Mells is a beautiful English village with an imposing church for such a small community. The Mells estate has been owned by the Horner family since the sixteenth century. (Little Jack Horner, of nursery rhyme fame is reputedly of this family, the 'plum' being the acquisition of the estate from the king.) Inside St Andrew's there is a moving memorial to Edward, heir to the estate, who died of his wounds and is buried in France. A bronze equestrian statue by Sir Alfred Mannings depicts Edward. The plinth on which the statue rests was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens and is a smaller version of the cenotaph in London.
Set into the plinth is the grave marker that was brought home from France after the war.
On the south wall of the church there is a memorial to Raymond Asquith, the son of the Prime Minister, who also died of his wounds in France during the Great War.
What is always deeply moving to find in the small villages and hamlets in this country and on the continent, is the list of those, from the largest country house to the smallest cottage, who died in the Great War. Sometimes the hopes and future of a whole family obliterated.
Set into the plinth is the grave marker that was brought home from France after the war.
On the south wall of the church there is a memorial to Raymond Asquith, the son of the Prime Minister, who also died of his wounds in France during the Great War.The churchyard contains a number of famous English names apart from the Asquiths and Horners. There are members of the Bonham-Carter family and the poet Siegfried Sassoon is buried here.
What is always deeply moving to find in the small villages and hamlets in this country and on the continent, is the list of those, from the largest country house to the smallest cottage, who died in the Great War. Sometimes the hopes and future of a whole family obliterated.
My brother used to own the ex farmhouse in the middle of Mells, in the 70s, Cher. His name is mud in the area, because he went bankrupt and ended up owing everyone - including me - loads of money. He went to prison for it, actually.
ReplyDeleteCrickey, Tom, some brother! You never can tell what's going on behind a beautiful facade.
Deletewow the church looks majestic...I enjoy looking at all these historical buildings. Every little detail tells a story! The stain glass art looks really amazing, just look at all those details on the fish. Thanks for sharing these pictures, very enlightening
ReplyDeletemongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
The equestrian statue in front of the stained glass window stands before you as you step through the church door. It is a deeply moving statement. The St. Francis window is in a side chapel, one of several other lovely windows in the church. You are right, Mongs, how every little detail tells a story, many of them quite heartbreaking.
DeleteThis is such interesting post. I love reading about little villages that I've never visited. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteKaren
Hello Karen. You might like to take a peek at the posting I did last June for Mells open garden day. I shall be returning again this June, weather permitting!
Delete