Sir Henry Frekylton was Chantry Chaplain of St Michael's Aldbourne from 1460 and received sixteen shillings a year. He was Chaplain until 1508, the year of his death. He must have been well regarded by the good citizens of Aldbourne as a memorial brass was inserted in the floor paving of the Chancel in his memory. His effigy is clothed in Eucharistic vestments; lying beside it is a Mass Book, such as was used at the altar. The brass includes the following inscription, a translation of which is: - "Pray for the soul of Sir Henry Frekylton formerly Chaplain of this Chantry who died on the 10th month of September AD 1508 on whose soul may God have mercy - Amen".

A Chantry was based on the idea that pending final judgement there was a time in Purgatory. A sum of money was given in advance of one's death either to establish a special chapel or to give to clergy to chant masses for the soul in Purgatory.

The Chantry Chapel of St Michael's was established in 1460 on the North side of the Church as the Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is now the Lady Chapel. The Reformation (1533-1558) soon after Sir Henry's death meant that the Chantry Chapel was dissolved in 1546 amid a catastrophic upheaval for the Church. A niche was built in the East wail for 'Our Lady of Aldbourne', and a 'squint', an oblique opening, cut between the Chapel and Chancel. The purpose of the 'squint' was to enable the Chantry Chaplain to observe what was going on in the main Church and to stop chanting when the priest was at the High Altar. The Chantry Chapel was partitioned off from the main body of the Church by a timber screen. Part of this medieval screen, which had been much restored, was still in place ten years ago until it was removed along with the choir stalls, altar rail and brass lectern.

During the work to the Church when the screen was removed, the unsafe Chancel floor was boarded over and carpeted and the brass to Sir Henry Frekylton was covered over. Little regard was taken to the importance of this brass to the Village of Aldbourne.

As the then Secretary of the Civic Society, I endeavoured to save the brass during the restoration of the Church ten years ago, but no record by as made by those in charge of the position of the brass or whether it was properly protected. Over the last ten years I have attempted to resolve the matter without success.

The Registrar of the Diocese of Salisbury wrote on the 23rd August 1996 "A Petition was lodged in the Consistory Court by the Incumbent and Churchwardens of Aldbourne. It was eventually approved and a faculty issued on the 25th July 1989. One item approved was the dais mentioned in your letter but I can find no reference in the petition and the supporting documents to the brass of Sir Henry Frekylton".

On 3rd February this year I enlisted the help of a metal detector and a strong signal indicated the possible position of the brass.

English Heritage has written to say that they are surprised and concerned about the situation and the Diocese of Salisbury Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches is investigating.

It is very much hoped that the indifference of a few local people will eventually be overcome and that there will be a satisfactory solution for the preservation and appreciation of the Sir Henry Frekylton Memorial. If or when the work is carried out there will be no cost to the Parochial Church Council.

Cecil Newton

IN RESPONSE

Worshipping in an old church such as St Michael's, one cannot but be impressed by the love and devotion to God, shown by gifts and memorials handed down to us. One aspect of this is illustrated by Mr Newton's article on Sir Henry Frekylton and a reminder of how part of St Michael's Church building was used prior to the reformation.

Having checked with the Church Wardens and other PCC members at the time of the renovation in 1990, there is every reason to believe the brass is safe in place beneath the current Chancel floor. A brass rubbing was made before the current Chancel floor was build. This can be seen in the Lady Chapel along with a note of where the brass lies. There is a similar note in the Church Inventory. More importantly, we include mention of the Frekylton Brass in the Church Guide.

Both the PCC of 1990 and the current PCC are happy in principle to have the brass on display, provided suitable funds are made available and that it does not detract from the current use of the Chancel. However, the current state Church finances means we will not be able to consider this option until the Chancel carpet needs replacing. In the meantime, the brass should not come to any harm under the current chancel floor. After all, it is protected from feet walking over it.

David Robinson The Dabchick

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