By the banks of the Lambourn Gringolet bides
Resting and watching the reeds in the river
As I edge to that church where in past age
I knew a knight who kept these lands.
Fettiplace true sleeps tidy now,
His eyes in alabaster cast about
Yet nought they see for soul has passed.
Yet that fine effigy fast as stone
Makes in my mind him quick as men did know:
Loud laughing round the boar with ruddy lips,
His loyal servants sing of his success
And his wife with charm well warms won hearts!
Now at rest he reigns in royal peace
By Beatrice in this calm and blessed bower
To touch the hearts and souls of those like me
Who ride
Down old and ancient lanes
On tracks that we decide
In search of what remains
Of what our memory cannot hide.
St Thomas’ Church, the subject of this blog post, is found at East Shefford in the County of Berkshire. This delightful building is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
A detailed architectural assessment of the building can be found on this interesting site, the Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture.
Sir Gawain's World 