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Sonning Church
Some Interesting Monuments
Much
of the historical interest of Sonning Church lies in the monuments to the
good and the great who lie interred within its walls. Being such a large
parish, there were many great houses within the church's catchment area
whose residents saw fit to raise, to their memories, handsome monuments
adorned with both their portraits and their coats of arms. The building
has thus become a treasure house for the student of costume and heraldry.
Many
monuments were moved from their original position during the major
restoration works undertaken in 1852; and a number have, sadly, been lost
completely, as revealed by Elias Ashmole in his "Antiquities of
Berkshire" (1664).
In
the Choir
On the floor of the choir
are monumental brasses to members of the Barker (Anthony
1546, William 1549,
William 1575, Anthony
1639), Fitton, Staverton,
Frognall & Chute families. The Barker brasses were once to be found in
the chancel and their burial vault lies beneath.
In
the North Aisle
On the wall are monuments to members of
the Hubbard, Knyvett, Bagnall, Roberts, Clarke,
Williams & Blagrave
families, as well as to Lord Stowell, Viscountess Sidmouth, Canon Pearson &
Robert Wright, the Bishop of Bristol & Lichfield and sometime (1605) Vicar of
Sonning. On the floor of the North Aisle are monumental slabs to members
of the Billinghurst, Payn(e), Wilder, Corbett & Hooke families. The
eastern chapel, now occupied by the vestry, was dedicated to the Blagrave
family and their burial vault lies beneath.
In
the South Aisle
On the wall are monuments to members of the Rich, Barker, Litcott,
Witherington, Woodroffe, Clifford & Golding(e) families. On the floor
of the South Aisle are monumental slabs to members of the Cockayne,
Clifford, Payn(e) & Golding(e) families, as well as Lord Stowell &
Viscountess Sidmouth. The eastern chapel, now occupied by the organ, was
dedicated to the Rich family and their burial vault lies beneath.
On
the West Wall
The west wall bears monuments to members of the Knyvett & Palmer families. Under the
Tower is a monument to Sir Thomas Rich.
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