The Medieval brasses

Some of our many brass rubbings of Medieval people which provide the children with a primary source of evidence for the armour and costume of the middle ages.

Sir Robert de Bures d.1302 Acton, Suffolk In this life-size memorial, which is still in excellent condition, Robert wears chain mail armour under his surcoat together with chain mail mittens. The burrs on his shield are a simple visual pun on his name 'Bures' which itself probably arises from his origins in the village of Bures in Suffolk. His pointed feet are a particularly Medieval fashion. A self-made man, Robert joined the kings army as a trooper and gradually worked his way up. He served Edward I and became one of his most trusted retainers.

Bishop Wyville d.1375 Salisbury Cathedral This somewhat complicated image depicts the bishop over a man at arms who is standing beneath the portcullis of Sherborne Castle. This figure is seen standing on a valuable rabbit warren, complete with rabbits which in medieval times were an important source of food and fur.. The brass commemorates a dispute in 1355 between the bishop and the Earl of Salisbury over the ownership of the castle which had originally been built as the home of the Bishops of Salisbury. The Earl refused payment for the castle and offered to settle the matter by single combat, which was an accepted way of settling land disputes in the 14th C. Each of the participants chose a champion, but in the pre-fight inspection, the bishop's man was found to be cheating by having prayers written on parchment under his armour. In the re-match, the Earl's man did not turn up, so the bishop won by default.

Lord and Lady Dallynggrygges d.1380 – 90 Fletching, East Sussex Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward to be the new home of the Dalyngrigge family who owned land at Dalling Ridge in East Sussex. The family's coat of arms can be seen on the knight's jupon or leather tunic, and it also features on the central stone shield above the main gate of Bodium Castle. Sir Edward was a favourite of Richard II and became rich through ransom money gained in the fighting at Crecy and Poitiers in France. The lion at his feet is a testament to his bravery. Lady Dalyngrigge is depicted wearing the typical costume and headdress of the late 14thC and is shown with a pet dog at her feet. The dog symbolised faithfulness.