FARLEIGH HUNGERFORD. (The Chapel of Castle.)
[Communicated with photograph by Mr. Wallis Cash.]
1. Close helmet, of the late XVIth century, barred, said to be a church helmet.
Tradition. None. There is a large quantity of armour still left in the chapel (Fig. 1721), consisting of helmets, body armour, swords (including a double-handed sword), and hafted weapons. Originally there were 140 helmets, many of which were burgonets. There are now 43 cabassets, 5 morions, 3 casques, 20 pikes, a number of halberds, breastplates, tassets, and gorgets of pikemen, etc. In the window of the parish church there is a portrait of Sir Thomas Hungerford (ob. 1398) wearing a bascinet. Cf. ante Exeter, s.n; "Country Life," 26 November 1921, article by Mr. H. Tipping, who gives illustrations of the chapel and tombs; J. E. Jackson, "A Guide to Farleigh Hungerford," 1879. ILMINSTER. (St. Mary.)
[Communicated with photographs by Mr. Wallis Cash.]
1. Close helmet, 1575-80, with gorget of 1620 added; crested, a cock (Fig. 1722a). The helmet hangs in the south transept and is painted gray with gilt mezeil. 2. Close helmet, made of wood, XVIIth century, crested, a cock (Fig. 1722b). The helmet hangs in the Combe aisle. Tradition. Associated with the Combe family. 3. Close helmet, late XVIth century, crested, a rose (which is carved on each side) (Fig. 1723a). 4. Close helmet, late XVIth century, crested, a rose. The rose is carved on one side only (Fig. 1723b). The above hang in the south transept. Tradition. Associated with the Wadham family (arms: gu. a chevron betw. three roses arg.). The first with the funeral of Nicholas Wadham, who, together with his wife Dorothy (ob. 1618), founded Wadham College, Oxford; the second with that of John Wadham, whose will was proved 1577/8, the father of Nicholas. There is a place in the wall which is supposed to have once held a tablet to the memory of John Wadham, father of Nicholas, died 1577, who married Joan, daughter and co-heiress of John Tregarthin of Cornwall. John Wadham was the son of Sir William Wadham, ob. 1541. The first helmet is high above the monument to Sir William Wadham, ob. 1452, who was the traditional builder of the Wadham transept and the tower. His mother is also buried in the tomb. The inscription on the tomb of Nicholas Wadham is: "Here lyeth the body of Nicholas Wadham . . . of Merefield in the county of Somerset, Esquire, founder of Wadham College in Oxford, who departed thys lyfe ye xx day of Octob. 1609" (Fig. 1724). Catherston Leweston, a place of no present interest near to Whitchurch, was for long the seat of the Wadhams. Sir Nicholas Wadham lived at Merefield: "His house was like an Inn at all times, and like a Court at Christmas." Arms. Gu. a chevron betw. three roses arg. (Wadham.) Crest. The attires of a buck or, betw. the attires a rose arg.
KITTISFORD. (St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.)
[Communicated with photograph by Mr. Wallis Cash.]
1. Close helmet, with plume holder, Charles I period; weight, 8 lbs (1725a).
2. Skull-piece, with spike, third quarter of XVIth century (1725b).
3. Skull-piece, once had a spike, with plume holder, James I period (1725c).
4. Chin-piece, engraved and gilt (1725d).
5, 6, and 7. Pieces of a helmet.
8. Two pieces of a mezeil.
9. Part of a visor.
Tradition. The armour was found in a lead coffin, which was dug up in 1864 when the chancel was enlarged, according to the report of an inhabitant of eighty years of age, but it is clear that the helmets with spikes once had crests and are church helmets, and the tradition is probably without foundation.
Members of the Bluett family are buried in this church.
