Churches contain much of the most interesting medieval sculpture in the country. Magnificent effigies, whether of cast copper-alloy or stone, never cease to provoke awe and wonder, conjuring up glamorous images of an age of chivalry. Yet in their intended setting such monuments are often little known to non-specialists. Among the joys of visiting churches is the experience of alighting upon sculptural treasures; monuments open doors to the past and introduce us to the characters from our history books that inhabited that lost world. Lavishly illustrated with high-quality colour photographs, this book uncovers monuments as a rich source of information for anyone interested not only in church history but also in costume, armour, heraldry, sculpture and genealogy.
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Table of Contents
?Why Study Church Monuments? /Purpose and Meaning /The Development of Churchyard Monuments /Burial and Commemoration Inside Churches /Placement Within the Church /Choices in Tomb Design /Tomb Destruction and Mutilation /Further Reading /Places to Visit /Index