In the Sanctuary and to the north eastern corner behind the altar is a brass of a Chrysom child.
This is to Thomas Greville, the infant son of Giles Greville who died in 1492. The Chrisom or Chrism robe was used at his baptism and would usually be returned a month or so later when mother and child came to church for purification, but by then Thomas had already died and so the chrism robe was used as a shroud.
The effigy is only 7 ½ inches high. It is completely swaddled, with the exception of its face, and bound round with ornamented banding.
The inscription (on a plate 10 ½ by 5 inches) is placed below the figure
and reads as follows:
Here lythe the bodi of Thoms Grevile, Son
Of Gilis Grevile, of London, mchaunt, borne
in the conte of Gloc. Gentilman; whiche
Thoms discessyd in his tendyr Age, the viii
Day of Marche, the yere of oure Lord God, A
1492; on whoos soule Ihu haue mcy.
The formation of the “4” in the date is peculiar, and the use of Arabic numerals to indicate the year is remarkable at an early date. These numerals did not come into general use until some time later.
Above the figure is a small shield of arms (measuring 3 ¼ by 2 ¾ inches).
