AFTER 385 years lying in Greatham Old Church, the monument to Dame Margery Caryll is in need of serious conservation work.
The finely carved alabaster tomb of Dame Margery dates from 1632, which rests in the 13th century chancel of the Old Church of St John the Baptist, needs specialist conservation work costing at least £7,000.
The Old Church Group, which looks after the church on behalf of its owner, Greatham Parish Council, is launching a campaign to raise this money.
A series of events is being planned, starting on Saturday when Dame Margery’s tomb will be decorated with flowers to celebrate the anniversary of her marriage to Sir Richard Caryll Bt on April 14 1610 – more than 400 years ago.
Sir Richard was from a family in South Harting with their own chapel in the parish church of St Mary and St Gabriel.
He died in 1616, leaving Dame Margery a widow at 24.
She was buried in Greatham as her father, John Freeland, was Lord of the Manor of Greatham.
The monument to Dame Margery represents a fine piece of English alabaster carving from the 17th century.
It consists of a large tomb chest with black slate top, on which lies the recumbent figure of Lady Margery.
The whole chest is carried on a plinth of sandstone.
Based on a ‘minimum intervention’ approach, the proposed conservation works include specialist cleaning of the alabaster, repair of the side panels and sandstone plinth, repair and rebuilding of the entablature; replacement of decayed mortar; investigation of internal brickwork core and digital recording of the monument’s overall condition.
East Hampshire District Council has agreed to support the project, and other grants are being sought.