1472

Born

c 1490

Married

 

c 1495

Birth of a son

 

c 1500

Birth of a daughter

 

1534

Died

1534

History

At Herstmonceux Castle

 

Thomas, Lord Dacre, died in 1534: the provisions of his will (dated Sept. 1, 1531) are of considerable interest to the ecclesiastical antiquary. They are as follows :-

"My body to be buried in the parish church of Hurst Monceaux, on the north side of the high altar. I will that a tomb be there made for placing the sepulchre of our Lord, with all fitting furniture thereto, in honour of the most blessed sacrament. Also, I will, that a cl. be employed towards the lights about the said sepulchre, in wax tapers, of ten pounds weight each, to burn about it. Also, I will, that my funeral be solemnized according to the degree of a baron, and that a tomb be set over my grave, to the end that it may be known where my body resteth. Also, I will, that an honest priest shall sing there for my soul, by the space of seven years, taking annually for his salary, and to find bread, wine, and wax, xii marks sterling."

Proved 1534.
In pursuance of the directions of this will, the stately monument which adorns the chancel of the parish church was erected, and which, though it has suffered much from time and the barbarous hand of sacrilege, and the scarcely less barbarous touch of renovation, may justly be styled one of the finest specimens of monumental architecture in the county of Sussex. Beneath its richly-fretted canopy repose the effigies of Thomas, Lord Dacre, and his son, Sir Thomas Dacre (who preceded his father to the tomb), each clad in complete armour, with the exception of the head which is bare, with their hands raised in an attitude of supplication. Lord Dacre had married Anne, the daughter of Sir Humphry Bourchier, a granddaughter of John, Lord Berners. His son had allied himself to the house of Sutton, having taken to wife Joan, daughter of Edward and sister of John, Lord Dudley.