St. Mary the Virgin, Waterperry - Memorial Brasses

Image: © Gerald Massey Taken: 31 Jul 2009

The village of Waterperry lies 7 miles (11 km) east of Oxford on the border with Buckinghamshire. Waterperry House is the former home of the Curson and Henley families, and the tiny Church of St. Mary the Virgin lies adjacent to it, representatives of both families lying in the grave-yard. Although the earliest reference to Waterperry is in Domesday in 1086, the church is not mentioned although its architecture suggests that a Church had been there since Saxon times. Among its points of interest are a fine Jacobean three-decker pulpit, box-pews, some interesting windows and the brasses shown here. This impressive 16th century brass memorial is in the chancel. It portrays the effigies of Walter Curson - bareheaded and dressed in armour - and his wife Isabel - wearing a headdress and gown - both with their hands at prayer. His feet rest on a lion while Isabel’s feet rest by a dog wearing a collar and bells.

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