(145) ISFIELD, St. Margaret
The church is isolated from the village; Norman with 13th-century and Decorated additions (South chapel) - Nairn & Pevsner (545); plan SNQ VI 241; in 1724, the chancel needed repair (Ford 134); for views see BL Add. MS 5676 f.93; 5671 ff.96-7; 5673 f.66; Turner (SAC 23 167-8) transcribed the M.I.s; the Shurley monuments at Isfield rival West Firle as the most important post-Reformation ensemble in the county.
145A Wall monument for John SHURLEY, d. 1527
- Shurley (South) Chapel, South wall, to West of 145B.
- 153(W) x 119(H)~Fair; local losses.
- In freestone (Purbeck?) with brass panels; flat arch on attached columns with hexagonal shafts over a recess; within, a tomb-chest with flat top; tomb-chest front, decorated with diamond and blank arcade; brasses on back wall (one remaining); above, decoration of quatrefoils and lozenges.
145B Wall monument for Edward SHURLEY, d. 1558
- Shurley (South) Chapel, against South wall, to East of 145A.
- 185(W) x 186(H)~Fair; local losses (cresting).
- Larger than 145A and with a different design of column; surviving brasses include a M.I. (engraved; black-letter script) and 2 kneelers Edward Shurley (left), wife to right, child at foot of each; below, tomb-chest with lozenges & trefoil-topped panels; above, a frieze of quatrefoils.
145C Wall monument for Thomas SHURLEY, d. 1579, and his wife, d. 1571
- Shurley (South) chapel, against East wall.
- 185(W) x 248(H); brass figures 70(H)~Good; colour.
- In painted freestone; niche; brasses on back wall; flanking, Doric columns with cable-fluted touch shafts; in frieze, adapted gadroon ornament; above, pointed pediment, escutcheon and angled dentils; in brass, 2 large kneelers, 3 escutcheons and a M.I.
145D Wall monument for Sir John SHURLEY, d. 1631, and his two wives
- Shurley (South) chapel, North wall.
- 240(W) x more than 400(H)~Good.
- High in quality; using black, white and coloured marbles and alabasters; heraldic colour and gilt; all on a raised basement; semi-circular arch over high tomb-chest; 3 recumbent effigies, heads to the right, John Shurley between two wives; on face of tomb-chest, kneeling children face left (names over); arch on black column shafts and Corinthian capitals; high pedestals; behind, on back wall, M.I. (gilt, engraved); arch coffering of cherubim; on top, more cherubs, achievements, escutcheons and allegorical figures (Charity to right).
- Sir John Shurley, Knt, of Isfield, J.P., D.L., Coram [Sheriff] of Sussex; died Lewes, 25 Apr 1631; his first wife, [Jane], daughter of Sir Thomas Shirley, of Wiston, Sussex.; issue - 2 sons; Thomas [with skull] and John [with skull]; 7 daughters; Anne [with skull], Jane, Cicilie, Elizabeth, Charity, Hannah [with skull] and Mary; his second wife, [Dorothy], daughter of George Goring, of Danny; also, her nephew Lord Goring; her first husband, Sir Henry Bowyer, of Cuckfield; John Shurley's fame, magnanimity, justice and stout performance, in good causes; Dorothy Shurley's charity, generosity, sympathy, piety and devotion.
145E Mural monument for Rev. Edward RAYNES, d. 1755, his wife Ann, d. 1787, and descendants
- Tower, South wall, above head height.
- c.95(W) x c.200(H)~Fine.
- In grey mottled marble; recessed pilasters flank a M.I. (14 lines + 8 lines) fills a panel; above, blank pointed pediment; below, curved apron and scrolled corbels.
- Rev. Edward Raynes, M.A., rector of Isfield and Hangleton, d. 16 Apr 1755, aet 44; his wife Ann, d. 21 Aug 1787, aet 74, third daughter of James Chambers, Esq., of Seaford; issue - eldest son, Edward, d. 10 Apr 1751, aet 5; second son, William, ecclesiastical registrar, d. 16 Nov 1787, aet 39; youngest son, Edward Robert, archdeacon of Lewes, d. 22 Jan 1824, aet 71, his wife, Harriot, daughter of Rev. Thomas Porter, rector of East Hoathly, d. 19 Apr 1806, aet 54; their issue - Mary Ann, d. 5 Nov 1800, aet 14.
