In 1641, Lady Frances Kniveton – second wife of Sir Gilbert Kniveton, and daughter of Sir Robert Dudley – gave this church a silver gilt chalice, paten and flagon of exceptional quality. The inscription on the underside reads: “The gift of Lady Frances Knifton to Knifton Church.”
Rev. Heather, who examined the plate carefully in the 1880s, was unstinting in his admiration describing the chalice as so elegant in its design that it could serve as a model for modern church furnishers. Lady Frances made similar gifts to churches at Bradley, Osmaston, Mugginton, Kirk Langley and Ashbourne, though the Ashbourne set has since disappeared.
These objects would have been used regularly in worship and still provide a direct connection to the generations of people who attended services here centuries ago. They are also among the most personal reminders of the Kniveton family’s long relationship with the church.
