The Stuart Period 1603-1714
Sampson Erdeswicke, Staffordshire Historian and nationally noted antiquarian married twice. By his first wife, Elizabeth, he had five daughters. By his second wife, Mary Neale, widow of Everard Digby, he had two sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Richard, inherited Sandon in 1603 while still a minor.
The estate was heavily encumbered, and in 1624 Richard sold the manor to his half-brother, George Digby to settle some of his debts. George was succeeded in 1675 by his daughter, who married Lord Gerard of Bromley. Their granddaughter, Elizabeth, became the second wife of the Duke of Hamilton. Elizabeth and a cousin, Charlotte, became embroiled in a quarrel over inheritance, which led to a duel in Hyde Park in 1712 and the resulting deaths of both husbands.
During this period, the church continued as a focal point in the parish. Churchwardens provided for law and order to be maintained, assisted the poor and cared for the wellbeing of the parish. Even today, the churchwardens are elected by the people of the parish, not just the churchgoers, a hangover from this time.
The Digby influence on Sandon All Saints
George Digby became owner, Lay Rector and Patron of Sandon, having acquired the rights from his half-brother, Richard Erdeswicke in 1624.
Digby’s patronage remains visible in the church today. Inside the Vestry door hangs the “Digby Bell”, on which is inscribed “GEORGE DIGBYE ESQVIRE” together with two decorative short bands and the date 1635. Recent (June 2021) exploration of the history of the bell, by Stuart Hutchieson of Abbotts Bromley, indicates that the bell founder was James Keene of Woodstock and is now the only known surviving bell of his in Staffordshire.
In 1643 at the time of the Civil War Battle of Hopton Heath, nearby, it is believed that the Parliamentary forces cut off the arms of the recumbent stone figure of Sampson Erdeswicke, believing that he would have been a Royalist.
Digby sponsored several alterations to the church in 1655, including the addition of an inner porch. With the help of architect and mason, Edward Trubshaw, he re-orientated the interior of the church to north-south, possibly as a response to the Reformation requirement to have no colourful ornamentation and possibly as a reaction to his father’s domineering personality, as personified in the Chancel.
The altar would have been placed on the east wall of the north aisle, as evidenced by the adjacent piscina, the vestry being built some 200 years later. It is known that the pews in the nave and south aisle were turned to face north and the altar.
The recent oral tradition had it that the altar was situated on the north wall of the north aisle. This idea probably came about from the requirement that vicars in the early 20th century were required to administer the sacraments from the north side of the Communion Table. (i.e. “Northern Position Vicars”- Reverend Dick Sargent), but this idea for the altar’s position was clearly misguided.
This was also accomplished by:
The shortening of the nave by 19 feet with the fourth arch filled in, becoming an outside wall with window.
Introducing a Communion Table, dated 1644 in the north aisle. (In later centuries this was referred to as the “old Chancel”).
Adding oak pews on which were carved the Digby Arms, the Fleur de Lys with an angel’s wing on either side.
Provision of the oak Jacobean Pulpit. Subsequently raised on a pedestal with the provision of a short staircase.
Increasing the bells from 1 to 3.
Large stone font dated 1669; incised John Palmer and William Atkinson Churchwardens.
This re-ordering also accounts for George Digby’s tomb being in the centre of the present Chancel until 1929. In his time, it would have been in the side aisle. Digby died in 1675.
Historical references
Several references to Sandon can be found from this period.
February 8th 1685/6 Terrier of Glebe Land belonging to ye Vicarage Sandon and tythes, taken out at Lichfield by the Churchwardens.
From 1690 to 1726 the Churchwardens certified collections of various sums ranging from one pound nineteen shillings and one penny to five pence for various causes around the country from fire damage to churches and relief of the poor, to Irish Protestants and even for the redemption of Captives in Algiers.
Things to see in the church.
A reduced refectory table acts as a communion table and altar and is dated 1644.
High up above the Lady Chapel east window is an inscription to the architect of the restoration during the Commonwealth, ‘Edward Trubshaw, Mason, 1655’.
The angle formed by the chancel’s south wall and Lady Chapel’s east wall, in the churchyard, might be called ‘Vicars’ Corner’ in that it contains the tombstones of several 18th-century vicars: James Tomkinson (1683 – 1709), John Palmer (1807 – 1716) and George Bonney (1792 – 1826), together with the small coffin of an infant child of his.
Large Stuart Royal Coat of Arms, early to mid-17th century, located on the north wall in the nave. For further details please see “6 Significant Features” elsewhere in the website
The large board on the south wall of the church shows details of charitable requests, such as Ralph Lander 1701 providing for the poor and in 1672 maintained Mary ffavington and Elizabeth ye daughters of Rich : ffavington . In 1659 the parish appointed Rob Lander son of Tho:Lander, of Harwick, as Constable. His family served as churchwardens several times in the following years to 1805. The parish also appointed two Churchwardens, a Constable and Overseer for the poor. Responsibilities of the churchwardens were wide-ranging and covered what is now the purview of local and central government.
The Landers Charity, willed by Ralph Landers in 1701, left 30 shillings for a sermon to be preached annually, and 2 shillings to provide 24 loaves for the poor each week. This charity still exists.
The Vicars and Patrons of Sandon All Saints
Records of the Vicars and Patrons of Sandon All Saints begin in the Medieval Period and continue through to the current day.
