Relhan Collection : 31 Barton church. Brass of John Martin c. 1593 and Margaret his wife

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>John Martin of Woodhurst (Hunts) purchased Burwash manor in 1573. He left it to his wife Margaret (d. 1602), and then to their son Matthie. The small (figures 20cm high) late brass, with inscription plate dates of c.1600, was ordered by Margaret before her death. He wears a long cloak with false sleeves over a tight-sleeved undergarment, with a ruff. She has the usual full gown for this period, supported by a farthingale, with an embroidered panel set in her stomacher, and a Paris headdress and ruff. Both are dressed not grandly but as the modestly successful local gentry they were. These figures were not published by Lysons, perhaps because they were so small and less impressive than most, and are entirely Relhan’s work. </p><p>Heseltine 1981</p></p>