File:The church of St Lawrence - tomb slab detail - geograph.org.uk - 738957.jpg

English: St Lawrence's Church, Beeston St Lawrence Norfolk, detail from ledger stone in chancel showing arms of Sir Isaac Preston (1640-1708) who married secondly Elizabeth Browne, eldest daughter of Riches Browne of Fulmodeston in Norfolk, and relict of William Woorts (d.1694) of Trunch in Norfolk (see ledger stone of William Woorts in Trunch Church[1], showing arms of Woorts impaling Browne).

Arms: Ermine, on a chief sable three crescents or (Preston) (Burke, Sir Bernard, The General Armory, London, 1884, p.823) impaling Gules, two barrulets between three spearheads argent (Browne of Fulmodeston, Norfolk ?) (not listed in Burke, 1884; a ledger stone in Fulmodeston Church in Norfolk is described by Blomefield (1807): In memory of John Brown, Gent: son of Riches Brown, Esq. of Fulmodeston, who died 1693. Arms, a fess, &c. between 3 spears heads (Francis Blomefield, 'Gallow and Brothercross Hundreds: Fulmodeston', in An Essay Towards A Topographical History of the County of Norfolk: Volume 7 (London, 1807), pp. 88-91 [2]; see same arms on ledger stone of William Woorts in Trunch Church[3], showing arms of Woorts impaling Browne).

Sir Isaac Preston (1640-1708) married firstly Elizabeth Cock (1650-1687), daughter and heiress of Charles George Cock of Norwich, a Judge of the Admiralty, by his wife Anne Bond, daughter and heiress of Richard Bond. By Elizabeth Cock he had issue including:

• • Jacob Preston (1672-1753) of Beeston St Lawrence who married Elizabeth Perry (1692-1771), a daughter of Timothy Perry, a merchant in the City of London.

General remarks

The church of St Lawrence is situated beside the busy A151 Norwich to Stalham road. The round tower has distinctive carstone detailing and dates to the 12th century. The nave is 14th century > 738948 - 738961 but the church was greatly restored in the 18th century, when the Preston family of Beeston Hall > 738973 took it upon themselves to turn the church into their mausoleum. During this time the interior received its ceiling with Gothick panelling, which imitates that in the entrance of Beeston Hall. The church contains many wall monuments to members of the Preston family > 738949 - 738951; the tomb chest is to Jacob Preston (d. 1683), father of Sir Isaac Preston (1640-1708)> 738952. After having been closed to the public due to re-roofing and interior restoration work the church is now again open every day. For more information see: http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/beestonstlawrence/beestonstlawrence.htm