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Denny Monument - Waltham Abbey

Conservation of tomb and archeological discoveries

This early 17th century monument, standing on the north wall of this Romanesque Abbey was erected to Sir Edward Denny and to his wife Margaret. It is an elaborate canopied wall monument with their effigies lying on a chest tomb. Below is a decorated panel depicting their children. It is built predominantly of alabaster and had been repainted in Victorian times.

The base of the monument was suffering from the result of heave with evidence of salt crystallisation which was affecting the Reigate stone and was causing polychrome to become detached from the marble. This resulted from the use of concrete in a former restoration programme and by salts which had been drawn from outside into the rubble core following the installation of heating in the Abbey.

The female effigy, which had been bedded in plaster, was carefully removed and rusting iron cramps beneath were taken out. The base was dismantled revealing a rubble core. During this process evidence of a medieval piscina, shown by section of shafts still in situ, was discovered below the monument. Also several pieces of moulded and polychromed Reigate, forming part of the original arch over the piscina, were found within the core of the monument itself. Archeologists were called in to investigate.

In order to protect the monument and piscina a horizontal lead membrane was installed at floor level. By reassembling the core using thermalite blocks the circulation of air was ensured and no dowels were required as the new core was considerably stronger than the original. The female effigy was replaced and all joints made good using plaster of Paris. A final cleaning was carried out together with minor repairs, and touching up of vandalised polychrome on both figures was done using acrylic paints.

Architect: Donald Insall Associates
Client: Parochial Church Council