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Sonning Church

Chancel Floor: Brass effigy

A small effigy on an arch shaped plate, 10 inches by 5 inches, with inscription underneath on a plate, 19 inches by 9 inches, in Roman lettering:

"Here lieth Elizabeth Chute daughter of Sir George Chute, knight, and Dame Anna, his wife, who lived 3 years and 6 months and died the 18th of May Anno 1627.
What beauty would have lovely styled
What manners sweet, what nature mild
What wonder perfect, all were filed
Upon record in this one child
And till the coming of the soul
To call the flesh, we keep ye roll."

Although the inscription tells us that Elizabeth was only three years and six months when she died, yet she is represented as a full grown lady, wearing a dress reaching to the feet, with large turned up collar, and slashed sleeves. She is wearing a long cloak fastened over the shoulders and falling down behind. The bodice is embroidered and around her neck is a band or chain to which an ornament is suspended. It is probably of local workmanship.

Costume Description taken from H.T. Morley's "Monumental Brasses of Berkshire" (1924)