The brass is divided, horizontally, into five compartments.
The top compartment shows the arms if the Disney impaling those of Joiner within a triangular pediment.
The second compartment shows William Disney and his wife Margaret (Joiner) kneeling in prayer with a scrolled motto “sufferance doth ease”. Behind William and Margaret are their four sons and five daughters with their names above them.
The third compartment contains three shields respectively displaying the arms of Hussey (three squirrels), Disney (three Fleur de lys), and Ascough (three asses).
The fourth compartment shows Richard with his first and second wives, Nele (Hussey) and Janne (Ascough). Behind Nele are ranged her seven sons and five daughters. The names of the daughters are still visible but those of the sons were removed (literally, leaving a rectangular hole)in connection with a law suit. These, however, were recorded, prior to removal, by Archdeacon Holles as William, Humphrey, John, Daniel, Ciriac, Zacariah and Isaac.
The fifth compartment contains the following testimonial:-
"The life, conversation and service of the first above named William Disney and of Richard Disney his son were commendable amongst their neighbours, true and faithful to their prince and country and acceptable to the Almighty of whom, we trust they are received to salvation according to the steadfast faith which they had in and through the mercy and merit of Christ our Saviour. These truths are thus set forth that in all ages God may be thankfully glorified for these and such like his gracious benefits.
Richard’s will was proved in 1578 and that of Janne, his second wife, in 1591.
It is thought that the reference to William’s and Richard’s faithfulness to their prince and country refers to the Lincolnshire rebellion of 1536 which was an uprising against the spoliation of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Both the above named helped in suppressing the rebellion.
The reverse of the brass tablet contains an inscription referring to the founding of a chantry in St Martin’s church at Middleburgh, Walcharen in Holland. This was destroyed by fire in 1575.
The brass was cut into two pieces prior to re-use and the other piece has been located in West Lavington church in Wiltshire.
A translation from the Dutch inscription begins:-
“---------In the year 1518, on the 29th day of December, We, Adrien Ardenses and the young lady, Josephine van de Steine, have founded within this church on St Cornelius’ altar a single mass to be said daily, ----------“
The text goes on to describe the form of the mass and the manner of payment to the priests and those taking part but does not mention the object of the mass.
(Info from Church)
See other images of Disney Brass, St Peter's church