Aldworth, St Mary's

Location: Bell Lane, Aldworth, Berkshire, RG8 9SB, UK

Map

Website:

Opening Information: Open Daily, June 2005

History: The Church dates from the 12th Century and contains the tombs of the de la Bache family. The Yew in the churchyard is said to be older than the church.

Vicars:

Effigies:

Sir Robert de la Beche, 1278 knighted by Edward I. Carved between 1300 and 1350.

Sir John de la Beche son of Sir Robert de la Beche.

Sir Phillip de la Beche 1st son of Sir John de la Beche Sir Phillip married Lady Joan de la Beche née de la Zouche. Sheriff of Berkshire and Oxfordshire 1313-1314. Valet to Edward II and is shown by a mantle over embossed armour. Sir Phillip was said to have been 7ft tall. Sir phillip had 6 sons, John, Phillip, Nicholas, Edmun, Robert, Edward and 1 daughter Joan. In 1322 Sir Phillip and his sons took part in the rebellion led by Thomas Earl of Lancaster and were defeated at the battle of Boroughbridge. In the year 1322 Sir Phillip was jailed with his sons as a rebel, but was pardoned by Edward III in 1327. Sir Phillip died in 1336.

Lady Joan de la Beche née de la Zouche wife of Sir Philip de la Beche, effigy was originally from the nave. 14th Century.

Sir John de la Beche, 1st son of Sir Philip de la Beche and Lady Joan de la Beche née de la Zouche. Married Lady Isabella de la Beche née de Elmridge. 1316 Knight of Berkshire and keeper of Winchester castle. 1322 Edward II committed him to the Tower of London and in 1327 was pardoned by Edward III. Sir John died in 1328.

Lady Isabella de la Beche née de Elmridge wife of Sir John de la Beche. Together with Sir Nicholas de la Beche, she founded the South Aisle between 1330 and 1340. Canopies in the south Aisle carried her seal. Her effigy has no head. The damage results from the 1650's.

Sir Philip de la Beche 2nd son of Sir Philip de la Beche and Lady Joan de la Beche née de la Zouche. Imprisoned in Scarborough castle in 1322, pardoned by Edward III 1327. Sheriff of Berkshire and Oxfordshire 1332-1333. Philip died in 1327.

Sir Nicholas de la Beche 3rd son of Sir Philip de la Beche and Lady Joan de la Beche née de la Zouche. Constable of the Tower of London and custodian to Edward of Woodstock, the eldest son of Edward III. Sir Nicholas also held the title of Senechal of Gascony. Sir Nicholas was permitted to crenellate his manor 1 mile to the south of the Church, by Edward III. Together with Lady Isabella de la Beche née de Elmridge wife of Sir John de la Beche, he founded the south Aisle of the church between 1330 and 1340. Died 1346/8.

John de la Beche, 2nd son of Sir John de la Beche and Lady Isabella de la Beche née de Elmridge. Sir John married Lady Isabella. died 1340, age 20. The effigy is recumbent without armour and a dog at his feet. The arms, legs and head are missing, the damage resulting from the 1650's.

In 1644 they were described as John long, John strong, John ever afraid, and John never afraid. It was said that John ever afraid was buried within the Church walls to escape the devil who would claim him if he was buried within the church or without. This effigy within the walls existed at this time.

Brasses: None