Thrale graves

Church of Corpus Christi, Tremeirchion, Wales

Witty, vivacious and charming. In an age of genius: she ever held a foremost place

— Sir James Fellowes on Hester Lynch Piozzi

This is the only Medieval Church in the British Isles dedicated to the Body and Blood of Christ, and it is therefore unique. There is evidence of an earlier dedication to the Holy Trinity and it is thought this change of dedication took place in the 16^th century. The present building nestles in a circular churchyard surrounded by ancient Yews which support the idea of an ancient foundation perhaps founded by a follower of St Beuno in the 6^th century. A Maltese Cross on the Bell Cote is another indication of this place as being a place of pilgrimage.

In the years after Gabriel Piozzi and Hester Lynch Thrale took up residence at Brynbella, they improved the scandalous state of Tremeirchion church - the family church of the Salusbury's. They replastered the walls, repaired the windows, pews and pulpit.

On 17 September 1803, Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

“A new vault has been constructed under the Altar at Dymerchion for his and my last cold Residence, & narrow Apartment—Poor dear old Lucy Salusbury my admirable Progenetrix & Mother to my Father [John Salusbury] Was found crumbling in Dust; her Skull only whole, & the Black Ribbon pinned round it, that I suppose bound her head in its last Agony (she died in 1745):—There was no Act [of Parliament] then extant for burying in Woollen.

My Father being wrapt in Lead was easily discerned from his Brothers, & dear Mama—as he called her to the Last—They had never found Money to make themselves a Vault, so their poor Bones have been gathered up now by Mr Piozzi, and placed decently in our new Repository, where ours will shortly accompany them no doubt: to the great Joy of all my Daughters who really have now waited my Death so long—They are justified in their Impatience. New Pulpit Cloths—new Reading Desk Bible & Surplices—& a new Brass Chandelier—in Lieu of a Wooden one—are among my present Master's [Gabriel Piozzi] Donations—beside Slating & Glazing & painting & Whitewashing: & what our Curate Mr Roberts prefers to all—Enlarging his little Church in the Gallery-Part—& we will put up the old curious Cross w^ch some fools pulled away 40 Years ago— & make all smart and handsome.”

Hester Lynch Piozzi (formerly Thrale) memorial tablet. Click on image to enlarge.

Hester Lynch Piozzi (formerly Thrale) has a memorial tablet erected inside the church that reads…

NEAR THIS PLACE ARE INTERRED THE REMAINS OF
HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI.

“ DOCTOR JOHNSON’S M^RS THRALE.”
BORN 1741. DIED 1821.

WITTY, VIVACIOUS AND CHARMING. IN AN AGE OF GENIUS:
SHE EVER HELD A FOREMOST PLACE.

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY ORLANDO BUTLER FELLOWES,
GRAND-SON OF SIR JAMES FELLOWES, THE INTIMATE FRIEND OF
M^RS PIOZZI AND HER EXECUTOR.
ASSISTED BY SUBSCRIPTIONS
28^TH APRIL 1909.

Outside the church Hester Lynch Piozzi (formerly Thrale) has a grave stone that reads…

HERE LYETH THE BODY
OF HESTER SALVSBURY OF
BACHEGRAIG WHO DIED ON
THE 24 OF SEPTEMBER
AND WAS INTERRERED FEB
27 IN THE YEAR OF OUR
LORD GOD 1696

HERE ALSO ARE INTERRED
THE MORTAL REMAINS OF
SIR JOHN SALUSBURY PIOZZI SALUSBURY
LATE OF BRYNBELLA IN THIS PARISH
KNIGHT
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT CHELTENHAM
IN THE COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER
THE 18^TH DECEMBER 1858
IN THE 66^TH YEAR OF HIS AGE

I do not know which Hester Salusbury this is. hester Lynch Salusbury (Sir John Salusbury Piozzi Salusbury's mother) died on 2 May 1821 and her mother died on 18 June 1773.