Our friends Geoff and Anne drove across from Maidenhead and we went to the Black Lion pub in High Roding for a very good meal. Then we stopped at Great Canfield church – just down the road from our cottage at TL594180. The benefice website for the the six parishes has a wonderful typo “a past report by the Diocesan surveyor said ‘This church is'” – that’s where it finishes. Add your own comment!
Geoff’s grandfather came from here, and Geoff had been efficient enough to have the phone number of James the churchwarden. He happily came and unlocked and gave us the guided tour. There is a Norman motte and bailey just behind the church, and the building itself dates to 1150 – there was probably an earlier wooden building. The manor belonged to Alberic de Ver at the time of the Domesday Book, and the de Vere family remain patrons for many years. Nice flint rubble walls and the odd Roman brick, good C12 windows in the Chancel.
The south door has two capitals, both carved. Each has a mask – one has scrolls from the mouth, the other two birds bending towards the beard. To quote the very scholarly guide “The abaci have zigzag ornament, and the western reveal has squares on which fylfots are carved.” A “fylfot” is what we know as a Swastika (which means ‘good luck’ in Sanskrit). Apparently these signs were adopted by early Christians as a form of the cross, and are found in the catacombs of St Calixtus – so now you know! The tympanum has zig zag decoration – there’s a similar pattern in the north door (presumably a modern reproduction).
Inside there is a lovely monument – to Sir William Wiseman and his family. They took over from the de Veres in the sixteenth century – this monument dates to the seventeenth century. It was originally placed behind the altar. Beside the altar are some brasses to members of the same family – one is to “John Wyseman esquire sometime one of the auditors of our soveraigne lorde kynge Henry theight of the revenues of the crown”. Apparently (and I didn’t find this out until reading the guidebook) the date of his death is given as 17 August 1558 in “annis regnorum Phillipi et Marie qunito et sexton”. The other is to Thomas Fitch, 1588, his wife Agnes, and their sons and daughters.
When the Wiseman monument was removed in 1888, the mural painting was discovered. Painted in red and yellow ochre, probably dating to about 1250. Apparently the picture of the Virgin and Child is very similar to one by Matthew Paris, in his manuscript dating between 1250 and 1259. At the Reformation it was painted over, rather than scraped off, then hidden by the monument. It kept it safe – and it is rather special.
The Marian theme is continued in a window dating to the 1970s in the Nave. Designed by Brian Thomas it shows Mary’s Feast Days – quite beautiful. The parish chest is seventeenth century. Built into the Chancel arch is an Anglo-Scandinavian burial slab – with a clever mirror contraption so you can see it. There’s also a marble font and a marble pulpit, a wooden box and a wooden cradle.
In the churchyard is a memorial to Isaac Lodge VC. It was awarded to him for his actions at Korn Spruit in the Boer War in 1900. “On 31 March 1900 British troops were ambushed on their march to Bloemfontein by Boer commandos. Under heavy fire, ‘Q’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery managed to rescue all but one of their guns. Every man in the battery showed considerable bravery and under Rule 13 of the Victoria Cross Warrant, four officers and men were nominated by their fellows for the award. Isaac Lodge, then a gunner, was elected, together with his commanding officer, Major Edmund Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Parker and Driver Horace Glasock. Lodge was decorated by Lord Roberts in Pretoria that October. Isaac Lodge was born at Great Canfield in Essex on 6 May 1866. He enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1888 and transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery in February 1889. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 1903 and after six more years with the colours he was discharged. He later worked as a Keeper in the Royal Parks and died in a London hospital in June 1923. Lodge also received the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, the King George V Coronation Medal 1911 and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, 1907″ says the National Army Museum who have his medals.
An amazing amount in a locked church in the middle of a hamlet in the middle of nowhere, five miles from Stansted. I think they need an advertising board in the airport- “Come and see Great Canfield’s little gem – fylfots included” (in the words of Basil Fawlty “don’t mention the War”). And we had better not mention the Boer War either!
