Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford


The Church of the Holy Trinity is a Grade I listed parish church of the Church of England in Long Melford, Suffolk, England. It is one of 310 medieval English churches dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
The church was constructed between 1467 and 1497 in the late Perpendicular Gothic style. It is a noted example of a Suffolk medieval wool church, founded and financed by wealthy wool merchants in the medieval period as impressive visual statements of their prosperity.
The church structure is highly regarded by many observers. Its cathedral-like proportions and distinctive style, along with its many original features that survived the religious upheavals of the 16th and 17th centuries, have attracted critical acclaim. Journalist and author Sir Simon Jenkins, former Chairman of the National Trust, included the church in his 1999 book “England’s Thousand Best Churches”. He awarded it a maximum of 5 stars, one of only 18 to be so rated.
The Holy Trinity Church features in many episodes of Michael Wood's BBC television history series , filmed during 2011.

History

Origins

A church is recorded as having been on the site since the reign of King Edward the Confessor. It was originally endowed by the Saxon Earl Alric, who bequeathed the patronage of the church, along with his manor at Melford Hall and about 261 acres of land, to the successive Abbots of the Benedictine Abbey of Bury St Edmund’s. There are no surviving descriptions of the original Saxon structure, although the roll of the clergy and the history of the site extend back to the 12th century.

15th-century reconstruction

The church was substantially rebuilt between 1467 and 1497. Of the earlier structures, only the former Lady Chapel and the nave arcades survive.
The principal benefactor who financed the reconstruction was wealthy local wool merchant John Clopton, who resided at neighbouring Kentwell Hall. John Clopton was a supporter of the Lancastrian cause during the Wars of the Roses and in 1462 was imprisoned in the Tower of London with John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford and a number of others, charged with corresponding treasonably with Margaret of Anjou. All of those imprisoned were eventually executed except John Clopton, who somehow made his peace with his accusers and lived to see the Lancastrians eventually triumphant at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.
The dates of the reconstruction of the church are derived from contemporary wills, which provided endowments to finance the work.

Reconstruction of main tower

In 1710 the main tower was damaged by a lightning strike. It was replaced with a brick-built structure in the 18th century and subsequently remodelled between 1898 and 1903 to its present-day appearance, designed by George Frederick Bodley in the Victorian Gothic Revival style. The new tower was closer to its original form with stone and flint facing and the addition of four new pinnacles.

Description

Dimensions

The dimensions of the church are:
Total length of church and Lady Chapel245 ft
Length of nave152 ft 6 ins
Height of nave41 ft 6 ins
Length of aisles135 ft 4 ins
Height of aisles24 ft

Nave

The nave, at, is believed to be the longest of any parish church in England. There are nine bays, of which the first five at the western end are believed to date from an earlier structure.
The interior is lit by 74 tracery windows, many of which retain original medieval glass. These include the image of Elizabeth de Mowbray, Duchess of Norfolk, said to have provided the inspiration for John Tenniel's illustration of the Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Sanctuary

The sanctuary is dominated by the large reredos, of Caen stone and inspired by the works of Albrecht Dürer. It was installed in 1877, having been donated by the mother of the then Rector Charles Martyn.
On the north side is the alabaster and marble tomb of Sir William Cordell who was the first Patron of the Church after the dissolution of the Abbey of Bury St Edmund's in 1539. On either side of the tomb are niches containing figures that represent the four Cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.
The sanctuary also holds one of the earliest extant alabaster bas relief panels, a nativity from the second half of the 14th century. The panel was hidden under the floor of chancel, probably early in the reign of Elizabeth I, and was rediscovered in the 18th century. The panel, which may be part of an altar piece destroyed during the Reformation, includes a midwife arranging Mary's pillows and two cows looking from under her bed.

Clopton Chapel

The Clopton Chapel is in the north east corner of the church. It commemorates various Clopton family members and was used by the family as a place of private worship.
The tomb of Sir William Clopton is set into an alcove here, in the north wall. An effigy of Sir William, wearing chain mail and plate armour, is set on top of the tomb. Sir William is known to have died in 1446 and it is therefore believed that this corner of the church predates the late 15th-century reconstruction. There are numerous brasses set in the floor commemorating other members of the Clopton family; two date from 1420, another shows two women wearing head attire in the butterfly style from around 1480, and a third depicts Francis Clopton who died in 1558.
There is an altar set against the east wall of the chapel and a double squint designed to provide priests with a view of the high altar when conducting Masses.

