Borbach Chantry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Borbach Chantry |
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| Location | West Dean, Wiltshire, England |
| Built | 1333 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Borbach Chantry | |
| Designated | 23 March 1960 |
| Reference no. | 1184418 |
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Borbach Chantry is a very old chapel located in West Dean, Wiltshire, England. It was built way back in 1333, which makes it nearly 700 years old! This historic building is recognized as a Grade I listed building, meaning it's super important and protected. Today, it's looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, an organization that saves old churches. The chapel became a "redundant church" (meaning it was no longer used for regular church services) in 1971 and was given to the Trust in 1973.
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History of Borbach Chantry
The Borbach Chantry was built around 1333 by a person named Robert de Borbach. It was originally a small chapel inside a much larger parish church from the 14th century. The chapel was made from flint (a hard stone) and limestone for its decorative parts.
What Happened to the Church?
Most of the original church was taken down in 1868. But the Borbach Chantry was saved! When the rest of the church was demolished, the archway that connected the chapel to the main church was walled up. A window from the old church's chancel (the part where the altar is) was moved and placed in this new wall. A small porch was also added on the south side. The roof of the chapel still has its original 14th-century wooden beams, which are called trussed rafters.
Why the Chapel Was Saved
The Evelyn family, who were important in the area, wanted to protect their family memorials. So, they made sure the chapel was preserved.
Important Memorials
Inside the Borbach Chantry, you can find some amazing old memorials. These are like fancy sculptures or plaques that remember people who have passed away.
The Pierrepoint Memorial
At the east end of the chapel, there's a tall memorial behind some iron railings from the 1600s. This monument remembers Robert Pierrepoint, who died in 1669. His family had married into the Evelyn family. This memorial is made of black, white, and gold materials and is described as "intensely dramatic." Experts believe it was created by a famous sculptor named John Bushnell.
The Evelyn Family Memorials
On the north wall, there are other memorials. One shows kneeling figures of John Evelyn (who died in 1627) and his wife. They are placed under a fancy Baroque-style double archway. Below them, you can see their eleven children, also shown kneeling.
Another memorial is for John Evelyn, who was a Member of Parliament and died in 1685. This memorial features a bust (a sculpture of his head and shoulders) in a black alcove. Above it, there's a triangular top called a pediment, with an urn and two female figures. This memorial is considered a very good example of its kind.
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See also
