CHURCHES of SUSSEX
Brass Rubbings of Sussex
Stopham - Barttelot
The east window, brought here from the old home of the Barttelots, has six
shields of their coats-of-arms, beginning with the middle of the 15th century,
and it is all old glass. A window in the north wall has figures of the Barttelots
and Stophams after they became one family.
The window was designed by a Flemish artist in the time of Cromwell, and
shows two Stopham knights and three Stopham daughters, a quaint little trio
in big sleeves and ruffs.
But their chief portraits are not in the windows: they cover the floor and
fill the space between the pews and up to the altar rails. It is said that
the family history is complete in brass, covering a period of over 400 years,
the finest collection of brasses in Sussex.
John Barttelot of 1428 is with his wife Joan; they are two of the figures
in the north window. John of 1453 is also with his wife Joan, he in armour,
she with a tight bodice and a hound reclining on the folds of her dress.
This John fought at Agincourt; with them is a small group of their five
children in Jacobean costume. Richard of 1482 is here with his wife Petronilla,
and their two boys in cloaks. William of 1601 is with his wife Anne and their
son Robert; there is a spaniel with them. Richard of 1614 is in a very fine
brass with his two wives; he wears armour and has long flowing hair. Their
nine children are in two groups.
One of the Barttelots died while leading the Petworth Volunteers against
the Boers.
His brother was with Stanley in Africa in the search for Livingstone and Emin
Pasha, and was treacherously shot by a native carrier.
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