Hello,
My husband and I did the Ancestry DNA and I was able to trace my fathers line, the Wiseman family back to Great Canfield England. My 11th great grandparents, are buried on the church grounds along with their family members. My 11th great grandparents are Sir John Wiseman and Agnes josselyn, their son Thomas Wiseman is my 10th great grandfather, which Also my fathers name was Thomas Wiseman, but he was named Thomas from his grandfather on his mothers side. My husband and I would love to go back to England, so that we can visit Great Canfield.
Thank you for reminding me of a visit I made three years ago. I hope you will make a visit to England soon. Best wishes, Peter
Peter,
Do you have ancestors buried there? It is hard to tell when we will ever go back.
When we went there almost twenty years ago, I knew that we had ancestors over in England, but at the time, all I knew is that they were from Norfolk, I wish I knew what I know now about my ancestors? Right now I have 54% English and my husband is 78% English, since we live in the states, it is going to be a while before we are able to go back to England. Apparently my Wiseman family were wealthy people. My husband said that he would love to live in England. I don’t blame him, it is a beautiful place, tons of history, which we really both love.
Hello Terri,
I have just found your posts on the Northern vicars blog about the Wiseman’s of Great Canfield in Essex England. I have traced my Wiseman ancestors back to a William Wiseman, who died in 1614 at Stathern Leicestershire England.
In looking at the wider Wiseman family I came across John Wiseman married to Agnes Josslyn. In his Will of 1558 he mentions three sons ; John, Robert and Thomas.
He further goes on to bequeath to Thomas, his second son, various ex monastic lands in Leicestershire.
I am wondering wether there might be a connection with my William Wiseman and the Thomas Wiseman mentioned in John Wiseman’s will. There is information about the other two sons (both members of parliament) but nothing about Thomas other than he might have died at Chelmsford Essex in 1563 or 1568. Also that he was born 17 April 1550 and that he was married to Dorothy Newce or Nuce.
I wonder what you might know about him as you tell us he was your 10th Gt. Grandfather. I await with eager anticipation for any news you may have!!!
Yours sincerely.
Richard Wiseman.
Richard,
I would love to help. Can you give me more info on William Wiseman, his vitals. I hope I can help you connect the Wiseman’s all together. My maiden name was Wiseman.
Hi Terri,
My 5th got grandfather left Leicestershire for London in the 1720s with his younger brother. They were the youngest sons of a farming family , who for four generations lived variously in Eaton or Stathern in Leicestershire.
I feel they must have had money or influence as both had businesses in the city of London, not something you could turn up and go with, as control was in the hands of Livery companies and quilds etc. ( I need to go to London and research this aspect)
I have followed the family back through the wills they made, and William Wiseman died in 1618/9 left a will leaving his loom and weights to his son and some barley and his bees to his daughter.
Here the trail runs cold, so while looking around the wider Wiseman family I came across Sir John Wiseman of Great Canfield, in his will he left proberbly ex monastic lands in Leicestershire to his second son Thomas. Information about Thomas is almost non exsistant, no sign of a will or whether he had any issue.
Was William his son or grandson? The only information on William is his wife’s name was Margaret and she died 1613 at Stathern.
Any information aboutThomas would be most welcome,I’ve be looking at this now for several years,
Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you about.
Thanks in advance for your help and interest.
Richard Wiseman.
Richard,
Good morning, I will do my best to help you.
I love helping people, but I have another question. Do you live in England ?
I live in the US in the state of West Virginia, I live about an hour from Washington DC
My wiseman family arrived in 1699 from England to Pennsylvania on the boat the Canterbury with William Penn, but I have a special request. Do you have a tree that I can look at. If not that is ok. I will be looking up some information and get back to you.
My email address is tlsmith67@comcast.net
Hi Terri,
My 5th got grandfather left Leicestershire for London in the 1720s with his younger brother. They were the youngest sons of a farming family , who for four generations lived variously in Eaton or Stathern in Leicestershire.
