St. Mary, Aldworth, Berkshire

Description

The church of St. Mary is a building of flint and stone in mixed styles, chiefly in Decorated, consisting of chancel, nave, south aisle, south porch and a western tower with saddle-back roof and containing 3 bells and a sanctus bell; the north and south windows and a piscina in the chancel belong to the Decorated period, while the lately removed chancel screen and some bench ends are of late Perpendicular work: this church is well known as containing the famous tombs of the De la Beches, who were resident in this parish in the 14th century; these consist of eight altar-tombs bearing nine recumbent effigies, two being ladies, and the rest, with one exception, of knights in armour; six of the effigies lie under richly foliated ogee arches attached to the north and south walls; the figures, together with the slabs on which they repose, are each carved out of a single block of stone, excepting that in the middle of the church, which is in three pieces; the large figure to the east; in the north wall, represents Sir Philip de la Bèche, who was, according to tradition, over 7 feet in stature: floruit 1313-1329; the effigies on the altar tomb under the centre arcade at the east end represent Sir John, son of the aforesaid Philip, and Isabella his wife; the single figure in the middle of the same arcade probably represents Sir Nicholas de la Bèche, who died 1347, and who was constable of the Tower and tutor to the Black Prince; the effigies have, unfortunately, received much wilful injury, and on one, which has lost both hands and feet, may be seen the dates 1511, 1561, 1641 and 1706; they were celebrated even in the time of Queen Elizabeth, who herself came hither from Ewelme to inspect them; the de la Bèche family became extinct in the direct male line, probably by the death of Edmund de la Bèche, archdeacon of Berks, in 1371; the church has been partially restored at intervals from 1845 to 1878, under the direction of Mr. J. P. St. Aubyn, architect: there are 200 sittings: in the churchyard is a very ancient yew tree measuring 9 yards round the trunk, and supposed to be older than the church, indeed in Rock's "Church of Our Fathers," it is calculated to be over fifteen centuries since it was planted: Richard Graves, author of "The Spiritual Quixote," was curate here c. 1744-48.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1556.