The tomb of Sir Edward Bayntun (1517-1593), in the Church of St Nicholas in Bromham, bears the arms of Bayntun, Roche, Beauchamp, Beauchamp (Saint Amand), de la Mare (Delamare) and Wanton, surmounted by a helmet, and above it, a griffin's head.

The Bayntun arms: Sable, a bend lozengy argent Sable (black) shield on which are positioned a bend (diagonal strip) of argent (silver) lozenges (diamond shapes longer in depth than in width). These shapes are said to represent the leaves of a bay.

BEAUCHAMP FAMILY
Beauchamp is an old English family name (pronounced Beecham) also found in many countries of Europe and introduced into England around the time of the Norman Conquest. This pedigree goes back to Hugh de Beauchamp (1040 - 1115) of Normandy – the founder of the Beauchamp families in Britain following the Battle of Hastings in 1066 at which William the Conqueror was the victor over the Saxon King Harold. There are two branches of the Beauchamp family in medieval England - the Beauchamps of Powick or Powyck and the Beauchamps of Warwick. The family related to the Bayntuns is that of Powick on the Welsh borders.

The Beauchamp arms: Gules, a fess between six cross-crosslets Gules (red), a fesse (wide horizontal band across the centre of the shield) between six cross-crosslets (Orthodox crosses).

Huge de Beauchamp had the above fesse on his arms and were born by subsequent descendants of the Beauchamp family of Elmley, Gloucestershire.

His second son, Walter de Beauchamp (c1073 - 1135) of Elmley Castle, Gloucestershire, England, was Sheriff of Worcestershire.

His son, William de Beauchamp (c1105 - 1170) of Elmley Castle, was a powerful Feudal Lord and was Sheriff of four counties – Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire.

His son, William de Beauchamp (1130 - c1211) lived at Elmley Castle.

His son Walter de Beauchamp (c1194 - 1235) of Elmley Castle was Governor of Elmley Castle.

His son, William de Beauchamp (c1215 - 1268) of Elmley Castle, was the 5th Baron Beauchamp and 8th Earl of Warwick, Lord of Elmley, Baron of Hanslope and Baron of Stanley.

His son, Sir Walter de Beauchamp (1243 - 1306) of Powick, was Steward of the Household of King Edward I and Constable of Gloucester Castle and lived at Beauchamp Court, Powick, Worcestershire. He purchased the Manor of Alcester in Warwick and made it one of his principal seats - calling it Beauchamp Court and he was known then as Baron of Alcester.

His son, Walter de Beauchamp, succeeded his father in 1306 and was Constable of England in 1327.

Upon his death, his brother Giles de Beauchamp (1283 - 1361), inherited by settlement of his elder brother, the Lordship of Alcester and the Manor House of Beauchamp Court, which he had fortified some years later.

His son, John de Beauchamp (1339 - 1389) also lived at Beauchamp Court.

His son, Sir Walter de Beauchamp (1365 - 1430) of Beauchamp Court, married Elizabeth Roche (1385 - 1447) the eldest daughter and heiress of Sir John Roche of Bromham, Wiltshire. Sir Walter was Sheriff of Wiltshire (1402 - 1403). This marriage had a subsequent bearing on the Bayntun family, as Elizabeth’s sister Joan Roche later married Nicholas Bayntun (1382 - 1422) and when Sir John Roche died in 1401 his property was divided between his two daughters. Elizabeth was aged just 16 at the time and she received the greater part of her father’s wealth and inherited the Manor of Roches, although her sister too was sufficiently well looked after.

ROCHE FAMILY
The surname Roche is of French origin – de la Roche (of the rock) – but has long and distinguished associations with Ireland. These arms are still to be seen, painted on the roof of the Bayntun Chapel in the Church of St. Nicholas, Bromham, Wiltshire and they are also sculptured on the outer walls of the chapel.

Above the tomb of Sir Edward Bayntun (1517-1593) is the medieval stained glass of the south east window and among the armorials is Roche impaling de la Mare to represent the marriage of Sir John Roche to Wilhelma de la Mare.

The Bromham, Wiltshire branch of the Roche family coat of arms: Azure, three roaches naint, in pale argent Azure (blue), three roaches (3 fish, said to be roche) naint (swimming horizontally) in pale argent (silver). The Roach is a symbol of nobility, while argent denotes peace and sincerity. The family motto is "Mon Dieu est ma roche" Translation: My God is my rock.

The Bromham Roches can be traced back to Sir John Roche (c1260) who was Lord of the Manor of Roches.

