A special day for me w the Monumental Brass Society in Ardingley, Sussex, where I became the first female President in the Society's 136 year history. Fittingly the church is home to many brasses of women (here the 15thC Wakehurst sisters, abducted by fortune hunting brothers).
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Wakehurst sisters (Margaret & Elizabeth) are good lesson in how hard it is to uncover the true experiences of medieval women when we only hear their stories told by others: were they raped & forcibly married or did they collude in a desired match against the wishes of a guardian?
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There were also some excellent Tudor & Stuart brasses to later descendants of those sisters. Particularly enjoyed
@ChalleHudson
's talk on female costume, materials & how early modern people used clothing to project status. Heartbreaking tiny effigy of 7 y.o.
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Best brass for me tops the tomb chest to immediate north of high altar - to Richard & Elizabeth Wakehurst (Eliz was her granddaughters' guardian when they were abducted). It's a beautiful surviving piece, dating just before 1500. Lovely heraldry and canopy.
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Brasses are excellent sources for all kind of enquiry, so if you're researching women or merchants, language or religion, family & power, early industry, or costume, armour, jewellery & liturgical objects, brasses are a source you should consider!
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They form arguably the UK's greatest native art collection & they're in situ in a church near you. To learn more about what the MBS does to study, conserve & promote the appreciation of brasses - or to join us at a future event or become a member! - see .
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@ChurchMonuments
Thank you - hope the two societies can do more collaborative events and projects in years ahead!
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@SallyBadham
Thank you, Sally - very honoured to have that from one of the most important brass scholars of the last 50 years!
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