Gaylard Monument In Churchyard, About 2 Metres East Of Chancel, Church Of St Mary The Virgin

The Gaylard monument is a headstone located about 2 metres east of the chancel in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Stoke Sub Hamdon. This 18th-century monument is made of Ham stone and measures approximately 1.05 metres wide and 1.65 metres high. It features a chamfered back and is framed by a twisted vine design, with a central drop that extends nearly half the height of the panel. The top of the stone is almost flat and includes two semi-circular arches adorned with angels holding trumpets. In the central panel, there is a waving figure, with a skull depicted in a scroll panel to the left and an hourglass to the right. The monument commemorates Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Gaylard, who died in 1737, along with others. It is one of the largest stones in the churchyard, which has a variety of monuments, and is among the best preserved, showcasing the craftsmanship of the masons from the nearby Ham stone quarry.