This ticket is to view these talks online over Zoom. Please buy one ticket per device. The viewing link will be sent out at least 1 hour before the start time. To book a ticket to view this talk in person at The Barn, please clickhere [https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/winterbourne-medieval-barn-trust/2-talks-the-life-times-of-sir-thomas-de-bradeston-the-chantry-chapel-of-st-michael-breadstone/2025-09-25/19:00/t-qjdrdpv]. We are delighted to welcome local historians and archaeologists, Sally Gallia and Neil Baker to The Barn to share some fascinating insights into Sir Thomas de Bradeston, who was Lord of the Manor of Winterbourne from 1328 until his death in 1360 and had Winterbourne Medieval Barn built in 1342. Each talk will be around 45 minutes each, with time for questions. There will be a short break in-between the talks. Talk 1: Our Very Own Medieval Knight: The Life and Times of Sir Thomas de Bradeston Sir Thomas de Bradeston, 1st Lord Bradeston, was born in Breadstone in 1290 and rose to prominence in the courts of both Edward II and Edward III. So close did he become to Edward III, reports Smyth, that the King called him his beloved valet, the one who does not cease to stay by our side continuously. Knighted by Edward II, riches were poured upon him by Edward III, so much so that there is no reason to think that he was not responsible for the great East Window in Gloucester Cathedral which commemorates the knights who fought, as he himself did, at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Sir Thomas founded a chantry at Breadstone where his first wife, Isabel, was laid to rest. With the demise of Edward II and Sir Thomass meteoric rise to royal favour, he moved the family to Winterbourne. However, it is recorded that at the end of his long life, broken with arms and age as Smyth writes, he returned to Breadstone and died in 1360. For this reason, although one of the beautiful effigies in Winterbourne Church is probably his, it seems that he was probably buried in Breadstone. The chantry has long since disappeared without trace. The search continues. Talk 2: The Chantry Chapel of St Michael, Breadstone In 1344, that Thomas de Bradeston was granted a licence to appoint a warden of the chapel of St. Michael, Bradeston, & 2 other chaplains to celebrate divine service daily in the chapel for his good estate, for his soul after his death and for the souls of his late wife Isabella and his ancestors and heirs [Calendar of Patent Rolls 1344, EDW III, VOL 6 membrane 22, pp 240]. Neil will talk a little about the history of the chantry chapel up to the time it was dissolved, and the work being done by BLAG to rediscover it. About your speakers: Sally Gallia Sal developed a love of history and archaeology while living in Turkey for eighteen years. While there, she made a study of the Anglican cemeteries in Izmir and joined in Oxford Universitys Continuing Education Departments first online course ever. This propitiously resulted in an Advanced Diploma in Local History. Returning to the UK to live in Breadstone, Sal became acquainted with Sir Thomas de Bradeston and became intent on discovering more about him and the place where he grew up, especially the whereabouts of the chantry in which he seems likely to have been buried. When not imagining life in medieval Breadstone or pretending to be a historian, Sal returns to reality as a forensic odontologist using her knowledge and experience as a dentist with numerous post graduate qualifications including a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Neil Baker Neil is a Stroud based archaeologist, and product of Time Team. Inspired by the tv program, he did a night school O Level in archaeology, then an A Level, and then went back to the University of Bristol, graduating in 2009 with a first-class degree. Neil currently runs the Heavens Archaeological Research Project. This focuses on the landscape history and archaeology of 102 acres of land to the east of Stroud that has recently been purchased by and for the local community. He has also surveyed all the vessels at the Purton Ships' Graveyard which were deliberately beached beside the River Severn near Purton, Gloucestershire, England, to reinforce the riverbank. The primary purpose of this event is to raise money for WMBT and to support conservation, management, maintenance and improvement of the WMBT site. If you wish to avoid the online booking fee then please contact the office to arrange a time to come and book in person.