All Saints' Church, Maiden Bradley

I was delighted to come across All Saints' Church in the south Wiltshire village of Maiden Bradley this autumn. Its custodians had considerately left it unlocked so the prayerful and the curious might enter. It all seemed so typical: a nice, medieval parish church nesting in an attractive little village.

Straight away, however, I was struck by a contrast. On the south side was a splendid tomb, carved from various types of marble. A gentleman in periwig and Restoration-era dress was reclining, with an expression of hauteur, a lengthy poem recounting his illustrious ancestry and his many and varied achievements. Sir Edward Seymour had fought bravely for the King in the civil wars and later became a privy councillor and Commons Speaker. He was related to the Dukes of Somerset who eventually resided in that parish. Yet his own character was generally disliked by contemporaries; it was as proud and arrogant as his effigy suggests.

This Tory grandee is said to have had the following exchange with the Prince of Orange, later William III:

"I think, Sir Edward, that you are of the family of the Duke of Somerset."

"Pardon me, your highness, but the Duke of Somerset is of my family.”

The contrast is found at the parish altar. These are often opulent affairs, with gilded crosses illuminated by heavy brass candlesticks backed by a gaudy, Victorian reredos. But not here. A plain cross sits astride a simple surface, against a whitewashed background illuminated by clear, unstained daylight. Only the altar cloth lends a hint of luxury to this humble focus of devotion. The chancel is more dignified by its simplicity than Sir Edward’s grandiose and boastful memorial. Humans will always point out their virtues, their accomplishments and their wonderful list of titles and accolades. Christ, the very King of Glory, gently points us to His Cross:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13