Parsons Monument In The Churchyard About 8 Metres South Of Nave Of Anglican Church Of St Thomas À Becket

The Parsons Monument is an early 19th-century chest tomb located in the churchyard of St Thomas à Becket in Pucklechurch, approximately 8 metres south of the nave. It commemorates Jane Parsons (died 1807) and other members of the Parsons family. The sandstone monument has a flat top with a moulded edge, a plinth, and plain quarter balusters.

The history of Pucklechurch traces back to Roman times, developing into an important Anglo-Saxon settlement, a royal burh, and the site of Edmund, King of Wessex’s hunting lodge. The manor was granted to Glastonbury Abbey in AD 950 and later transferred to Bath Abbey. Following the Dissolution in the 16th century, the village was rebuilt and modernized, indicated by the construction of large houses in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Further prosperity occurred in the mid-19th century with the opening of local collieries.

The parish church, originally founded in the Norman period, largely dates from the 13th century. Additions included a north aisle and south porch in the 14th century, along with parts of the tower. A chantry was established in 1337. Further alterations took place in the 17th century, and major renovations occurred in the 19th century, first by R C Carpenter (1846-56) and then by J D Sedding (1889), including reordering, window replacement, new fittings, and stained glass. Minor refitting occurred in the 20th century. The Parsons tomb is designated at Grade II for its architectural interest as a good example of an early 19th-century chest tomb and for its group value, relating to the Grade I-listed church of St Thomas à Becket and other listed tombs in the churchyard.