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Sondes Tombs, Throwley Church
There are several fine tombs of the Sondes Family in Throwley church. They were large local land owners
The earliest is of Richard Sondes, a floor slab of Bethersden marble, with a brass, now defaced.
The next is Sir Anthony Sondes, his elder brother who died in 1575, a large tomb chest with a Purbeck marble top. The sides have various decorations and coats of arms.
The third tomb is of Sir Thomas Sondes, died 1592, and his first wife, Cecilia (nee Tufton), died 1584. The tomb chest displays coats of arms of Sondes and Tufton. Two figures kneel on cushions praying at a desk. Sir Thomas is dressed in armour. This alabaster carving is from Gerard Johnson of the Southwark school.
The fourth tomb is of Sir Michael Sondes, Thomas' brother, died 1617, and his wife Mary (nee Finch), died 1617. They are also depicted as praying at a desk. The figures are painted. The faces are extremely life-like. This is also from the Southwark school, red-veined alabaster is used. There are six sons and six daughters kneeling as weepers, including swaddled babies. Only three sons were alive at her death.
At the foot of the tomb is a large, painted cartouche of the Sondes and Finch achievements. This was probably in a canopy over the tomb, but was moved in the 18th Century.
There are also memorials to later descendants of the Sondes family, including Sir George Sondes, Earl of Faversham.
The earliest is of Richard Sondes, a floor slab of Bethersden marble, with a brass, now defaced.
The next is Sir Anthony Sondes, his elder brother who died in 1575, a large tomb chest with a Purbeck marble top. The sides have various decorations and coats of arms.
The third tomb is of Sir Thomas Sondes, died 1592, and his first wife, Cecilia (nee Tufton), died 1584. The tomb chest displays coats of arms of Sondes and Tufton. Two figures kneel on cushions praying at a desk. Sir Thomas is dressed in armour. This alabaster carving is from Gerard Johnson of the Southwark school.
The fourth tomb is of Sir Michael Sondes, Thomas' brother, died 1617, and his wife Mary (nee Finch), died 1617. They are also depicted as praying at a desk. The figures are painted. The faces are extremely life-like. This is also from the Southwark school, red-veined alabaster is used. There are six sons and six daughters kneeling as weepers, including swaddled babies. Only three sons were alive at her death.
At the foot of the tomb is a large, painted cartouche of the Sondes and Finch achievements. This was probably in a canopy over the tomb, but was moved in the 18th Century.
There are also memorials to later descendants of the Sondes family, including Sir George Sondes, Earl of Faversham.
Created: Sat, 8 Oct 2011, Updated: Sat, 26 Sep 2015
10 images use this description: (all images taken in 2011)
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