Edwardian Inventory

The Edwardian Inventory of 1552

On 23 July 1552, commissioners acting for the government of the young Edward VI recorded^[1] the possessions of St Peter’s Church, Ilmer. The goods were placed in the custody of Edmund Godwyn and William Mede, probably the parish representatives or churchwardens.

The church possessed:

1. Three large bells, a small sanctus bell and a handbell
2. A latten—copper-alloy—processional cross
3. Three copes: one red silk and two described as “changeable colour”
4. Three sets of vestments: red silk, red velvet and changeable-coloured
5. A latten censer for burning incense
6. Four latten candlesticks
7. Three altar cloths and one painted cloth
8. Two linen banners and a cloth for covering the cross
9. Two towels and another linen cloth
10. A partly gilded silver chalice with its paten
11. Two corporals, used beneath the communion vessels
12. A veil cloth, possibly used to cover the rood during Lent
13. Three surplices

The inventory formed part of Edward VI’s nationwide survey of church property during the Reformation. Much of the ceremonial equipment subsequently disappeared as traditional Catholic worship was suppressed.

Transcribed by the Rev J.E. Brown^[2], and published in 1908:

[1-13, no. 11] Ilmer
Thys inventorye indentyde made [23 July 1552] of all
the goodes . . . perteyning to the paryshe churche of
Ilmere . . . . betwene [the same commissioners by virtue
of the same commission] and Edmund Godwyn and
Wylliam Mede all whyche goodes [etc., as above.]

In primis iij belles a saunse bell and a handebell
Item a crosse of lattynne
Item iij coppes on of red sylke and the other of a changeabull color
Item on senser of lattynne
Item iij vestementes on rede sylke the seconde rede velvat and the thyrde a changeabull color
Item iij awter clothes and a paynted clothe
Item iiij candellstykes of lattynne
Item ij baner clothes of lynnen and a crosse clothe
Item ij towelles and a lynnen clothe
Item a challys of percell gyllte and a pattent
Item ij corporas and a vayle clothe
Item iij surplesys

[Three marks]

The names of Edmund Godwyn and Wylliam Mede were written in another hand.

* Drawing of Ilmer Church from handbill sold in aid of the Ilmer Church restoration fund, printed by Judges Ltd, Hastings. Reproduced in 1978 Flower Festival scrapbook. Artist unknown.