Relhan Collection : 160-161 Girton church. Brasses

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p><b>160 Girton church. Brass of William Malster, 1492</b></p><p>Mounted with (<b>161)</b> as a pair by Relhan and noted as ‘In the chancel Girton’ Relhan’s work copying a brass is plainly inferior to that of Warner (<b>12, 156</b>), as is also evident from comparison with published rubbings. Relhan did not describe the inscription besides the name and ‘died 1492’. This brass, 63 cm in height, been removed but its indent remains. ‘<i>Two extreme handsome Grave Stones with the effigies of two priests on them in their habits and inscriptions at their feet quite perfect</i>’ (Cole 1743), who also records that Malster was a canon of York and rector of Girton, and is shown in processional vestments of cassock, surplice, almuce (fur hood-like shoulder cape) and cope. The style is London D. He came from a local family and served as rector from 1455. Six brasses of villagers, dated 1505-1541, survived c<i>.</i> 1700 (Blomefield) but some had gone by 1743 (Cole), leaving only the 2 that Relhan records. Today (2020), there are several indents of their small brasses in the nave.</p><p>Bell 1883; Blomefield 1751; Heseltine 1981; Palmer 1932; Lack 1995; VCH 1989</p><p><b>161 Girton church. Brass of William Stevyn, 1497</b></p><p>The brass of William Stevyn has also been removed. It consisted of a large (93 cm long) figure of a priest in his habit, his cope edged with a floral design, in S chancel, in London D style. He was a Canon at Lincoln, succeeded William Malster at Girton in 1493 and died 1497. He bequeathed to the parishioners baudekin (embroidered fabric woven with gold and silver threads) from his private oratory, for an altar frontal, other ornaments and books, mostly of canon and civil law. The quality of Relhan’s drawing is as (<b>160</b>).</p><p>Bell 1883; Heseltine 1981; Palmer 1932; VCH 1989</p></p>