Elsing, St Mary the Virgin

Location: Church Street, Elsing, Norfolk, NR20 3EA

Map

Website:

Opening Information: Open, if locked keyholder information is given.

History:

A church has stood on this location since Saxon times. The octagonal font has a canopy which dates from 1340, and may be the oldest canopy in existence.

Rectors:

1328 Richard de Shropham

1330 Mathew de Wygenhal

1361 John de Haldenby

1388 John Brun

Effigies:

Brasses:

Hugh Hastings, died 1347. A brass made to commemerate the safe return of Hugh from the French wars and was made around 1340. It was decorated with coloured glass and enamel, traces of the coloring can be seen today. A replica brass was made for brass rubbings to be taken by the Elsing Heritage Society, formed in 1979. The brass is 5ft 6" long with 2 agels holding his pillow, and he is surronded by mourning relatives:

Edward III, Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, Roger Grey Lord Ruthyn, Henry Plantagenet Earl of Leicester, Laurence Hastings the Earl of Pembroke and Ralph Stafford, Lord Stafford, Almeric Lord St Amand. The Weeper of Edward le Despencer has been remade from a picture found in the Church.

Hugh Hastings original Brass (left) and Hugh Hastings replica brass (right)

Wailers, Top Row Replica Images, Bottom Row Original Images

Almaric St Amand - King Edward III - Henry Plantagenet Earl of Leicester - Ralph Stafford - Roger Grey - Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick - Edward le Despencer - Laurence Hastings

St George scene from brass

Font Cover