Devonshire ezine Spring 19

DEVON CHURCH LAND ...continued
Turning around we come back to
human glory with this sober suited
family painted on board up on the
north wall of the chancel; Hugh and
Sabina Staplehill (died 1583 - see bottom
last page) and their children at prayer.
Their faces are very individual, their
clothes not so much. Hugh does have
a very impressive hat next to him, and
the coats of arms refer to the union of
his and his wife’s families. The bible
is open on the prayer stand with the
words:
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord
and walk in his ways: For thou shalt eat
the labour of thine hands. Oh well is
thee and happy shalt thou be: Thy wife
shall be as the fruitful vine upon the
walls of thine house
Psalm 128
in the local parishes as well as building
two almshouses in Trusham.
It is a remarkable piece of work. The
memorial is wood painted to resemble
marble (a man frugal with his money
indeed, no surprise he made his
fortune) and the portraits…well the
portraits bring the age to life. 1697 is
the date of the memorial, and John and
Elizabeth had lived through turbulent
times, from the Civil War through the
Great Plague of 1665 to William of
Orange’s 1688 successful invasion of
England that started in South Devon
with 463 ships and 15,000 men.
They do look a very careful and modest
couple and it would be fascinating to
listen to their thoughts on these events,
but they look as if they guarded their
tongues as wisely as they guarded
their money.
determined and heaven help anyone
who gets in their way (though heaven
probably will not, to be realistic). We know
one is going to save the world and the
other will stick with him to the end
and out the other side. These are two
folk who will fulfil their mission.
Nineteenth century as all the glass
is here.
One of the 'Songs of Ascent’, possibly
sung by pilgrims ascending to
Jerusalem or the priestly singers as
they ascended the fifteen steps to the
temple. A good choice for those who
were going to meet their God as well
as for those who lived their life in the
world of God, as this family seems to
have done.
On the east wall of the aisle there is
this beauty, a memorial to John and
Mary Stooke looking a fine devout
couple and possibly painted from life.
John made his fortune as a clothier -
someone who worked in the making
and marketing of cloth - and left a
pretty penny to a number of charities
We meet some good stained glass in
this church too, though the expression
on this lamb’s face seems to be one
of slight befuddlement rather than
holiness. Jesus’ face is interesting too;
not a traditionally handsome face,
but the face of anyman as well as one
who has seen far too much suffering
and pain in the world yet is still full
of compassion.
On the other hand the faces on this
Virgin and Child seem to be ultra
Meanwhile the Norman font sits calmly
watching the generations come and
go. Is that a cross scratched on it on
the upper left? That stout top cinched
in by the belt of roll moulding like
the stomach of a hefty Devon farmer,
the scars and erosions of age and
use…when the visitors leave and dusk
creeps in it discusses the lives of the
parishioners baptised here and the
love that it has seen with the church.
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