After the nave at Eastwell church, Kent collapsed in 1951, the monuments were relocated to @V_and_A. During dismantling, conservators found that animal bones had been used as ties between masonry elements in the monument to Sir Thomas and Katherine Moyle (c.1560)

#thread

The Moyle monument is a tomb chest of Caen stone, with fluted pilasters creating niches emblazoned with coats of arms. The heraldry wasn’t painted, but rather, details were picked out with small pieces of stone inlay.

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Perhaps the grandest monument from Eastwell, is that to Sir Moyle and Lady Elizabeth Finch. When Moyle died, Elizabeth was one of the wealthiest women in the country. She bought herself a peerage and her son, Heneage, a knighthood. Of course, her monument reflects her status.
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The alabaster base, has serpentine panels, and carries life-size recumbent effigies in Carrara marble. Carved by Sir Nicholas Stone in about 1630, Moyle Finch wears armour and his eyes are closed. Lady Elizabeth is dressed in a buttoned bodice and falling ruff. Her eyes are open.

This monument originally had an elaborate canopy. This was removed in 1756, over fears it was unstable, but luckily, a drawing of it survives in the Society of Antiquaries’ archive.

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The @V_and_A also took the half-length effigy to Heneage Finch, and the marble monument to Emily Georgiana, Lady Winchilsea, which was carved in Rome in 1850 by Lawrence MacDonald.

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Four of the monuments from Eastwell church are on permanent display at the @V_and_A . We are so glad they could be given a proper home.

The lakeside, ruined church has been in our care since 1980.

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All colour photos of monuments in this thread are (c) Victoria & Albert Museum.