, a curious old inscription was
discovered upon the summit of the walls, reaching from one end of the
church to the other, but it was very remarkable, that the centres of all
the letters, (which were about a foot in length) were entirely, and
apparently designedly effaced, so that not the slightest meaning could be
discovered from it.

In the chancel, is the curious and remarkable effigy of Thomas lord
Braose ob. 1396. This noble and ancient family were formerly almost the
sole proprietors of the county of Sussex. One of their residences was at
Chesworth, an ancient mansion to the south of the town, which shall
afterwards be described; and Bramber Castle also near Steyning,
originally appertained to these powerful barons. The head of the figure,
"is defended by a basinet, ornamented by a draplet of jewels, his throat
by the ample carmail, attached to the helmet as in the time of Edward
III. His arms are in plate armour, and his body in a shortened hauberk,
kept from pressing on his chest, by means of the plastron, or
breast-plate, within. Over this is the juppon, bearing his coat of arms,
viz. seme of cross croslets, a lion rampant crowned. Suspended from his
military girdle at his right hip, is his dagger, the sheath of which, is
ornamented in an architectural style, and in the same manner at the left,
hung his long sword, of which no traces now remain. On his insteps, are
large pieces attached to the spur leathers, and terminated by indented
edges which conceal the chain mail beneath. His jousting helmet,
surmounted by his crest, a demi-lion rampant, issuing from a coronet, is
under his head, but greatly mutilated, all below the oscularium, having
been destroyed." {12}

[Picture: Braose monument]

At a very small distance from the above mentioned monument, is a very
beautiful altar tomb of white marble, relieved alternately by slabs of
black: upon this is an admirable and most elaborately executed figure, of
a lady, in long flowing robes, her right hand reclines upon her breast,
while her left rests upon the Holy Scriptures, in a peculiarly graceful
manner: it is the work of Francis Fanelli, an Italian sculptor, of great
eminence in his day, and has escaped the devastation generally inflicted
on works of art in the parochial edifices of Sussex; the inscription is
as follows.

Here lyeth (expecting a joyfull resurction,) the body of Elizabeth,
late wife of Thomas Delves Esqui