SDO15348 - The Puddletown Medieval Monuments: Description and Art Historical Context

‘This report sets out the findings of a study of the six medieval monuments in the south chapel of St Mary’s Puddletown and is intended to inform any decisions to be mad regarding their conservation. This has revealed the importance of these monuments in both their regional context and at the national level. The c.1300 Ham Hill stone knight and lady, in the south west corner, appear to have been preserved by being incorporated into a monument of the late 16th century. They are an interesting early example of the consequences of post reformation antiquarianism. The only surviving example of a 14th century, Ham Hill stone, figural tomb panel supports the knight of c. 1360, beneath the south window. For more than a 100 years it would have been the chapel’s principal monument. The figure has been propped up at the back, presumably to minimise the space it occupies. The one fine double alabaster tomb has also been removed from its original position, mutilated and crammed into the south east corner. Two sides of the chest remain beneath the effigies and the other two are now mounted on the walls behind them. This tomb, dating from c. 1470, can be compared with alabaster monuments elsewhere in England. It would originally have been placed centrally in the chapel and the surviving details shows that it was of high quality. A fine canopied tomb of Purbeck marble with an alabaster knight occupies the entrance to the chapel. It dates from just before 1485 and is a rare survival of this type of monument, there being only two other closely comparable tombs, at Melbury Sampford. The effigy holds shield of a type no longer extant and which is not shown on any other military effigy in England. This monument is of national importance.'