8. Wenman Tomb

The Wenman Tomb, now located in the north aisle of St. Mary’s Church in Witney, commemorates Richard Wenman, a wealthy wool merchant who passed away in 1534. Originally situated in a former chantry chapel beyond the medieval wooden parclose screen, the tomb was part of a space taken over by the Wenman family, who lived at nearby Caswell House in Curbridge. Over time, the tomb was moved to its current position among other memorials in the church.

This chest tomb is topped with a Purbeck marble slab, adorned with brass images of Richard, his two wives—Christian, who died in 1501, and Anne, who passed in 1538—and their five daughters. Richard’s depiction shows him in a fur-lined gown with a belt and purse, representing his success and status. In his will, Richard is noted as a “merchant at the Staple of Calais,” which was a major centre of English wool trade during that period.

Above the brass figures is an image of the Holy Trinity, a reflection of the Wenman family’s faith. The limestone sides of the tomb are decorated with intricate quatrefoils enclosed in lozenges, adding to its artistic detail. This tomb stands as a tribute to the Wenman family’s significant role in Witney’s wool trade, with Richard himself paying a large share of the town’s tax in 1524.

The Wenman Tomb is not only an artistic treasure but also a meaningful piece of Witney’s history, capturing the influence of the wool trade and the family’s lasting connection to St. Mary’s Church.