MIDHURST. (SS. Mary Magdalene and Denis.)
A report has been received that there was formerly armour in this church.
PETWORTH. (SS. Mary and Thomas.)
Helm, circa 1520 (vide ante, vol. ii, p. 119, Fig. 460). Tradition. This helm hangs over the tomb of Sir John Dawtrey, ob. 1527, on the north wall of the chapel of St. Thomas à Becket. The Baron de Cosson has called the editor's attention to the absence of rivets in this helm, as in the case of the helm sold in June 1921 at Messrs. Sotheby's, now in the collection of Mr. R. L. Scott, and writes: "I am inclined to think that these helms were bought for the funerals from armourers and unriveted, he perhaps keeping them so in case they need alteration to make them fit a purchaser." SEDLESCOMBE. (St. John the Baptist.) A report has been received that there is armour in this church. SLAUGHAM. (St. Mary.)
[Communicated by Colonel Mitchell.]
1. Helmet, XVIth century, crested, a leopard's face (Fig. 1770). 2. Helmet, XVIIth century, crested, a leopard's face (Fig. 1771). 3. Helmet, with spike, XVIth century (Fig. 1771). 4. Pair of gauntlets (Fig. 1771). Tradition. These helmets are associated with the family of Covert, and are suspended over a Covert monument (Fig. 1771). Arms. Gu. a fess erm. betw. three lions' heads erased or. (Covert.) Crest. A leopard's face or.
Cf. "N. and Q.," 5th series, x, p. 11.
WITHYHAM. (St. Michael and All Angels.)
The achievement once suspended in this church is now missing. In the Dorset chapel belonging to the Sackville family are many banners and shields.
Cf. "Sussex Arch. Coll.," xxxvii, p. 16.
A CHURCH IN SUSSEX.
Beardmore Catalogue of 1844, No. 12: "A suit of pikeman's armour found in the belfry of an old church in Sussex."
WARWICKSHIRE
ALCESTER. (St. Nicholas.)
[Communicated by Mr. W. H. Fenton, J.P.]
Helmet, funerary.
Tradition. None.
ASTLEY. (St. Mary.)
[Communicated by Mr. Wallis Cash.]
Armet, English, with wrapper, circa 1500, crested, the head of an ass, below an escutcheon bearing gu. an escutcheon arg. within an orle of eight mullets or (Chamberlayne) (Figs. 1772, a and b).
Tradition. The Chamberlain family.
The manor of Astley was granted to Edward Chamberlain of Sherborn, Oxford, temp. Queen Mary. Richard Chamberlain was in possession 1600-7. The manor descended to Richard and then to Edward (ob. s.p. circa 1656). There is no existing Chamberlain tomb or record of a Chamberlain burial, but there are no records of any burials prior to 1676. A Sir Richard Chamberlain is believed to have died 1654.