I feel they must have had money or influence as both had businesses in the city of London, not something you could turn up and go with, as control was in the hands of Livery companies and guilds etc. ( I need to go to London and research this aspect)
I have followed the family back through the wills they made, and William Wiseman died in 1618/9 left a will leaving his loom and weights to his son and some barley and his bees to his daughter.
Here the trail runs cold, so while looking around the wider Wiseman family I came across Sir John Wiseman of Great Canfield, in his will he left possibly ex monastic lands in Leicestershire to his second son Thomas. Information about Thomas is almost non existent, no sign of a will or whether he had any issue.
Was William his son or grandson? The only information on William is his wife’s name was Margaret and she died 1613 at Stathern.
Any information aboutThomas would be most welcome,I’ve be looking at this now for several years,
Let me know if there is anything else I can tell you about.
Thanks in advance for your help and interest.
Richard Wiseman.
Richard,
Can I have your 5th Great grandfathers name and when he was born and where he was born and when he died and where, and his brothers or sisters, there were so many wiseman’s, I have to make sure I am looking at the correct line of wiseman’s. Thanks.
Do you have ancestors buried there? It is hard to tell when we will ever go back.
When we went there almost twenty years ago, I knew that we had ancestors over in England, but at the time, all I knew is that they were from Norfolk, I wish I knew what I know now about my ancestors? Right now I have 54% English and my husband is 78% English, since we live in the states, it is going to be a while before we are able to go back to England. Apparently my Wiseman family were wealthy people. My husband said that he would love to live in England. I don’t blame him, it is a beautiful place, tons of histo
No, it was simply a church I visited while on holiday. Cheers, Peter
Good Morning Terri,
My 5th great grandfather was Solomon Wiseman born Stathern Leicestershire 1715-1795 (his will states he was of Hornsey, Middlesex, but he was buried in Derbyshire where his wife came from) his brother was Richard Wiseman 1717-?.
Incidentally, Richard’s son also Solomon, was transported to Australia in 1801 after a “misunderstanding” over some timber removed from a ship on the river Thames. He made good and there still exists a ferry and hotel (and a statue) on the Hawksbury river Australia.
I do indeed live in England, in the village of Ravensthorpe, more or less in the middle of England. My family tree is on Ancestry, and is titled Wiseman. Hopefully if you search for Solomon you should find it.
All the best.
Richard.
Richard,
Wow, we have a lot in common. My grandfathers younger brothers name was Solomon Wiseman, I will look into it. My husband loves London. We were there back in 2003. We loved it. I will let you know what I find.
By the way, I also found out that I am related to a lot of people in England. Especially the Royal family. It seems the whole world 🌍 is connected.
Terri wiseman smith
Richard,
I think I found you on ancestry. Your username is ravensthorpenursery .
Is this correct? Do you have Blonde Hair? If this is yours, I tried to message you there, but it came back saying you aren’t receiving messages. Thanks.
Richard,
I looked up to see if there is a relationship between the two Wiseman family, and I can’t find no connection so far. Have you been to the Familysearch website? They have a new website called Relativefinder and I put in the name of William Wiseman and born 1555 and died in 1618 Thomas Wiseman and there is no connection between the two wiseman family, but that doesn’t mean anything, we might be connected on down the line. Like 1300s or 1400s.
Mrs. Terri wiseman smith
Could you and Richard swap emails and communicate that way – then I won’t need to approve every comment via the blog! Though I am very pleased a church I visited quite a few years ago has led to a good relationship. Best wishes, Peter
Could you and Terri swap emails and communicate that way – then I won’t need to approve every comment via the blog! Though I am very pleased a church I visited quite a few years ago has led to a good relationship. Best wishes, Peter
Peter,
Yes, I think I found him on ancestry and on familysearch. So I will contact him through there, thank you for contacting me and letting me know, much appreciated it. Have a great evening.