St.Andrews Church
The Effigy of Sir William Bowes - Knight
The Bishopric of Durham from 1314 was subject to continual raids by the Scots, requiring a Peel Tower to be built at Dalden for protection against the invading hordes. Maude, Lady of Dalden ( Towers ) inherited her fathers estate, when she was fourteen, in 1370, She married Sir William Bowes, Knight of Streatlam, near Barnard Castle, in 1375. He had fought with the Black Prince at the Battle of Poitiers, in 1356 and was created a Knight Banneret for his valour. The English archer's superiority at this time, with the hail of arrows from their longbows, broke the many French attacks who were routed, with their King taken captive. Sir William died in 1420, his coat of arms has three red longbows and his effigy in church is dressed as a Knight with his feet resting on a lion. Was this the first link with Bowes-Lyon? Knights who travelled abroad were usually remembered with lions at their feet, whilst dogs signified hunting associations.
When Lady Maude died in 1420, she left many interesting instructions in her will. She asked to be buried in the church at Dalton, and bequeathed six wax torches, at six pounds each, to the church and two quarters of wheat to the light of the Virgin in the church. To the vicar she left the sheets about her body and six "coverchiefs" to remind him of her to the end of his days and twelve pennies to every chaplain of Castle Barnard present at the celebration of her deathmass at Streatlam.
She also left several books, which were very precious in those days, to local ladies and to her goddaughter Lady Maude of Hylton. "One Romance boke is called the Gospels" Was this a copy of the New Testament Originally her effigy was laid to rest on the north corner of the Chancel, an indication of how important a person she was. In 1902 she was moved to the north wall of the nave where her condition continues to deteriorate.