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HERE LYETH INTERRED YE BODY OF ROBERT ALFOVNDER GENT: WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 19TH DAY OF APRILL ANNO: DNI~ 1639: BEING = A BOVT THE AGE OF 50 YEARES |
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Robert Alefounder (ca. 1589-1639; Dedham pedigree) is buried in the nave of East Bergholt church, Suffolk. Set into the floor marking the spot are two brasses, one (photograph on left) depicting the gentleman himself and the other (just out of range of the top of the photograph) showing an incorrect coat of arms. Paterson (1923) suggests that these survived the attentions of Cromwell's men only because the deceased had died relatively recently and was still well-remembered and respected in the village. This certainly seems reasonable, other brasses in the church having been removed, presumably at this time.
A photograph of a rubbing of the brasses has been published by Felgate (1978). I do not agree with all he has to say about Robert Alefounder's family - it seems to me that he has confused this Robert with his son, also called Robert.
A drawing of the brasses, made in 1817, was published by the artist John Sell Cotman (1839). This has one small omission - the extreme end of the sword which should extend just beyond the hem of the cloak.
James (1855) noted that the brass "appears to have been executed by an artist not thoroughly acquainted with his business, as he has represented the spur turned upside down, thus placing the pressure upon the ancle, for the prevention of which the curvature of the arms was originally designed and afterwards preserved."
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Last updated 30th April 2010 by Peter Alefounder |
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