Clopton Chantry Chapel

The Clopton Chantry Chapel is a small chapel at the far north east corner of the church, accessed from the Clopton Chapel. This was the original Lady Chapel and is the oldest part of the current structure. After John Clopton's death in 1497, his will made provision for the chapel to be extended and refurbished and for him to be buried alongside his wife there. The chapel was then renamed, while the intended Chantry Chapel became the Lady Chapel.
The tomb of John Clopton and his wife is set in the wall leading into the chapel. Inside, the canopy vault displays faded portraits of the couple. Also displayed is a portrait of the risen Christ with a Latin text which, translated, reads Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. A series of empty niches in the south wall most likely once held statues of saints. Around the cornice, John Lydgate's poem "Testament" is presented in the form of a scroll along the roof, while his "Lamentation of our Lady Maria" is along the west wall.

Lady Chapel

The Lady Chapel is a separate building attached to the east end of the main church. In an unusual layout, it has a central sanctuary surrounded by a pillared ambulatory, reflecting its original intended use as a chantry chapel with John Clopton's tomb in its centre. Clopton was forced to abandon this plan when his wife died before the new building was completed and consecrated; so she was buried in the former Lady Chapel and John Clopton was subsequently interred next to her.
The stone carving seen in the Lady Chapel bears similarities to work at King's College Chapel, Cambridge and at Burwell Church in Cambridgeshire. It is known that the master mason employed there was Reginald Ely, the King's Mason, and although there is no documentary proof, it is believed that Ely was also responsible for the work at Holy Trinity, Long Melford.
The chapel was used as a school from 1670 until the early 18th century, and a multiplication table on the east wall serves as a reminder of this use. The steep gables of the roof also date from this period.

Martyn Chapel

The Martyn Chapel is situated to the south of the chancel. It contains the tombs of several members of the Martyn family, who were prominent local wool merchants in the 15th and 16th centuries, and who also acted as benefactors of the church. These include the tomb chest of Lawrence Martyn and his two wives. On the floor are the tomb slabs of Roger Martyn and his two wives Ursula and Margaret; and of Richard Martyn and his three wives.
Originally, the Martyn chapel contained an altar flanked by two gilded tabernacles, one displaying an image of Christ and the other an image of Our Lady of Pity. These tabernacles reached to the ceiling of the chapel, but were removed or destroyed during the English Reformation in the reign of King Edward VI.

Organ

The church has two pipe organs. The organ in the church is a two manual pipe organ dating from 1867 by J. W. Walker. A specification of this organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
The organ in the Lady Chapel is a small positive pipe organ. A specification of this organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Glass

The medieval glass can be attributed to the Norwich School and dates from the mid- to the late-15th century. Described as "the best collection of medieval glass in Suffolk", it was recollected to its present location, in the north aisle, in the 1960s.

