Brasses

Brasses, engraved sepulchral tablets usually made of a fine kind of mixed metal called latten, and inlaid on slabs of stone, in a hollow called the matrix, made to receive them, either as part of the pavement of a church, or on altar tombs. Commonly they contain figures, sometimes crosses and decorative patterns, and sometimes inscriptions only. Occasionally parts of the engraved work are filled up with enamel. The oldest in England is that of Sir John d'Abernon, at Stoke d'Abernon in Surrey, dated 1277. One a little later in date exists near Cambridge. They are specially valuable as illustrations of mediaeval costume. Though England possesses the best and most numerous examples extant, they are usually of foreign, probably French and Flemish, workmanship.