On
a low wall-tomb in the south or Wyke aisle,
rests the cross-legged effigy of a knight in
stone. It is life-size; but the sculpture is
in bad condition. The head appears to have been
replaced by a rude imitation in plaster or stone
and the left or exposed side of the figure is
considerably mutilated. The effigy is represented
as habited in the quilted gambison, over which
is the sleeved hauberk of chain-mail; and chausses
of chain-mail encase the feet and legs. And,
there are apparently poleyns or knee-plates.
The hands, resting on the chest, are pressed
together, as if enclosing some object, perhaps
a heart, as in other examples of the same period.
The head is supported by an angular stone block;
and at the feet, reclines the figure of some
animal so mutilated as to be indistinguishable.
The broken crockets and finials on the canopy
and wall-shafts, imply that the tomb must have
been a handsome one in its perfect state. Mr.
Blore believes the figure to be of about the
year 1280, temp. of Edward I; and considers
that in its perfect state, it was no doubt a
beautiful specimen of the art of the period;
at the present time its chief interest arises
from the arms being represented on the surcoat,
a circumstance which rarely occurs at so early
a period.
The Rev. Charles Kerry considers the tomb hardly
so early as this and places it at about A.D.1327.
The width of the slab on which the figure lies
is 26ins; the length of the slab 6ft.6ins and
the height of the canopy 5ft.4ins. It is not
rightly known what knight is here represented;
but it is considered to be an effigy of one
of the Dandelys. It can hardly be Sir Richard,
as the date of the tomb is later than his period.
It has been seen that the family held in various
parts of Hampshire and inferentially in Wyke
Manor; but what is known of the Dandelys in
connection with Wyke comes through the Beyntons.
The arms borne by the effigy are similar to
those of Sir Richard Dandely (two bars, each
charged with three crosses). It might certainly
represent a member of that family. It has been
stated that the cross-legged effigy represents
one who had been a crusader. That a Sir Roger
des Andelys served in the Barons' wars we have
the testimony of a document upon the History
of France, published by the Government.
