Geo-Trips :: Baleful glances III
The East Cotswolds
A drive from Letcombe Bassett, Sat, 29 Mar 2025 by Basher Eyre
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It all started with an article in my sister's Church Monument Society bulletin, detailing the 45 known locations for bale tombs across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Originally thought to be used to depict that a wealthy wool merchant was interred there, the society's Sally Badhham now thinks the bale represents half a column, adding status to the chest and the ledger. As Chairman Mao once said "Every journey, however long, starts with a single step", here are the third ten locations
Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
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St Michael, Letcombe Bassett revisited
Little changed since my last visit 11 years ago... more
St Michael, Letcombe Bassett: bale tomb (i)
Atypical bale tomb with plain capping carved as one with ledger/cornice. Chest:... more
St Michael, Letcombe Bassett: bale tomb (ii)
Laterally corded bale with shell-niche ends with rounded segments, west a skull,... more
All Saints, Faringdon revisited
Last here in Covid year https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6563015 this church is... more
All Saints, Faringdon: bale tomb
Heavily overgrown, underneath is a hipped bale, moulded ledger, estimated C17 to C18
Holy Trinity, Ardington: double bale tomb
Plain flat end bales, one with reversed diagonal cording, the other with simple... more
Churchill Old Church: late March 2025
This church is one of 45 that has an East Cotswolds Bale Tomb
Churchill Old Church: bale tomb (i, ii)
Two identical plain hipped bales. Deep moulded ledger. Chest: sides have three... more
St Mary, Witney: bale tomb (i)
Reversed diagonal bale in two sections with shell-niche ends, that to west with... more
St Mary, Witney: bale tomb (ii)
Laterally corded bale with shell-niche ends with rounded segments, west with skull... more
St Nicholas, Asthall: tower
This church is one of 45 that has an East Cotswolds Bale Tomb
St Nicholas, Asthall: bale tomb with urn
Very rare mason's name Jno Kempster Fecit Shell niche ends with rounded segments... more
St Nicholas, Asthall: flat ended bale tomb
Moulded ledger. Inscriptions: John Harris (d. 1723), wife Joan (buried 18 April... more
St Mary, North Leigh: tombs
The churchyard also contains a bale tomb, one of only 45
St Mary, North Leigh: bale tomb
Banded bale with ridged ends and reversed diagonal cording between; shell-niche... more
Holy Trinity, Ascott under Wychwood: late March 2025
This church is one of 45 that has an East Cotswolds Bale Tomb
Holy Trinity, Ascott under Wychwood: bale tomb (i)
Laterally corded bale with recessed ends, worn cartouche for shield of arms to... more
Holy Trinity, Ascott under Wychwood: bale tomb (ii)
Plain hipped bale. Moulded ledger. Chest: sides have two rectangular panels... more
Holy Trinity, Ascott under Wychwood: bale tomb (iii)
Reversed diagonal bale in two sections. Shell niche ends, east a rams head, west... more
St Mary, Shipton under Wychwood: spire
This is one of the 45 East Cotswolds churches with a bale tomb in the churchyard
St Mary, Shipton under Wychwood: double decker bale tomb
The Tina Turner of bale tombs- simply the best. Upper chest with moulded ledger;... more
St Nicholas, Idbury: late March 2025
One of 45 East Cotswold churchyards with a bale tomb
St Nicholas, Idbury: bale tomb by the path
Banded bale. Plain ends with floral motifs. Deep moulded ledger. Chest: sides with... more
St Mary, Chipping Norton: late March 2025
One of 45 East Cotswold churchyards with a bale tomb
St Mary, Chipping Norton: three plain hipped bales
Left: Mt John Berry (d. 4 June 1731 aged 67) and wife Bridgett (sic)
Middle:... more
All images © Basher Eyre and available under a
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