The Four Poster Bed Tomb of Sir Thomas and Lady St Pol
St Lawrence Church in Snarford, is a redundant church tucked away on a quiet lane, far from the usual tourist track.
There’s not even a village, just a few scattered houses and farms.
Yet in this out of the way spot lies a small church, blessed with not one, not two, but three superb Elizabethan and Jacobean monuments!
The village of Snarford was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it had a population of 16 families.
The name probably comes from Snardesforde, meaning ‘Snortr’s ford’.
Snortr was likely one of the Vikings who settled in this area of Lincolnshire, during the 9th century.
The village grew in size during medieval times, but by the beginning of the Tudor period, there was little left.
In 1606 Sir George St Paul, began the building of Snarford Hall, which has now vanished.
The St Paul family left an indelible mark on this small church, however, in the form of the funerary monuments located in the chancel.
The most important monuments are in the chancel and the chapel.
Behind the altar is the free-standing tomb chest of Sir Thomas St. Pol, who died in 1588.
The tomb is in the form of a six poster bed, and on top of the tomb are the effigies of Thomas and his wife, Faith.
Sir Thomas is dressed in plate armour, and is holding a sword and a prayer book.
His head rests on a helmet, his feet on a cushion.
Lady Faith is wearing a long dress, a cloak and a hat, and is holding a Bible.
Above the couple are depictions of their 8 children, four of whom died in infancy.
Above them is a canopy carried by six pillars.
🌹 Picture Credits – Julian P Gruffogg
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