All Saints Ashwellthorpe, Ashwellthorpe
Open daily dawn to dusk.805 (Wymondham - East Carleton)
The tall 15th century windows of the nave give All Saints' Church a lofty appearance and light the wide nave beautifully. The church was restored and re-roofed in slate in 1861. The Perpendicular porch is adorned with an 18th century Dutch gable. The coloured armorial font was presented by the Knyvetts in 1660. Other points of interest inside include the elaborately carved 17th century Italian chest (notice the soldiers and tent), the 14th century door knocker and the Stuart table. The treasure of the church is the beautiful alabaster tomb to Sir Edmund de Thorpe who died in 1417 in Normandy whilst fighting for Henry V and his wife Lady Joan. Sir Edmund's impressive moustache overlaps his helmet and he lays nobly on a helm and plume. Lady Joan wears a wide headdress and her pillow is supported by two angels. Two dogs sit at her feet; one has a particularly smug look on its face and the other has her hem in its mouth. Four angels surround the tomb holding the family crest. Sir Edmund and Lady Joan wear a collar of Ss, a type of livery collar signifying high status. Unfortunately the tomb has been defaced with graffiti over the centuries. In the sanctuary, notice the 13th century grave slab. An interesting memorial remembers Major Knyvet Wilson of the Inniskilling Regiment who died in 1796 fighting the French in St Lucia.
Incorrect information? Update this entry