It happened thus: The old Church of St.Stephen, which was the parish church of Normanstand, had a peculiar interest for the Norman family.

There, either within the existing walls or those which had preceded them when the church was rebuilt by that Sir Stephen who was standard-bearer to Henry VI., were buried all the direct members of the line.

It was an unbroken record of the inheritors since the first Sir Stephen, who had his place in the Domesday Book.

Without, in the churchyard close to the church, were buried all such of the collaterals as had died within hail of Norcester.

Some there were of course who, having achieved distinction in various walks of life, were further honoured by a resting-place within the chancel.