Church Monuments Society

This is hoped to be the first of a series of tours (led by Robin Draper), looking for monuments that have been attributed to the workshop of Samuel Baldwin of Gloucester (active c. 1603 to 1645). Attributions to Baldwin have been the subject of debate for some time now, so we look forward to discussion between members attending the tour! Most of this subject work though, is of high quality. There will of course be work by other artists, and from other time periods to see in all churches.

We will assemble at Gloucester Railway Station, to meet the coach for a 10:30 departure. Gloucester is rail-served by Great Western Railway from London Paddington (via Reading and Swindon) and from Birmingham (and north) and Bristol (and south-west) by Cross Country Trains. Please refer to www.nationalrail.co.uk , or train operator websites for details of journeys and ticketing.

The coach will then take us to visit the following:

Miserden, St Andrew. Here we have three large monuments with Baldwin attributions. In addition there are interesting floor slabs and a collection of tablet monuments. There is also a plain cylindrical Norman font, a Victorian squires pew, and opposite the lychgate a war memorial by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Cirencester, where we will take our lunch break in the town, before visiting the church of St John the Baptist. There are two large monuments here that have been attributed. There are also many brasses to wool merchants (the church itself being a fine example of a Cotswold “wool church”, with the biggest porch that you’ve ever seen!).

After our visit to Cirencester, the coach will return to Gloucester, where we will take a tea/coffee and cake in the Cathedral precinct before a visit to the cathedral with a focus on the Baldwin attributed monuments therein.

We will finish our tour at the church of St Nicholas (in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust) in Westgate Street. This church was Baldwin’s parish church. Inside we will find his memorial (a wall plaque) and another monument with effigies, suggested to be local work, and “possibly by Samuel Baldwin”.

At the end of this visit, the leader will walk the party back to Gloucester Railway Station.

The cost to CMS, MBS and Mausolea and Monuments Trust members is £37.50 (£42.50 to non-members). This includes the cost of a coach, donations to or fees for participating churches, and for tea. See link below to download a booking form.

Lunch is not included, but we will break upon arrival at Cirencester to find our lunches there.

(Images courtesy of Dr Adam White)

Gallery

• Sandys effigies from above
• Monox general view