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Aldermaston

Aldermaston Church was a Saxon Minster. The medieval Achard family, who entertained Henry III at the manor (1227), gave the parish church away to Sherborne (ie. Pamber) Priory (Hants). The priest had to ride over on his horse every Sunday. It is a beautiful church full of reminders of past Lords of the Manor. The Forster Chapel houses non-effigial brasses and some heraldic glass. Beneath the entrance arch is the building's finest treasure: the splendid alabaster monument to Sir George Forster and his wife (c.1530). You can only imagine its magnificence in its original painted state. The carving is superb: the angels at the pillows and the little dog at Lady Forster's feet. Especially appealing are the sixteen tiny weepers around the outside of the chest. They are said to represent the couple's children, but their painted arms have long disappeared and individual identification is no longer possible. In good light, though, this area is still quite colourful. Sir George's standard also hangs in the church. There is also a fine Royal Arms of Charles I and a large collection of Congreve hatchments. The chancel is decorated with Victorian wall paintings that include a portrait of Miss Keyser, the daughter of the Lord of the Manor. The north window houses the oldest glass in the county: two 13th century roundels featuring the annunciation and the coronation of the Virgin Mary.