List of Rectors

In common with other English churches, for much of its lifetime, the Rector was "presented" by the church patron. Until its dissolution in 1539, the patron was the incumbent Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Bury St Edmunds; after this date, the patronage was held by a prominent local person, transferring either by bequest or by sale.
The list of Rectors of Holy Trinity dates back to the 12th century, but there are gaps prior to 1309.
DatesNameComments
1198 and earlierHugh, the ClerkRector of Melford before the approbation of part of Melford Church property to the Hospital of St Saviour at Bury.
1199–1200 and afterWalter HerveyThen known as Vicar of Melford.
1200–1309
10 October 1309Dominus Simon de Clayber, PriestPresented by Abbott Thomas de Tottington
5 December 1311Henry de StantonPresented by Abbott Thomas de Tottington
9 October 1312Dominus Allanus de Ely, PriestPresented by Abbott Thomas de Tottington
Dominus.... de Welbourne
9 December 1326Dominus Thomas de Chedworth, PriestOn the resignation of de Welbourne; presented by Abbot Richard de Draughton.
3 April 1333Magister Simon de DraughtonPresented by Abbot Richard de Draughton.
7 June 1334Richard de Harlinge, PriestPresented by Abbot Richard de Draughton.
6 February 1364Magister Theodorus de Otlania, PriestPresented by John de Brinkdale, Abbot of St Edmund's.
30 July 1371Thomas de GrynesbyPresented by John de Brinkdale, Abbot of St Edmund's.
25 August 1410Magister William Wygor de Cavendish, PriestOn the resignation of Thomas Grynesby; presented by Abbot William Cratfield
1 April 1417Nicholaus Mansel, PriestPresented by Brother Robert, Prior of the Monastery of St Edmund of Bury and Brother William of the same Monastery, the Abbot being absent in foreign parts
2 February 1419Magister Thomas Barnsley, PriestPresented by William Exeter, Abbot of St Edmund's.
6 December 1429Stephanus Wilton, in Doctor's ordersOn the resignation of Thomas Barnsley; presented by William Curteys, Abbot of St Edmund's.
7 February 1433Johannes Enachdunensis Episcopus, Venerable Father in GodPresented by William Curteys, Abbot of St Edmund's. This prelate was John, Lord Bishop of Enachdun, Ireland.
3 August 1439Dominus Thomas LewyshamPresented by William Curteys, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
19 July 1441Thomas Crameworth, PriestPresented by William Curteys, Abbot of St Edmund's.
5 March 1446William HannibaldPresented by William Curteys, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
21 June 1454William Coxe, Bachelor of Laws, PriestPresented by John Boone, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
21 December 1456John MydwellPresented by John Boone, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
21 April 1460Thomas Warden, Professor of TheologyPresented by John Boone, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
8 April 1474Aegidius Dent, Bachelor of TheologyPresented by Richard Hengham, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
14 September 1484Thomas Aleyn, alias Carver, PriestPresented by Thomas Racclesden, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
9 March 1504William Skern or SkeynePresented by William Codenham, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
5 March 1514Magister Robert Stourton, Professor of TheologyPresented by Abbot John Reeve of Bury St Edmund's. Reeve was the last Abbot of Bury – the Abbey was dissolved in 1539.
21 July 1514Magister Johannes MaltbyPresented by John Reeve, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
1534 William NewtonPresented by John Reeve, Abbot of Bury St Edmund's.
20 July 1548Henry Mallet, ClerkPresented by Princess Mary. Henry Mallet was the Princess Mary's chaplain.
30 March 1558Magister Christopherus Hill, Bachelor of TheologyPresented by Sir William Cordell, knight, Master of the Court of Chancery of King Philip and Queen Mary and patron of the church. Cordell was a prominent lawyer and politician who lived at neighbouring Melford Hall.
1560 Edmund HumphreyKnown to have held his first manor court for the Rectory of Melford on 17 July 1560.
6 February 1583Ralph Jones, Professor of TheologyPresented by Dame Mary Cordell, widow of Sir William Cordell, the late patron, who had died in 1581.
28 November 1590Peter Wentworth, ClerkPresented by Jane Allington, widow, patron of the church in her own right. She was the sister and heiress of Sir William Cordell.
4 September 1599William Gilbert, Clerk, Master of ArtsOn the right of presentation belonging to Queen Elizabeth I. He was chaplain to Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury.
23 September 1618Robert Wareyn, Clerk, Master of ArtsPresented by Thomas Savage, knight and baron. Wareyn, a Royalist, was turned out of the living in October 1643 at the beginning of the English Civil War. Upon the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, he was reinstated, but resigned on 24 November 1660 – he was then 96 years old. He died the following year.
1643–1660Seth Wood, Samuel Boardman, Ralph Brideoak, Seth Wood, Peter Sainthill, Claudius Salmarius GilbertPuritan Ministers – exact dates unknown.
12 November 1660Nathaniel BisbiePresented by Sir Robert Cordell, Bart., on the resignation of Robert Wareyn. In 1689, Bisbie was deprived of the Rectory of Melford for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to King William III.
26 July 1689Henry Felton, LLD., Fellow of St Peter's College, CambridgeOn the deprivation of Nathaniel Bisbie.
1701James JohnsonPresented by Sir John Cordell, 3rd Bart.
1741Abraham Oakes, LL.D.Presented by Sir Cordell Firebrace, Bart.
1758John Jacob OakesPresented by Sir Cordell Firebrace, Bart. Eldest son of the previous Rector.
1771Robert ButtsEldest son of the Bishop of Ely.
1790John LerooOn his own presentation, having purchased the advowson two years earlier for £2,400. He insured the life of Robert Butts, the previous incumbent, for this sum; so the living cost him only two years premiums.
1819Bransby FrancisPresented by the Rev. William Tylney Spurdens.
1830Edward CobboldPresented by his father, John Cobbold. The living was for many years in sequestration because of his debts. He committed suicide in London.
1862William Wallis, M.A.Presented by John Chevalier Cobbold, M.P.
1869Charles John Martyn, M.A., Christchurch, OxfordOn his own presentation, having purchased the advowson.
1892George St John Topham M.A.
1902Frederick Trevor Bamber
1922–1923Herbert Reginald Stapylton Bree
1933–1938Gordon Bourchier Ince
1939–1953Charles Sydney Hardy M.A.
1955–1960Fred Stanley Wood Simpson M.A.
1962–1977Charles Robert Valentine Herbert
1978–1999Christopher John Sansbury M.A.
2001–2014Ian M. G. Friars
2015-PresentMatthew Lawson

Parish status

The Parish of Long Melford is part of the Chadbrook Benefice. The other churches in the group are: