I didn't know a whole heap about Winchelsea before we popped over for lunch on our Brede adventures. I was vaguely aware that it was a cinqueport and it was established on this site by a charter from Edward I in 1281. However it goes back further than that as Old Winchelsea was a place of great significance which unfortunately ceased as it all fell into the sea. The new town [one of the smallest in England with a population of 500] used to be by the sea, but as the area has all silted up it now finds itself most definitely inland. I think that you can see how splendid it would have been back in the day simply from the size of its parish church even though a fair portion of that now lies in ruins.
Back in the 13th century the Alard family were one of the important families. They didn't want their memory to fade over time and by commissioning an impressive set of tombs they were successful in their mission. I felt that the purbeck marble effigies of a Knight, a lady and a civilian wearing the fashionable clothes of the 1320s were pretty stunning. These canopies tombs are built into the walls of the North Chapel. It's believed that the trio are Robert, his wife Isabel and his brother Henry.
However, if you wander over to the South Chapel this is where you'll find the big cheese...Gervase Alard. His brother Stephen lies in the tomb next to him, but somehow it's noticeably just that bit smaller. The main man is depicted in armour holding a heart in his hands. In life he made his money in wine trading with Gascony and and he was the Baron of the Cinque Ports
My motivation was a little different...I had got wind of the fact that it has some rather cracking foliate spewing faces on it and as it's been a while..........
From the little I saw of it the town looks to be very charming and popular in the tourist season I'd guess. If you've a mind to visit the church it also has the most fabulous set of windows which cast a lovely light when the sun shines through. I've just included the one image to give you an idea. They were designed by Douglas Strachan between 1929 and 1933.
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