Group of three monuments 2m north of Church of St Matthew

Summary

This group of chest tombs includes an early example from the C17 and two which date from the C18. Their design is fittingly restrained, and two have legible inscriptions recording the names of the individuals buried here which provides valuable information about the population of Wookey during the C17 and C18.

Reasons for Designation

The three chest tombs to the north of the vestry of the Church of St Matthew are listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest:

* although its cover slab has been replaced, the C17 tomb is a particularly early survival, while the C18 tombs, despite the loss of part of one, are restrained but good examples of funerary structures from this period.

Historic interest:

* two of the tombs record the names of the individuals and serve as a valuable record of Wookey during the C17 and C18.

Group value:

* with each other and with other listed chest tombs and monuments in the churchyard, and with the Grade I listed church.

History

The village of Wookey is situated to west of the cathedral city of Wells. Its parish church, dedicated to St Matthew (listed Grade I), was founded in the Norman period and was granted to the Dean of Wells by Bishop Robert, and includes C13 and C14 fabric but is substantially of C15 date, with a mid-C19 restoration. The churchyard may have been in use since medieval times (Somerset Historic Environment Record).

Among the graves in the churchyard is a group of three chest tombs which are situated on the north side of the church. One of the tombs dates from the mid-C17 and is that of the Reverend Thomas Mydleham, a vicar of Wookey who died in 1647; its cover slab has been replaced. A dedication on the side of the tomb, although illegible in places, is likely to be for Hannah Crooker, Thomas’ daughter, who died in 1622. The second tomb dates from the late C18 and is that of Martha Band, nee Wright, and her husband Edward, who died in 1776 and 1784 respectively. The third, which is probably also C18, is of an unknown dedication, and is recorded as partially collapsed in 1987 (date of listing).

The three tombs form part of a wider grouping of monuments within the churchyard.

Details

A group of three chest tombs in the churchyard of the Church of St Matthew. They are situated on the north side of the church, about 2m north of the vestry. The earliest tomb is mid-C17 and the other two are C18.

DESCRIPTION: the tombs are of dressed stone, probably limestone. From south to north, the tomb nearest the church has an oblong chest with a replacement cover slab upon which is inscribed in raised lettering: THE TOMB / OF / THOMAS MYDLEHAM / VICAR OF THIS PARISH / 1595 – 1647. An inscription to the south face of the chest is badly decayed but most probably records the death of Hannah Crooker, daughter of Thomas, who died in 1622. The middle tomb of Edward and Martha Band has a chamfered plinth, pilasters to side panels, a moulded cornice and a projecting, dressed cover slab with moulded edges. On the east face is a weathered inscription which is only partly legible. The third tomb is also probably C18 and of unknown dedication. It had collapsed prior to 1987 (date of listing), and its chamfered cover slab has been placed directly on top of the moulded plinth; the chest slabs are missing. No inscriptions are visible.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

268180

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Websites
23008: Church of St Matthew and churchyard, Wookey, Somerset Historic Environment Record, accessed 9 April 2025 from https://www.somersetheritage.org.uk/record/23008

End of official list entry

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