Virtual Tour of St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray - Pages 3-4

This was the work of Sir Reginald (Reynold) Bray, who fought with Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth, which ended the Wars of the Roses in 1485.

It is alleged that Bray found the abandoned crown of Richard III on the battle-field, and placed it on the head of the new king. In any case, he was well rewarded for his services, being granted the confiscated manor of Eaton, being admitted to the Order of the Garter, and becoming one of Henry VII’s principal ministers.

Bray is closely associated with the Royal Chapel of St George at Windsor, and is buried in the south transept of that building, the completion of which was made possible by his substantial legacy for that purpose in 1503.

He was himself skilled in architecture, and his name is associated also with Henry VII’s Chapel at Westminster Abbey. Although his work on his local church is very simple, it is finely and carefully detailed and executed.