St Andrew's Church, Redbourne

St Andrew’s Church in the Lincolnshire village of Redbourne is noted for several peculiarities. The first is the height of the tower, which appears to be a tower built upon another tower. The medieval one was ‘extended’ by the Georgians, in order, it is thought, to be seen from the local manor house, which became a home to the Dukes of St Albans.

The second is a rather lurid stained-glass window on the north side. It appears to show the Day of Judgement or the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6. Fire (or is it lava?) appears to be sweeping persons away, while others are clinging onto jewels and coin in a vain attempt to secure them. It is dated to the 1830s.

The third is a the grave slab of Sir Gerard Sothill, which depicts the knight lying in full armour, his feet on a greyhound, and his head supported by angels:

‘Hic iacet dominus Gerardus Sothill miles, qui obiit primo die Augusti Anno Domini millesimo CCCV cuius anime miserere Deus. Amen

(‘Here lies Sir Gerard Sothill, knight, who died on the first day of August in the year of our Lord 1350.’- (or is it 1305? -though an information board states he died in the year 1410).

A tower to impress the rich, a window to warn the rich, and a gravestone of the rich. Such warnings are truly needed. The wealthy enjoy earthly life more than most; the scriptures warn them of the wrath to come more than most, and they go on to die just like everyone else.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23-24