Halsham - Mausoleum

Like Hedon the village of Halsham is located in the area known as Holderness. I found this round mausoleum to the Constable family nearby. William Constable, of Burton Constable died in 1791. A condition of his will was that his heir should rebuild the ‘family vault’, then found at nearby Halsham church. The new building was to be more than just a repository for the remains of generations of Constables, it was also intended as a bold statement of the importance of the ancient family, and an ornament to the estate.

A member of that family was Sir John Constable of Kirkby Knowle, who in 1584 left 80 shillings per year from his estate to be paid out in perpetuity. 20 shillings for the education of eight poor children with a further 24 shillings for their satchels and books, 32 shillings for eight poor men, and 4 shillings for two poor women. He as well provided for a hospital for the use of the poor men and women of the parish.