St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Gosberton
One of the big draws for visitors to the church are the two stone effigies in the South Transept.
Who is the male figure?
The cross-legged figure of a knight in chain mail and surcoat, with shield and sword lies in an attitude of prayer under a low, ogee-headed arch. Gervase Holles, writing in the seventeenth century associated the tomb with the Bolles, who were a renowned family at that time and had associations with Gosberton going back several generations. However, since the late nineteenth century it has been supposed that the monument commemorates Sir John de Rye, following the research undertaken by Walter Jenkinson Kaye (a schoolmaster at Gosberton Hall School) and published in his 1897 book, ‘A Brief History of the Church and Parish of Gosberton.’
Who is the female figure?
Kaye suggests that the female figure is that of Sir John De Rye’s wife.
Who were the De Ryes?
The de Ryes originated from Normandy, and were an influential family in Gosberton for many generations in medieval times. They were Lords of the Manor there. Gosberton Risegate derives its name from the de Rye family.
How old are the effigies?
There has been no specific academic study undertaken on the effigies to determine their age, but Kaye suggests that the dress style of the figures fit with those that were in fashion at the time Sir John De Rye died – which was 1280. The female figure seems to be a similar style, but perhaps of a slightly later date.
Incidentally, there is no evidence that the Bolles family were associated with Gosberton in the thirteenth century, which was one reason why Kaye dismissed the idea that the effigies related to that family.
