Timber effigy of a knight thought to be Sir William Combemartin at St Margarets Church in Alderton, Northants, circa 1320
This effigy had been previously restored by Fred Crossley (co- author of the famous book English Church Woodwork Batsford) who used wax to conserve decayed woodwork. Over the years, the wax has harden pulling the surface away although even the initial application does not look as though it penetrated very far.
It is interesting to see these same problems with wax consolidation as are being encountered by wall paintings conservators of wall paintings conserved by Prf.Tristram in the same period as Crossley was consolidating timber. We would like to to see if any other examples of Fred Crossley restoration work are known to have been preserved using the same technique.
When the church suffered serious collapse in the early 19th century and was rebuilt, the tombchest was lost. Since then the effigy has been displayed in various in the church. Hugh Harrison Conservation were commissioned to design a new tombchest in order to make a permanent display, which has now been completed and installed in March 2025. The chest is made of oak by joiner Danny Stewart at his workshop in Devon. Carved paterae by Dave Collacott adorn the base, and make reference to Sir Williams renown as a producer of wool which was traded with the continent. The inscription is by stone and wood carver Lisi Ambridge of Its Written in Stone.