He was succeeded by his son Gilbert de la Roche.

His son was Sir John de la Roche (1340 - 1400). He was Ambassador to Aragon, Joint Warden of Savernake Forest, Constable of Marlborough Castle, Deputy Marshal of England, Captain of Brest, Knight of the Shire for Wiltshire and Sheriff of Wiltshire. He was married to Wilhelma, the daughter and heiress of Peter de la Mare of Steeple Lavington. When Sir John died on the 30th September 1400, the Manor or Bromham Roche was passed onto his 15 year old daughter, Elizabeth Roche.

DE LA MARE FAMILY
The Steeple Lavington branch of this family can be traced back to Peter de la Mare (d1254) of Steeple Lavington who was Lord of the Manor of Steeple Lavington. He was a rebel against King John, forfeiting his Lavington property, but regaining it again in 1217.

After his death the manor passed to his son Robert de la Mare (1214 - 1272).

His son was Peter de la Mare (c1248 - 1292).

His son was Robert de la Mare (c1274 - 1308).

His son was Sir Peter de la Mare (c1294 - c1349). He was married to Joan Achard of Aldermaston, Berkshire.

His son, Sir Robert de la Mare (c1314 - 1382) sat in seven Parliaments and was Knight of the Shire in 1376. He was married to Maud de Hastings.

The de la Mare coat of arms: Two lions passant, guardant, argent Two lions passant (sitting in a guard position), guardant (head facing sideways) argent (silver).

When Sir Robert de la Mare died in 1382, his son Peter was named his heir. After Peter's death c1396, his sister Wilhelma (c1335 - 1410), inherited his property. She was married to Sir John Roche of Bromham (see Roche family above), Wiltshire and the Manor of Lavington passed out of the de la Mare family through to the Roches.

When Wilhelma died on the 31st October 1410, her grandson, John Bayntun, received the greater majority of her wealth (see account above).

WANTON FAMILY
Catherine Wanton was the daughter and heir of Sir John Wanton and was married to Wilhelma de la Mare’s grandfather Robert. Wilhelma was his only heiress and after his death she inherited a considerable amount of de la Mare and Wanton property, which she continued to hold in her name while married to Sir John Roche.

The Wanton coat of arms: Argent, on a chevron sable, three eaglets displayed Argent (silver), on a chevron (an upturned "V" shaped band) sable (black) three eaglets displayed (three griffins in flight).

BEAUCHAMP SAINT AMAND FAMILY
The Saint Amand family can be traced back to Almeric Saint Amand who died in 1285.

His son John Saint Amand (1281-1330) - 1st Lord, was married to Joan Margaret Despencer, the daughter of Hugh Despencer, the Earl of Winchester, who is said to be a descendant of William the Conqueror.

He was succeeded by his son, Almeric Saint Amand (c1314-1381) - 2nd Lord.

His son was also called Almeric Saint Amand (c1341-1402) - 3rd Lord. He had two sons and a daughter.

When he died, his daughter Alianore Saint Amand (1371-1389) was his only living issue and was named his heiress. She was married to Sir Gerald Braybrooke.

Sir William de Beauchamp (1410 - 1457) was the son of Walter de Beauchamp and Elizabeth Roche. He was married Lady Elizabeth Braybrook, the daughter and CO-heiress of Sir Gerald Braybrook and his wife Alianore, the heiress of the above mentioned Almeric Saint Amand, whose title she held. Sir William Beauchamp therefore inherited the title Lord Saint Amand by right of his wife.

Their son, Sir Richard Beauchamp, Lord Saint Amand (1454 - 1508) was just three years old when he inherited the title but died without legitimate issue and his first cousin, thrice removed, Sir John Bayntun (1460 - 1516) was named his successor.

The Beauchamp arms on the ceiling of the Bayntun Chapel in the Church of St. Nicholas in Bromham is that of Sir Richard Beauchamp of Bromham and his wife, Elizabeth Braybrooke: Gules, fesse between six martlets Gules (red), fesse (wide horizontal band across the centre of the shield) six martlets (black birds).

Stanley Abbey had another heraldic shield depicting the coats of arms of Bayntun, Beauchamp, Roche, de la Mare and Wanton, but this Abbey is no longer standing.

Malmesbury was supposed to have had the Bayntun arms displayed along with its connection to the Stumpe family. However the Victorians carried out a lot of improvements in old churches, or just pulled down many heraldic emblems and today there is no trace of these at Malmesbury.

Lacock Abbey still has the coat of arms, including Roche, Hungerford, Beauchamp – but not Bayntun.