Immediately underfoot at the south door entrance, and liable to go unnoticed to all but the keenest observer, is the remnant of what had been a memorial stone. Two shallow recesses carved upon it suggest that one once bore a rectangular brass plate (presumably bearing the name and vital dates of the individual memorialised) and the other a brass crest (presumably a family coat of arms).
It is tempting to speculate that the brass was removed in the 1500s, when much of Europe was going through religious turmoil. This ‘Reformation’ as it has been dubbed by historians, was a movement aimed at reforming the then dominant Roman Catholic Church, which led to the establishment of Protestantism. Here in England, King Henry VIII famously broke with Rome and formed the Church of England. The Reformation led to a strong anti-Catholic sentiment, and anything perceived as promoting Catholic beliefs or practices was targeted for removal. This included the destruction of religious images and symbols, including brasses. Besides, church brasses were valuable, and their metal could be sold for profit!Â
It is possible that the brasses were removed, not during the Reformation, but during the period of the English Civil War (1642-1651), when many churches were occupied, desecrated or ransacked by troops. It is generally accepted that St. Peter and St. Paul’s church suffered occupation and desecration during this period.
