Effigies on the move at St Illtud’s Church in Llantwit Major
Three stone effigies have been brought together into the north aisle of the East Church at St Illtud’s in Llantwit Major – marking one of the final stages in the Galilee Chapel Project.
The stone effigies were moved last month, freeing up more floor space in the West Church for church and community use. Two were moved from the West Church and the third from near the pulpit in the East Church.
The stone effigies were moved last month, freeing up more floor space in the West Church for church and community use. Two were moved from the West Church and the third from near the pulpit in the East Church.
The oldest is a semi-effigial slab, i.e., only the head is visible. The carving is of a man, presumably a priest. Could he be a monk from the Benedictine grange on the hill overlooking the church? Perhaps not, because the inscription on the base has been translated as, “Let not the stone be trodden on; let her who lies beneath be protected.” What is also unusual is three bands of Celtic carving in the stone.
The second is a coffin-shaped sepulchural slab of a layman, dressed in a long buttoned tunic, with a fur collar, holding a glove in his left hand. It dates from the fourteenth century, and may have been a merchant or a morial official.
The second is a coffin-shaped sepulchural slab of a layman, dressed in a long buttoned tunic, with a fur collar, holding a glove in his left hand. It dates from the fourteenth century, and may have been a merchant or a morial official.
The third effigy is of an Elizabethan lady, wearing what was then high fashion at court towards the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, an elaborate embroidered gown in Venetian style. At her head is an infant, indicating that she died in childbirth. She is thought to be Joan, the wife of Richard Hopkins, the bailiff of the manor around 1580.
Part of the Heritage plan for the church is to open out the West Church for wider community and church use, with improved disabled access and welcoming facilities. The Galilee Chapel project development can be seen at www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk
Pictures show the stone effigies
For more details, please contact
Alison Young
Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 01656 868865; mobile: 07825 337437 or Email
Part of the Heritage plan for the church is to open out the West Church for wider community and church use, with improved disabled access and welcoming facilities. The Galilee Chapel project development can be seen at www.illtudsgalileechapel.org.uk
Pictures show the stone effigies
For more details, please contact
Alison Young
Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 01656 868865; mobile: 07825 337437 or Email
