From 1410 to 1430 St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map] was constructed. There are, however, significant differences in the arcading of the aisles suggesting that parts of the building are earlier, with an earlier church having been incorporated into the current building.

On 25 Nov 1410 Isabel de Lingen (age 40) was granted a Royal License to found a Collegiate Church at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map] by King Henry IV of England (age 43) at a cost of £40.

After 1446. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Fulk de Pembridge of Tong Castle and Isabel de Lingen (age 76). She the foundress of the church. Camail and Jupon Period. His head rests on a Great Helm with his crest of a Turkish Woman with plaited hair. At his feet a lion, at her feet a fawn albeit no longer with its head. She in widow's clothes with a barbe. Note the curious chain attached to the bottom of her dress.

After 1451. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon aka Pembridge (age 62) and Benedicta Ludlow. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar. Chest of sandstone with twenty-three niches containing, alternatively, twelve angels with shields, and eleven apostles. His head rests on the Vernon Horses Head Crest. She wearing Esses Collar and mitred Crespine Headress. Scabbard with IHS. Possibly the work of Sutton and Prentys.

Benedicta Ludlow: Shropshire Archaeological Society. And in addition, of our more abundant favour, we grant and give permission on our own behalf, and, as far as is in our power, on behalf of our heirs, to the aforesaid Isabel, Walter, and William Mosse, their heirs or assignees, that they themselves may give and grant the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College, when it has thus been effectually founded, to Richard de Penbrugge, son of Richard Vernon, of Harlestonich, the near relative [Note. Richard Vernon aka Pembridge was great-nephew of Fulk de Pembridge of Tong Castle and heir of the the aforesaid Fulk, and to Benedicta, wife of the same Richard son of Richard, and to the heirs of the body of Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta, to be held, after after the death of the aforesaid Isabel, in such a way that if the same Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Richard son of Richard; and if the same Richard son of Richard die without an heir of his body, then the advovson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with William Ludlow [Note. Son of William Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen] and Isabel his wife, sister of the aforesaid Richard, son of Richard, and the heirs of the body of the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife; and if the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Isabel, wife of William. Around 1391 she was born to John Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen at Hodnet, Shropshire. Before 1427 Richard Vernon aka Pembridge and she were married. In 1427 Benedicta Ludlow died at Tong, Shropshire.

After 1451. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. The Stanley Monument to, on top, Thomas Stanley and Margaret Vernon, below, their son Edward Stanley. The monument was originally beside the high altar.

The two epitaphs at each end of the monument are believed to have been written by William Shakespeare:

Ask who lyes heare but do not weep He is not dead he doth but sleep This stoney register is for his bones His fame is more perpetual than these stones And his own goodness with himself being gone Shall lyve when earthlie monument is none

Not monumental stone preserve our Fame Nor sky aspyring pyramids our name The memory of Him for whom this stands Shall outlive marble and defacers hands When all to tyme's consumption shall be geaven Standley for whom this stands shall be in Heaven

Thomas Stanley: he was born to Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby and Dorothy Howard Countess Derby. In or before 1563 Thomas Stanley and Margaret Vernon were married. He the son of Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby and Dorothy Howard Countess Derby. They were third cousin once removed. In 1576 Thomas Stanley died.

Margaret Vernon: In 1540 she was born to George Vernon "King of the Peak" and Margaret Tailboys. In 1610 Margaret Vernon died.

In 1510 Henry Vernon (age 65) commissioned the Golden Chapel to be constructed on the south side of St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. 'Golden' referred to the gilding of the fan-vaulted ceiling with three pendants. The memorial on the wall is to Arthur Vernon (age 28) Rector of Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Henry Vernon: Around 1445 he was born to William Vernon at Haddon Hall. Before 1451 Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot were married. She the daughter of John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. On 13 Apr 1515 Henry Vernon died at Haddon Hall. He was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

Arthur Vernon: In 1482 he was born to Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot. In 1517 Arthur Vernon died.

After 1515. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Henry Vernon (age 70) and Anne Talbot in a wide Burgundian arch between the south aisle and the Golden Chapel. Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow.

Anne Talbot: In 1445 she was born to John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Before 1450 Ralph Shirley and she were married. She the daughter of John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury and Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England. On 17 May 1494 Anne Talbot died at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. She was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

After 1517. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon (age 40) and Margaret Dymoke (age 17). Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow. The alabaster chest was once used as the altar. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar and Tudor Rose Pendant. Chest with Bedesmen. Note the swirling tail at his feet which may indicate the work of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

Richard Vernon: Around 1477 he was born to Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot. In or before 1508 Richard Vernon and Margaret Dymoke were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. In Aug 1517 Richard Vernon died. He was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

After 1600. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monuments to the Skeffington family.

In or after 1624. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Mrs Ann Wylde nee Harries who died in childbirth aged sixteen in 1624.

After 01 Jul 1657. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Elizabeth Harries aka Harris (deceased).

Elizabeth Harries aka Harris: Around 1597 she was born to Thomas Harries aka Harris 1st Baronet and Eleanor Gifford. On 08 Jun 1628 William Pierrepont of Thoresby and she were married at St Martin's Church, Ludgate. He the son of Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston and Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint. On 01 Jul 1657 she died. She was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

After 1780. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. The Durant Monument to George Durant of Tong Castle (age 46) and others. The monument has been attributed to John "The Elder" Bacon (age 39), Francis Leggatt Chantrey and Richard Westmacott (age 4).

George Durant of Tong Castle: Around 1734 he was born. Before 25 Apr 1776 he and Maria Beaufoy were married. On 04 Aug 1780 he died. He was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

After 1902. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. The East Window was designed by Kempe in 1902 copying from the 15th CEntury design of the West Window and the East Window at Haddon Hall [Map].

After 25 Jan 1951. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Memorial to Charles Arthur Mander 2nd Baronet (deceased) and Monica Claire Neame (age 62).

Charles Arthur Mander 2nd Baronet: On 25 Jun 1884 he was born to Charles Tertius Mander 1st Baronet. Before 25 Jan 1951 he and Monica Claire Neame were married. On 25 Jan 1951 he died.

Monica Claire Neame: On 12 Apr 1888 she was born to George Harding Neame. On 28 Feb 1964 she died.

Shropshire Archaeological Society. The King to all those who shall see, or hear of these our letters, greeting. Know ye that of our special favour, and for the sum of £40- paid into the Treasury of our Chancellor, we have granted and given permission on our own behalf, and, as far as is in our power, on behalf of our heirs, to Isabel, relict of Fulke de Pembrugge, Knight, to Walter Swan [Shaw], clerk, and to William Mosse, clerk, that they may have authority to acquire from our beloved in Christ, the Abbot and Convent of Shrewsbury, which is in our patronage, the patrons of the Church of St. Bartholomew the Apostle [Map], of Tong, in the County of Salop, and diocese of Lichfield, the advowson and patronage of this same Church of Tong, which is held from us in cabile; to be possessed and held for ever of us and our heirs by its due and accustomed services by the same Isabel, Walter, and William, their heirs and assignees; an annual pension of six shillings and eightpence accruing from the fruits and emoluments of this same Church of Tong, which the same Abbot and Convent and their predecessors have been wont to receive from it, being reserved to the same Abbot and Convent and their successors.