Location
West Dean College: Sussex (near Chichester)
The 2025 Church Monuments Society symposium, entitled Tombs of the Aristocracy, will be held at West Dean College from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st August 2025. There are residential and non-residential places available, and a limited number of special rates available to students and the under-30s.
Our theme, ‘Tombs of the Aristocracy’, is inspired by the magnificent tombs of the Fitzalans and Howards (Earls and Dukes of Norfolk) in Arundel and Chichester but covers so much more. The event will include expert lectures and two excursions, one to Chichester Cathedral and another to the Fitzalan Chapel at Arundel Castle.
Lecturers include Tobias Capwell, Dirk Breiding, Roger Bowdler, Brian and Moira Gittos, Pat Poppy, David Carrington, Keith Down, Sophia Dumoulin, and Adam White on topics ranging from aristocratic monuments in the grandest cathedrals to the humble churchyard, and aspects ranging from decorative schemes to the depiction of costume and arms and armour.
Guided tours will be given on the excursions.
See the Society’s website for details about the programme, costs, and booking deadlines: https://churchmonumentssociety.org/events/symposium-2025-tombs-of-the-aristocracy