John E. Vigar MA, FSA Scot., FRSA

Ledgerstones

LEDGERSTONES are a familiar sight in our churches but are frequently dismissed as boring or less important than other features. However I want to tell you why I feel they are so exciting and what clues they give us.

In these days of church reordering ledgerstones are frequently lost under carpet or find themselves inside toilets and kitchens and it is important that we should record them before they are lost forever.

For several years I was Secretary of the LSEW and we estimated that there are 250,00 surviving examples.
Whilst there are engraved grave markers going back to about 1200, ledgerstones as we recognise them today really start appearing in the early 17th century, when black Marble started to be imported from the continent.

They each cover an individual burial vault and may be likened to the lid of a rectangular biscuit tin.
The vault itself may be up to 12 feet deep, enough for 6 coffins, and brick lined. The ledgerstone sits on top of the brick walls and lies flush with the church floor. More often that not the slab is then engraved with an inscription to the deceased. At a later date if more family burials are to be made into the vault the lid is prised open and relaid, often with a further inscription added on the slab.

Continue reading
  3617 Hits

Latest Blogs from John

It`s been a busy few weeks for me as I continue to research my Churches of Essex book for publication in 2025. I`m now at the stage of revisiting the churches to photograph them for the book and have been delighted to have been accompanied by some em...
I am sadly having to sell some of my collection of church books. Just let me know if you would like to purchase any - postage will be charged at cost. Local Styles of the English Parish Church Addison, Sir William Batsford 1982 Hardback VG 2.5 Jordan...
    Happy New Year to you all.   It`s a quiet time of year when churchcrawling is only for the dedicated - so why not sit comfortably at home and attend my 4 session Zoom course exploring the wonderful Churches of Norfolk?   It ru...
Wishing you and those you love a very Happy Christmas. Detail of a stained glass window by Christopher Webb at Isfield Church, Sussex.   John...

Contact John Vigar Here

Please use this form to get in touch if you have any queries at all.

Invalid Input
Invalid Input
Invalid Input
Invalid Input
Invalid Input

Copyright © John E Vigar 2019Gingerweb Ltd site design and SEO In North Devon

Arts