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60. Burton
This small 11th century church of Burton, once known as Bodecton or Bodeton, lies well away from the main road in the spacious grounds of Burton Park near the village of Duncton. Close by is a private school but otherwise the church stands in splendid isolation. It has no dedication. Entrance is by the west door under the square belfry tower. Inside, the red brick floor and plain white washed walls appear somewhat ordinary but closer inspection soon reveals numerous brasses, two canopied tombs of the 16th century as well as a very unusual wall painting. The fifteenth century screen dividing the nave from the chancel still bears traces of the original coloured decoration as well as a tiny rood loft only two feet wide. Painted above are the Ten Commandments. The chancel itself has a plain glass east window and only a small wooden table as an altar. In the chancel floor are three large black marble slabs commemorating William Goring (1723), Henry Goring (1683), John Biddulff (1720) and his wife Mary. In the recess of the south wall of the chancel is a low altar tomb. Though partly mutilated it shows a lady in a low cut dress, her head on a cushion and a dog at her feet. Three quatrefoils with blank shields decorate the plinth. The tomb is late 15th century and probably relates to the Dawtrey family who then owned Burton. Also in the south wall is a small piscina with an oblique drain. The south wall of the nave displays three 17th century brasses of Henry Goring d.1671, his daughter Ann Biddulph who 'changed her life for a better' on 25 October 1679, and Mary Goring d.1694. In the centre of the south wall is an altar tomb of John Goring who died in 1520. He is shown on a brass wearing mail and plate armour kneeling at a prayer desk. Shields of arms relating to the Goring and Dyke families are also displayed. High above a blocked round headed doorway c.1075 is a fine painting of the Royal Arms of Charles I dated 1636. Above is painted the text "Obey them that rule over you" (Hebrews 13.7) and below the motto 'Christo auspice regno'. At the west end is a tub shaped medieval font, one of the earliest to be found in Sussex. Hanging above are two large funeral hatchments relating to the Biddulph family showing an eagle displayed argent. The north wall of the nave is dominated by a massive Elizabethan altar tomb with a canopy of Purbeck marble, in honour of Sir William Goring (d.1553) and his wife Elizabeth (d.1538). The figure of Sir William is missing but a brass of Elizabeth shows her in a long full skirt, a cap, veil and tight fitting sleeves. There were originally 20 brasses on the tomb, many commemorating their eight children, but some are now missing. Others show the family crest. Just above this tomb is a very unusual painting on the eastern splay of the north wall window partly hidden by the tomb canopy. Dating from the 16th century it shows a young woman with a mass of red hair tied upside down to a St Andrew's Cross. Some believe this to be a version of the St Wilgeforte legend. She was reputed to be the daughter of a heathen French king vowed to virginity. When ordered to marry she prayed to become unattractive. By a miracle she grew a beard and was put to death by her father. Also on the north wall are painted various Biblical verses in 'black letter' based on Titus 2 11-13, Hebrews 12.28 and 2 Corinthians 3.20. On the south wall is another text from Psalm 96. There is only one bell in the squat belfry. The nave, only 29 feet long, has a boarded roof. All the nave windows have two rectangular lights in plain glass. The outside walls are of rubble with large quantities of ironstone. Despite the paucity of parishioners, regular Sunday services are still held in the church and long may that continue. JOHN SYMONDS |
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page last updated 20 JULY 2002 |
