Country Churches

97. St James Bramley

Tucked away in lovely countryside north of Basingstoke stands this real gem of a 12th century church. It seems to have everything; fine medieval wall paintings, medieval stained glass, medieval brasses, a magnificent 18th century table tomb, funeral hatchments, fine memorials and a gallery - a real cornucopia of history. One is almost spoilt for choice.

One enters the church via a 15th century door alongside the gallery with its Ionic pillars built in 1729. The front of the gallery houses the organ with its pipes towering almost to the ceiling. Underneath is a Norman font of carved Purbeck marble and on the wall opposite a Consecration Cross of 1150 as well as the text of Psalm 95.

Both nave walls have fine medieval paintings. The south wall has a series of martyrdoms, the clearest showing Thomas a Becket being slain by 4 knights with the monk Edward Grim standing behind. On the north wall opposite is a large St Christopher with shipping in the background and a hermit's cell probably dating from the 15th century. Alongside is a 3 light decorated window containing 15th century glass showing the radiant sun, the Brocas family shield and a rare St Catherine. In the south wall another window contains the falcon crest of the Paulet family of Old Basing.

The chancel contains Tudor panelling though the East Window and reredos are Victorian. The reredos, painted in 1885, is a triptych and depicts the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Either side of the East window are traces of 13th century paintings of the Archangel Michael and the Madonna and Child.

On the north wall is an 18th century monument to Dr Thomas Shaw who ended his career as vicar of Bramley. Before that he had travelled widely in Africa and Asia. He was then appointed Principal of St Edmund Hall Oxford and Regius Professor of Greek. Above the priests door on the south side is a memorial to Sir Richard Hannington Gentleman 'who lived a bachelor for 72 years and died on 29 May 1604.' The epitaph continues with a caution 'Be mindful and learn how to die for now you may see yourself reflected in the dead man. We are all making towards this end....' Also commemorated is Vice Admiral Noel Stephen Digby who died in 1920 having served in the Crimea, the Baltic and the Ashanti Wars.

In complete contrast is the Brocas chapel in the South Transept built by Sir John Soane in 1802. It is dominated by the huge chest tomb of Sir Bernard Brocas who died in 1777. There he lies at ease being cradled by a young lady at the moment of death. On the wall are 4 funeral hatchments of the Brocas family, as well as the Royal Coat of Arms of Charles II and one showing the Prince of Wales badge of 3 ostrich feathers and the cypher C.P.

The large window in the chapel contains a fine display of Flemish glass of the Liege School (1480-1520). Numerous Old Testament scenes are portrayed such as David and Goliath, the death of Jacob and Naaman being healed of leprosy as well as events from the life of Christ. Under the carpets are two 16th century monumental brasses. One (1504) to the widow of John Shelford of Hereford and one dated 1529 to Richard and Alys Carter. A more recent addition is the standard of the R.A.O.C. hanging above the arch.

Near the chapel entrance is a beautiful wood carved War Memorial. 16 names are listed from 1914-18, including the 3 sons of the vicar of Bramley the Revd Belcher. All were officers, all 3 won the M.C. and two of them the D.S.O. All were killed on the Western Front between 1915 and 1917. What a tragedy for the family.

The tower at the west end was built between 1636-40 and contains 8 bells. On the wall is a brass to a yeoman William Joye who died in 1412 as well as a St Barbara window presented by the R.A.O.C. commandant. One final unusual feature can only be seen from the churchyard. On the roof of the Brocas Chapel are 2 shiny weather vanes showing a crowned Moors head, the crest of the Brocas family. The church Guide states that one was given to Sir Bernard Brocas (d.1395) for 'overcoming the King of Morocco and cutting off his head'.

John Symonds