Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Wall Monument Definition

History and Architecture

Wall Monument

Sometimes called mural monuments, the wall monument is exactly what it sounds like; a funerary monument set against or hanging upon a church wall. In the medieval period the most common form of monument was a horizontal tomb, like a chest, sometimes with an effigy of the deceased on a slab atop the chest. Around the time of the Reformation it became more popular to create a hanging mural, often using half-length effigy figures, carved and painted. These half length effigies are sometimes called 'demi-figures'.

A common Elizabethan and Jacobean style was to show small carved and painted figures of a kneeling couple facing each other across a small altar, with still smaller figures of the children arranged in rows of male and female figures along the front of the memorial. Such memorials were often decorated with heraldic emblems showing the real - or imaginery - family history of the deceased.

During the Georgian and Victorian period wall monuments were often shown as a cartouche, or form of stylised classical scroll, with an inscription to the deceased within the scroll.

Related: Altar   Cartouche   Effigy  




National Trust

National Trust membership

National Trust membership

Free entry to National Trust properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus discounted admission to National Trust for Scotland properties.

Membership details

About the National Trust


HISTORY CORNER
Name the mystery historic attraction
See larger image



The Houses of Parliament are more properly called ...



18 April, 1853

Gladstone's first Free Trade budget

Gladstone was a leading force for free trade, countered by Disreali's voice on behalf of protectionism

This Danish king was followed by Edward the Confessor



Passionate about British Heritage!