wall

Brass plate in memory of Mary Westmoreland

1832 - 1937 TO THE MEMORY OF MARY WESTMORELAND WHO GLORIFIED GOD TO THE END OF HER LONG LIFE, GIVING LIGHT TO ALL WHO SPOKE WITH HER She lived at Caythorpe Her body is buried in this churchyard

Brass to the family of Cecil Foljambe

Brass to the family of Cecil Foljambe

IN MEMORY OF HIS ANCESTORS OF THE FAMILY OF LOUDHAM OF THIS PLACE BURIED IN THIS CHURCH AND ALSO IN MEMORY OF HIS BELOVED WIFE LOUISA BLANCH WHO DIED 7 OCT 1871 AGED 29 AND IS BURIED AT SOFTON IN THIS COUNTY THIS BRASS IS ERECTED BY CECIL GEORGE SAVILLE FOLJAMBE OF COCKGLODE

Above the lectern

Tablet to John Henry Browne

Beside the priest’s chair:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF THE REV JOHN HENRY BROWNE.B.A. FOR FIFTY YEARS VICAR OF THIS PARISH, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE OCTOBER 11TH 1891, AGED 74 YEARS. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS SORROWING PARISHIONERS, IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF HIS FAITHFUL SERVICE “THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE HAD IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE”