IKM^ II Ml I— »^ w'^^^^i^^M^WVq ^PPepPWPVII9PflPi'» 8 3> h LIB !8 16 5 CIL _, J , b Wit- THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES /S jHemortal xamt in ertfortishfre iiitcl)e0. BY WILLIAM FEAMPTON AKDEEWS, HERTFORD. r W F Andrews, thrice Mavor of Hertford, \ has just died, aged 77, years, was known as an . / ijBologist. He was a large owner of property |\f,oV ' FIertiordi?hire, and with his brother presented a icum to the county town. 11^1^ PUBLISHED BY STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS. 1886. BEASS IN ^^HEATHAMPSTEAD CHTJECH. DiRECTnr VNDERNEATH THIS PLACE LYETH BVRIED lOHN HeYWORTH of MaCKEYRE end ESQVIERfe MEMORIAL BRASSES ,w HERTFORDSHIRE CHURCHES, BY WILLIAM F. ANDREWS, Hertford. Hertfordshire contains 140 churches, and in nearly 90 of them are to be found various brasses of more or less interest to the antiquarian, and any one who has time at his disposal will find that a study of these memorials of bygone times will bring to light many curious and interesting features. I have a collection of rubbings of these brasses which was commenced in the year 1846, and I have added thereto several within the last few years, and have increased the number as opportunities occurred, and I have succeeded in making my collection now complete for the whole county. The brasses are mostly mentioned in the County Histories of Chauncy and Cussans, from which books I have derived much in- formation, as well as from Boutell's and Haines' works on "Monumental Brasses" and other sources. I find that many persons have no idea what " brasses" are, and are quite ignorant that at their feet in our churches are to be seen effigies of those who flourished in their district from 200 to 500 years ago. In some instances perhaps only a short inscription tells us all we can know of the individual whose name is inscribed on the plate ; sometimes the figure only of a man with inscrip- tion ; and sometimes he is accompanied by that of his wife, and occasionally two wives; and in many instances the whole of the family, comprising man, woman, and children, are pourtrayed, and often also accompanied by shields showing the quarterings of the families from which the man and wife have descended. These brasses are of various sizes ; at St. Albans Abbey is a very large one to the memory of -Abbot Delamere larger than life size, and we find them full size, half size, and sometimes very small, but none the less interesting in their details. It requires perseverance when hunting for brasses in our churches, and it is very easy to overlook some of them, as sometimes they are lying on the original slabs securely fixed, and often are placed for security against the walls and in vestries after getting loose from the floors or from having been removed in course of altera- tions or repairs to the church. In one instance the whole of the brasses belonging to a village church were found in a box in the tower when tiie church was rebuilt, and are now fastened to the walls of the building. At anfjther village tlie church was lately restored, and the brasses therein were removed from their stones and are now at the rectory, to be replaced at a future time. At Sawhridgeworth several have been buried in consequence of the floors of the church having been raised and removed. At St. Andrew's, Hertford, an inscription was dug up in course of excavating which was visible in 1700. In one village I enquired of the church clerk, who is a tradesman of respectability and intelligence, if there were any brasses in the church, and he answered " No ; " and on my expressing an opinion that I thought there were some, he rather indignantly asked me if I doubted his word, when of course 1 told him that he ought to know, being an official. However, I obtained the keys, and on searching I found two shields and one inscription and the indents of another and took rubbings of them and returned to the clerk and showed them to him and he was astonished, as he said he had never seen them, and he also told me he did not know where the missing plate was as it had been removed when the organ was put up, and I went to the village carpenter and found it in his workshop, and he said he should be glad to get rid of it, and I advised him to return it to the church, which he did a short time afterwards. At another village the pew opener said there were "no brasses there," but on further inspection on removing the matting, where there was " plenty of dust," we found a capital brass of a man and family and inscription, etc. In all probability many brasses are hidden by pews as they are often discovered when churches are reseated, and at times when repairs are going on the brasses are apt to be knocked about, and often get removed from their stones and occasionally are lost, and bricklayers' labourers are not the most careful individuals, and in nearly every church can be seen indents in the stones from which the brasses have been removed, and only the outlines now remain to show where, in some cases, there originally existed curious and splendid specimens. Some brasses are very much worn and disfigured and partly defaced in consequence of their having been laid where they were being continually walked upon, and it requires great care and a certain amount of perseverance to decipher some of the inscriptions, as in the early ones the words have been contracted very much, and abbreviations of many descriptions are very general, and it is very easy to make mistakes in translating those in Latin or early English, and occasionally a word is thought to mean something totally difTercnt from what it really does, on account of its peculiarity of construction, and it is quite necessary ( ) to be very careful when taking rubbings, so that all marks and coiitractious are correctly copied, as an omission of a stroke may alter the sense of the in- scription. We hear sometimes of brasses being restored, and we have an instance at Watton in the large one of Sir John lie Paletoot, which, in 1846, had lost the legs from the knees downwards and part of the canopy, but when the church was repaired about 1850, the legs and canopy were made complete and an inscription added, and it isdithcult now to discern any difference between the old and new parts. The effigies engraved upon the brasses vary much in shape, style of dress, and position. We find priests in full canonicals as they were dressed when they officiated at their services, sometimes surrounded by a canopy decorated with emblematic figures, sometimes holding in the hands a chalice to denote their calling. The fine Delamere brass at St. Albans Abbey has a large figure of the Abbot with his pastoral staff, and dressed in priestly vestments, which are very elaborate, and surrounded by figures of apostles, martyrs, and others. We also have knights in armour, in full fighting costume, with their helmets at their luads, and also merchants in robes, and civilians in their various style of attire betokening the age in which they lived, moved, and had their being, sometimes a man only, and sometimes hand in hand with his wife, and at Standon we see a man and his son and family ; occasionally the figures are kneeling, and often we find effigies of women encased in shrouds tied at the head and feet ; and many figures have at their feet the images uf dogs, hedgehogs, and other animals. Slany of the brasses have inscriptions fixed in the stones with them denoting and describing the in- dividuals whose memories they are intended to per- petuate, although a great many are missing from their positions, and only indents in the stones show whence they have been removed. These inscriptions are very various and often very laudatory of the virtues of the deceased, which seem particularly out of place to readers of the nineteenth century. Some of the old inscriptions are written in Xorman French, and some in Latin, and the words are characterised by many abbreviations which puzzle the unlearned. Some commence with " Ici Gist," and progress with time to " Hie Jacet," and ''Here lyeth" to "Here lieth ; " some have " Orate pro Anima " or "Animabus," as the case may be, the defunct evidently wishing that posterity would do for them what they had perhaps neglected to do for themselves, and some inscriptions wind up with an ex- pression somewhat similar to that which a judge makes use of when he has sentenced a criminal to death, such as the Latin for " on whose soul may God have mercy.'' etc., but we occasiomilly find that this last phrase has been cut from the plate and sometimes only partly removed and chased through, so as to coincide with the views held at the time of the Reformation. Sometimes the date of the death is found to be omitted, especially where the wife died before her husband, in which case the man's would be inserted first and his wife's follow with the date of her death, leaving his to be filled in when his time came, but very often this was neglected. These inscriptions are useful to the compilers of county histories or pedigrees, as they show the notabilities of the neighbourhood at the various periods, some of whose names are still in existence in the district, although often altered and corrupted. In many brasses between the figures is seen a' scroll with a sentence upon it, as if issuing from the mouth, and those of ecclesiastics are sometimes accompanied by a " bleeding heart." The oldest brass of which we have record in this county is one at Much Hadhara, a d. 1280, now lost, to the memory of Simon Flambard, a rector of that place. The oldest existing are at Great Berkhamsted, of Richard and Margaret Torrington, a.d. 1349, 1356. The earliest extant brass is found at Nerden, North Germany, dated 1231. In Gloucester Cathedral is a fine brass to the memory of Rev. Herbert Haines, who died in 1873, and who was the compiler of a work on brasses, which is very valuable to the antiquarian as a book of reference. One of the interesting features of brasses is that some of them are palimpsests, that is, they have been used twice ; and when a brass is found loose it should have the pitch, &c. removed from the back and thoroughly examined. Those at Bayford have the reverses chased, and on one is part of a shrouded figure of a much earlier date ; at St. Albans Abbey the back of a portion of one is engraved with a figure with an animal at the feet; while at Walkern a small plate with an inscrip- tion on the one side dated a.d. 1581, has on the reverse part of an inscription with the date a.d. 1370, and the name of the man to whose memory it was originally placed on his tomb in a church in London, and several others there are engraved on both sides. It seems to have been a common practice in former times to utilise the then existing brasses. The head dresses of some female figures are also very fine, and the different modes of wearing the hair, both in males and females, are curious, and denote the fashion of the time ; also the wearing of ornaments, rosettes, wimples, kerchiefs, and other articles. In some places crosses only were fixed in the stones, sometimes simply plain and some floriated, of large size, but; most of them have dis- appeared and have gone tlie way of old metal, and the matrices now only remain to show their former position. In Dr. Brewer's "Phrase and Fable," p. 691, it is stated under the heiid of " Monumental Effigies " : — " In the age of chivalry the woman in monumental brasses and effigies is placed on the man's right hand, but when chivalry declined she was placed on his left hand side. Figures with their hands on their breasts with chalices represent priests, and those with crozier, mitre, and pontificals, are prelates. Figures with armour represent knights ; female figures with mantle and large rings represent nuns. Brasses are for the most part subsequent to the thirteenth century. Capital letters and Latin inscriptions are of the first twelve centuries ; Lombardic capitals and French in- scriptions are of the thirteenth century ; German text insciiptions are of the fourteenth century ; English and ( ) Eoman print inscriptions subsequent to the fourteenth century. Tablets against the wall came in with the Reformation." There are many interesting peculiarities relating to brasses which a collector of rubbings cannot fail to notice. The position of the male figure should be on the left side of the female, but at Great Berkhamsted the figures are reversed, and also at Digswell, and at Letch' worth, St. Albans Abbey, Furneaux Felhara, and Ickle- ford. At Great Berkhamsted and Stanstead Abbotts we have examples of the man holding his wife's hand, although at the former place part of the arm is lost, yet the hands are in each other's, and at the British Museum, where can be seen a collection of rubbings in the Print Room which were taken in 1782, and were bequeathed by Mr. Douce, this fine brass is perfect. At Staudon we find brasses of a man and his son, and (I think this is the only instance in the county) each have children. There are several brasses to men with one wife. and at Aldenham, Rickmansworth, Great Hadham, Abbott's Langley, King's Langley, Newuham, Eadwell, Offiey, Ware, Sawbridgeworth, Barkway, and Brent Pelham, we find them with two wives ; while at Hitchin, Offley, and Aldenham can be seen effigies of three wives, and it is noticed that there is a similarity of features among the plurality of wives betokening that the Deceased Wife's Sister's Bill may have been in opera- tion in those days. In Salmon's History of Herts are mentioned brasses to a man and four wives at Standon, but they are not now to be seen. At Brent Pelham the two wives are without a husband, and at Aldenham the husband is lost and the two wives remain. Children are found in abundance : the efligies of boys are placed under the man, and the girls at the foot of the woman, and mostly ranged step by step. At Aldenham one lady has a solitary daughter, and another family consists of twelve children ; and at Wormley we find eleven and twelve children respectively, and many other places have as many and more, while at Ware a man's two wives each has five sons and five daughters. When children die before their parents they are shown on the brass as lying down, as found at St. Peter's, St. Albans. At Essendon the father, mother, and children are kneeling with a table in front and books thereon, and at Wyddial a lady is holding an open book inscribed with a text. At Rickmansworth a man holds a book and a staff. A woman kneeling at Cheshunt. Man, wife and children all kneeling at Aspenden, IppoUitls, Furneaux Pelham, Redbourne and Harpenden. Some of the figures have been surrounded by a canopy, but they have mostly got sadly mutilated. At St. Albans Abbey the Abbot Delamere has a very fine one. At Royston is a single one, and also at Flanistcad, while portions of double canopies are at Watton, North Minims, Great Berk- hamsted, Furneaux ]'elham ; and of triple ones at Cbeshunt and St. Albans Abbey, Inscriptions are often found unfinished, as at St. Albans Abbey the Delamere brass was evidently designed by the Abbot Delamere, and it was engraved during his lifetime and fixed in all probability t) the stone, and a portion of the inscription only was placed on it, leaving the remainder of the sentence to be added after his decease, which was not done. Where a wife died before her husband it is found that a brass was engraved and fixed with the efligies of the man, his wife, and perhaps some children, and an inscription to the memory of the man and his wife, with the date of the wife's death, and a small space left for the date of the man's decease to be inserted, which has often been neglected to be done, as at Broxbourne, Buckland (wife), Hitchin (wife), Kelshall (both man and wife), Aspenden (wife). Ware, Standon, Stevenage, Watford, Shephall. Many inscriptions are missing, and many more are mutilated. At Broxbourne two small mottoes alone remain belonging to a fine brass which is engraved in Haines' book, and was in existence in 1840. Three servants are engraved on one brass at Watford, one brass is used for a man, wife, and children at Essendon, Stanstead and Watford, and man and two wives at Rickmansworth, but generally each figure is on a separate brass. At Albury is engraved a death's head above the figure of a man, and at Hunsdon on a death's sign brass is a figure of a skeleton striking a man with a dart. At Aldenham and King's Langley we read the date of the burial of a man, and at Great Berkhamsted we are informed of the cause of a person's death in an inscription, and at Hunsdon we meet with the same circumstance. Inscriptions to the memory of the deceased do not show that more than one christian name was in use for either men or women, and these are very similar, and at Baldock a modern inscription has been fixed to the memory of a man, on a stone on which is the upper portion of the figure of a woman. The arms of the city of London are shown on a brass at Hadham (Great), and the Royal Arms at Sawbridgeworth and Standon. Some of the figures on the brasses are shown wrapped in shrouds or winding-sheets. At Hitchin are several of these, and also at Aldenham, Digswell, Baldock, Sawbridgeworth, Hunsdon and Great Berkhamsted. Animals are engraved at the feet of many of the effigies. At Digswell is a pelican, at Sandon, a bull (which is also on the coat of arms of the man repre- sented) ; at Digswell also, a hedgehog ; at Hitchin, a hawk; at North Minims, a stag ; at Digswell, a leopard ; at Hemel Hempstead, a wolf; at Watton, a lion and a dog ; dogs also at Sawbridgeworth, Albury, Little Hadham, St. Albans Abbey, St. Michael's and St. Stephen's, St. Albans, Broxbourne (missing), Baldock (missing). Great Berkhamsted, Kimpton, Sandon, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Hemel Hempstead, and Fnrneaux Pelham. Swans are found engraved on the collar at Digswell, and at Broxbourne are " suns," also at St. Albans Abbey ; and roses at Aston. Scrolls with inscriptions or labels issuing from the mouth, generally of priests, are at St. Albans Abbey, Broxbourne, Ilinxworth, Digswell, Buckland (lost), Clothall, Hunsdon, and Aspeden. At Letchworth were three scrolls, only two now remain. At Walkern was a scroll with a hand, now lost. At Flamstead a circular scroll from the mouth of a priest and from the mouths of children, all ) lost, also at Furneaus Pelham. Hearts are found at Sawbridgeworth, St. Albans Abbey, Letcbworth, Hitcbiu, Willian, and Stocking I'elbam. Crosses are not very numerous. At Royston is a plain one without inscription, and many other places have stones with matrices, showing that they formerly possessed them. At St. Michael's, St. Albans, is a suiall figure of a man in a portion of the head of a cross. The figures of saints and evangelists are engraved on the large Delamere brass at St. Albans Abbey, and at North Mimms and Knebworth. At Digswell and Broxbourne are shown the emblems of the evangelists, and tlie lamb and cross at St. Albans Abbey. The Holy Trinity at Clothall, ^Yormleybu^y, and Flamstead (lost). Mer- chants are designated by the trade mark showing they belonged to the Staple of Calais, at Standon, Hitchin, Digswell, and St. Albans Abbey (2), and other trade marks at Great Hadhara (Mercers), Standon (Merchant Tailors) and Hinxworth. A huntsman at Hunsdon and Baldock. A sergeant of stagUounds is mentioned at Shephall. Many brasses and inscriptions are lost which a few years ago were in existence, as at Broxbourne, Great Berkhamsted, Walkern, Eastwick, Aldenham, Wormley, Layston, and Ayott St. Lawrence. More care is now taken of them than formerly, and when they are found loose, on a church being repaired, it is usual to fix them on a wall, as seen at Wyddial, Essendon, Bayford, East- wick, Watford, Baldock, Bennington. Walkern, Amwell, Great Berkhamsted, Hatfield, and Clothall. At Saw- bridgeworth some brasses have been buried with the stones to which they are fixed, and at St. Andrew's, Hertford, an inscription was found buried, and is now fixed in the floor of the centre aisle. At St. Peter's, St. Albans, and at Royston, seme are found in a cup- board in the vestr}'. Those at Flamstead were once buried, and disinterred about thirty years ago. Bene- factors to churches or founders of them have brasses at Great Berkhamsted, Cheshunt, Barley, Aspeden, and Furneaux Pelham. Palimpsests are found at Walkern, Bayford, St. Albans Abbey, Great Berkhamsted, King's Langley, and St. Peter's, St. Albans. At St. Albans Abbey a knight in armour is shown with his helmet at his head, and also at St. Michael's, St. Albans, Little Hadham, Xorth Mimms, Sandon, and Aldbury. At Redbourn the helmet is on the floor, near a man kneel- ing. At Bayford a shield has a " tun " upon it for " Knighton " ; at Tewin a shield with three " picks " for " Pigott " ; at St. Michael's, St. Albans, a shield with a '' peacock " for " Pekok " ; at Redbourn also ; at Wormley a shield with a "cock" for "Cok"; at Hitchin a shield with two " hearts " for " Hert," and a shield with a "hawk" for " Sparrowhawk " ; at Watton a shield with a "tun" for "Acton." Brasses to servants are at Watford, All Saints, Hert- fiird, Aston, North Mimms (missing), and Standon, Rosaries are seen at Buckland, Standon, Wormley, Hinxworth, and Radwell. A brass to a child formerly was at North Mimms. Brasses are found at Hitchin, Ofliey, &c., which were engraved by the same artist^ as can be seen from the similarity of the figures on them. The age of the deceased is not often mentioned, but can be fouud at Hitchin, Hunsdon, Cheshunt, Aston, Bennington, North Mimms, St. Peter's, St. Albans (lost), Ardcley, Walkern, Essendon, Tewin, Albury, Abbotts Langley, Bishop Stortford, Baldock, Great Hadham, Hatfield, Watford, Ashwell, Newnhara, Brent Pelham, Bovingdon, Radwell, IppoUitts, Wyddial, and Barley. No deformities are pourtrayed on the brasses, and a man and his wife, or wives, are nearly always of the same height. A difference exists at St. Michael's, St. Albans. Gypcieres are worn on figures at Aspenden, Baldock, Kelshall, Buckland, Standon, Aldbury, Great Gaddesden, Radwell, and Hinxworth. Figures have been repaired or restored at Watton and Rickmansworth. Quaintness and peculiarity of expression are at Wormley, " Passed to God," &c. ; Bennington, " Chaunged his lilfe " ; Hertford (All Saints), " Trespassa," &c., "Icy gyst," &c., "Hie jacet," &c. ; Aldenham, " Departed and gone " ; Buck- land, " Resteth the body of" ; Great Hadham, ditto: Kelshall, " Her lyeth the bones of" ; Kings Langley, "Here lyeth interred the corps of" ; Walkern, " Vermibus esca datur " (given as food for worms) ; Sawbridgewortli, ditto ; Walkern, " Exchanged this life for immortality," "Here rests," "Here lyeth buried, &c. ; Standon, " Sepulti in gratia et misericordia Dei" &c. ; Watford, " Gave hissoule to God " ; Barley, "Yielded up her spirit" ; Wyddial, "Made a most godly end," " Departed this world " ; Hatfield, " Fynnished the course of this mortall lyfe." On brasses with effigies of the children of the deceased the boys are generally dressed alike, and the girls also wear similar costumes to each other, but a difference is shown at St. Peters, St. Albans, Offley, and Newnham. The method of taking rubbings of brasses is very simple. The " Douce " collection in the British Museum seems to have been made by squeezing damp paper into the lines of the brass, and thus taking an inipression, and when dry tlie lines were blackened with ink ; the rubbings are perfect and accurate, but they show white paper with black lines only, whereas the usual method of the present day is to lay a sheet of white paper on the brass and rub it with heelball, or pouchball, which gives a black impression with white lines. Another collection in the British Museum has been done on common wall papers, the patterns of which are to be seen on the backs. The Society of Antiquaries also possesses a large number of rubbings. The names of the man's parents are mentioned at St. Peter's, St., Albans. Brasses to children of both of a man's wives are seen at Ware, Kings Langley, and Offley, and to one wife only at Newnham. Baptism is mentioned at Aldenham. Names of children are given at Sandon, Barkway, Albury (1), Hertingfordbury (1), Knebworth, St. Peter's, St. Albans, Ware (1), Watford,^ Newnham, Bennington, Berkhamsted, and Digswell. At Clothall is an inscription to a lady who had six sons and ten daughters, and the same is mentioned in the inscription other husband, who married again and was buried in Walkern Church 18 years' afterwards. The ( ) trade of the man is mentioned at Albury, Hitchin, St. Albans Abbey (2), St. Peter's, St. Albans, Walkern, Hunsdon, Aldbury, Ash well, and Ippollitts. The day of the week upon which the deceased person died is noticed at Hatfield (2), and the place of death is mentioned at Braughing. The uncertainty of the time of death is found at Hitchin. The term of duration of married life is seen at Hertingfordbury and Essendon. At Braughing a man is described as a " batchelor," at "Wheathampstead, Shephall, and Radwell, a "gentle- man," and at Wormley a " yeoman." Similarity of dresses between man and wife are found at Hitchin and Wheathampstead. The name of the sovereign reigning at the time of decease is mentioned at Hitchin, Braughing, Aspeden, Wyddial, Harpenden, Eastwick, Standon, Essendon, Aston, Clothall, All Saints, Hertford, and Wheathampstead. Two children belonging to a family are found having the same Christian name at St. Peter's, St. Albans, Sandon, and Newnham. Eings worn on the fingers are found at Wheathamp- stead, St. AUians Abbey, and Furneaux Pelham Figures wearing armour are seen at Albury, Bayford, Aspeden, Broxbourne, Great Berkhamsted, Digswell, Little Hadham, Knebworth, St. Albans Abbey, St. Michael's and St. Stephen's, St. Albans, Sandon, Saw- bridgeworth, Standon, XorthMimms,Watton,Redbourn, "W^heathampstead, Aldbury,Herael Hempstead, and Fur- neaux Pelham. A separate inscription is found at Shep- hall to the wife of a man, her name being also mentioned in the inscription of the husband. Children wearing swords are at Wormley. Brasses to ecclesiastics are at Amwell, Ardeley, Broxbourne, Buckland, Cheshunt, Clothall, Little Hadham, Great Hadham, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letch worth, North Mimms, Eoyston, St. Albans Abbey, Stevenage, Watton. Flamstead, Wormley (lost), Eadwell, Hinxworth, Willian, and Barley. Heraldic dresses are found at Aldbury, Aspeden, Furneaux Pelham, and Sawbridgeworth. Brasses to a man and wife and their son (a priest) at Radwell and Hinxworth. Inscriptions in Norman-French are at Clieshunt, Hertford (All Saints), Hertingfordbury, North Mimms, Great Hadham, Watton, and Hemel Hempstead. The position of the grave wherein the deceased is buried is mentioned at Ippollitts. A brass to a widow is seen at Watford and Furneaux Pelham. Brasses fixed during the lifetime of the person are at St. Albans Abbey, Stevenage, and Kelshall. The date of the year is omitted in inscriptions at Ickleford and Berkhamsted. Brasses to a lady and her husband and a friend of the same name as her husband (perhaps his father) were formerly on one stone at Watton, and to two wives without a husbaud at Brent Pelham. Half- length figures are at Ickleford, Great Hadham, Letch- worth, and Wyddial. ABBOTT'S LANGLEY. On floor of chancel aisle. I.— Two women, inscription under, three boys and three girls. " Here lieth Eauffe Horwode Elissabeth and Joone his wyff the which Eauffe Discessid the xxv day of September the yere of our Lorde Gode A Thowsand cccclxxxxviij on " The figures of the two ladies are small, and they both wear kerchiefs hanging over their shoulders, and gauntlets. Haines mentions the husband's brass as existing in 1861, but it was gone in 1882. On floor of nave. II.— Man and two wives and inscription. '* Here lieth the bodie of Thomas Cogdell of this parrishe yeoman who had 2 wives viz Jane & Alice. Hee deceased ye 12 dale of February Ano Dni 1607 beinge of ye age of 83 yeares who lyeth here in peace in the state of corruption untill Jesus Christ shall come to restore y^ same in the glorious libertie of all his Saints to immortalitie and life everlastinge." The man is bareheaded, and has a beard, and wears a long garment ; the two wives wear hats, and are exactly alike in features and dress. Cussans gives an illustration of one of them as an example of the dress of a wife of a yeoman in good circumstances in the early part of the reign of James I. III. — Haines gives " No. III., a lady about 1570. but the brasses of the husband, three sons, and in- scription lost." None of these are to be seen. IV. — Haines also gives No. IV., an inscription, which is noticed by Chauncy and Clutterbuck, but is now missing, and an indent of a man in armour only remains. "Here lieth Eobert Nevyll and Elj^n his wyff, the which Robert deccessed the 28th of Aprill, the yeare of oure Lord God 1475. This world is but a vanitye ; to-day a man, to-morrow none." Eobert Nevill was connected with the Manor of Micklefield Hall, Eickmansworth, in 1475. ALBUEY. On south ivalL I.— Brass of a man and bis wife, with inscription over " Vna fides fajdvsqu vnvra conivnxit vtrosq Mors vno tvmlo ivngit et una dvos Sic qvos ivnxit amor, mors non seivngit at vno Ecce iacent tvmvlo qui iacvere toro Synceraj fidei fvit alter, et altera testis Charvs vterq: viris gratvs vterq: deo." One son and five daughters under, and inscription. " In obitvm viri clariss: Tho: Leventhorpi de Aldebury armigeri bis vicom: com: Hertf: Defvncti 8 die Jvnii A° Dui 1588 .Etatis svre 6— Necnon chariss sv;b conivgis Dorotiie fill — Et coharoedis Will: Barlee de Aldebvr — Armigeri defvncti Qv!C qvidem Dor: obiit 4° Januarii 1574." This Thomas Leventhorpe was twice High Sheriff of the county, and was connected with the Leventhorpe's who are buried at Sawbridgeworth ; and perhaps his on, also Thomas Leventhorpe, by a will dated 1594 ( ) a;ave some property in London to the vicar and poor of Albury. Near pulpit. II. — Miin in armonr (with dog- at his feet) and his wile, with crest above and four daugliters underneath the lady. The inscription and brass of the sons are gone. Cu^sans has an engraving, omitting the children, and he Siiys that the crest resembles that of the Fanshawe family, but he could not trace any connection between that house and Albury. Tlie lady's head-dress is similar to that of Lady Say at Broxbourne, and he gives the date as about 1475. . On floor of nave. III. — xV brass engraved with the figures of a man in armour with his wife, and one child standing between them, who was evidently "Master Edwarde" mentioned below. At the top corners of the stone are two shields, and under tlie figures is an inscription. " Here lyeth Ihon Scrogs, Gentleman The Sonne of Frances Scrogs Esquire Levinge issve Edwarde Scrogs. He Deceased the 18 of Avgvst 1592." Above the brass is iilso a skull with inscription under, " Memento mori." The Scroggs family were numerous in the neighbour- hood, and Cussans mentions the name as late as 1710 and 1737, and gives a pedigree of them, at Patmore Hall, in the parish of Albury a Lord Chief Justice Scroggs in 1679. They lived There was On south ivall of chancel. IV. — Two shields and inscription under. " Anne Barley daughter of Henry Barley Esquier late wyfe of Phillip Gunterof Loiid5 Skynner deceased hath gyven for ever to be receyved out of one half^ of ye lande of ye Manor of Bromley Lienge in the pishe of Standen iii. pound a yere viz. lij. shillinge yerely bvxij^ pence every Sunday in bread to ye poore of this pishe 1 vi. shillinge to a preacher for a sermon at Easter xij. pence to ye vicar of this pishe, % vi. pence a yere to either Churchwarden of this pishe for their paynes to see ye distribucio of ye said money yerely." This money is now all given annually in bread, fuel, and clothing for the poor. It formerly was distributed every Sunday according to the bequest on the tomb of the donor. On north icall of chancel. X. — Three shields of arms, which, according to Cussans, are those of Leventhorp impaling Barley, Gunter, and Lytton, showing that these families were all connected by marriage. Cussans notices all these brasses, and Haines gives Xos. I. and III., while Chauncy mentions No. I. only. Haines says " that at the British Museum is an inscription to John Bowes, rector of ' Aldebury,' 1517," but the list of vicars of Albury does not give this name, as the records are imperfect. ALDBURY. I. — Man, wife, children, and four shields. These brasses represent Sir Ralph Verney and Elizabeth his wife, and their nine sons and three daughters. They are fixed upon an altar tomb, and are in a good state of preservation. On the sides of the tomb were originally six shields, which, with the inscriptions, are missing. Sir Ealph is represented as being in a com- plete suit of armour, with his head resting upon a helmet, and his arms are engraved on his tabard. The lady is dressed in a long robe, with a mantle elaborately emblazoned with the arms of Whittingham and also of her father, Edmund Lord Bray, and the mantle is fastened at her neck by a cord reaching to her feet with two tassels ; her head-dress is plain, and has long strings behind. The nine boys are all dressed alike in plain robes, and are all shown of the same height, instead of the usual plan of graduating from large to small. The three girls are also plainly dressed. The four shields all bear in various forms the quarterings of Verney and Bray. Haines gives the date 1546-7, and ' Clutterbuck, in his History of Herts, has a good en- graving of the brasses. The family of Verney held the Manor of Pendley in this parish, and lived at the Manor house. The above-named Sir Ralph died in April, 1546, and the iManor came to his eldest son, who died without issue, and it then fell to the eldest surviving brother. Sir Edmund Verney, who sold it, and died 11th Jan., 1599. Cussans says : " At King's Langley Church is a mutilated tomb to a member of the Verney family and his wife," which was erected to Sir Ralph Verney, second son of Sir Ralph Verney, Lord Mayor of London in 1465, and his wife, and was originally erected in the old church of King's Langley, and was removed to this church on the demolition of the former building. In 1487 Ralph Verney, Esq., was appointed keeper of the parks of Berkhampstead and King's Langley. The burial place of the family was originally at the Monastery of Ashridge, but the bodies in the vault were removed to Aldbury Church in 1575, accord- ing to an inscription on a brass plate. (See No. Ill ) A brass in Quainton Church, Bucks, is to the memory of Margery, wife of Sir Raufi^ Verney, 1509, with one son and three daughters. She was daughter of John Iwardby, Esq. Several of the name are buried in Compton Verney, Warwickshire. Un north pier of chancel. II. — Young man, and inscription : — " Hie JHCet Johes Havers filii henrice daver Merceiiu londo q quide iolies obiit xsviij° die Angustii A°din M°CCCC°Lxviij°cui aie ppiciet de." The figure is very small, and is that of a young man in a long robe ; he has pointed shoes, and wears a gypciere. Cussans gives the name as " Daveis," but Haines calls it " Havers." It is indistinct on the plate, but is probably the latter, and may have been connected with the family of Verney, as a brass is in Compton Verney Church with inscription to the memory of Richard Verney, Esq., 1536-7, and his wife Anne (daughter of William Havers). ( ) III. — A brass plate and inscription, fixed in the chapel in lo7'5, when it was built by Edmund, great grandson of Sir John Verney, and the tomb and bodies of his ancestors were then removed from Ashridge to this chapel. "This Monument was placed and erected in the Monasterie of Ausheritch by Sr Robert Whittingham, Knight, one of the privie counsaile to Kyng Henrie the syxt & Treasourer in the warrs in Fraunce under the duke of Bedford Regent there for ye said King Ilenrie his Nephewe, which saide Sr Robert was after slaine at the Battel of Teuxburie in the Countie of Glowster and Sr John Verney knight who married dame M'garet, ye dawgliter & sole heyre of this saide Sr Robert "Whittingham knight, was after buried in the saide Tombe, witli dame Margaret his ladie And Sr Ralph Verney knight sonne and heyre to the aforesaide Sr John Verney & dame Margaret was buried in the same tombe with dame Anne his Lady wch tombe & bodies, Edmund Verney the third son of Sr Ralph Verney the yonger knight which lieth buried in the chauncell of Aldeburie removed from Ausheritche the xviij. yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Ladie Queue Elizabeth and made this Chappell with the vawlt wherein thoy lie And after in the year 1 588 buried & laied there in dame Audrey Carewe his late wyfe & so in this sort cawsed it to be erected as due to the said Edmond who by Lyneall discent ys able to prove yt appertayneth to him & his Heires, as lawfull heyre to the saide Syr Robert 'Whittingham knight." Haines and Cussans mention all the above brasses, but Chauiicy only refers to No. I., and calls the name of this place "Albury." ALDENHAM. I. — A man in the dress of a civilian and bis wife, who has a ruff round her neck and wears a brocaded dress ; with inscription under. " Here under this stone lyeth in hope of a joyfull and glorious resurrection, the bodie of Edwarde Brisko of Orgarhall in this parishe gent, sonne and heire of Edwarde Brisko gent, who was likewise sone and heire of Edward Brisko Gent, desended of the familie of the Briskoes of Brisko &Crofton in the County of Cumber- land Esqviers wch first mentined Edward Brisko haveinge issue by Plelen his firste wife Edwarde Brisko his only Sonne and heire who in the invocation of God's holy name and full assvreance of his mercie ended this life the xvith daye of Aprill Anno 1608. Edwardus Brisko patri optimo ct carrissimo Pietatis et observentio ergo M.P." The Briscoe family resided in the neighbourhood of Aldenham for many years, and the name appears frequently in the registers of the church, and also at Great Berkhamsted, and Cliauticy says " that the manor of Pickets or Xewberry in this parish was held by William Briscoe, one of the yeomen of the Guard, and upon his death it came to Edward Briscoe his son and heir, who is the present possessor hereof (1700)." Haines ^o. X. II. — A civilian and two wives, one on either side of him, and at the foot of one wife is a small brass of one son, and of the second wife are two daughters. The inscription is gone, but Haines No. V. states the date as about 1525. Both the women are habited alike in the dress of the period, and the one on the right hand has lost part of tlie head. III. — A man in the robes of a civilian, without a head, the inscription also missing. Haines No. II. says about 1520. IV. — A woman with brass of a child and part of inscription. " . . . . e of Jone VTarner late . . , Jone decessyd the viiith .... f our Lord God M° . ." Cussans has no mention of this brass, but Haines No. Vir. states "Jone Warner, 1535 or 1538, and daughter and her husband William, 1531 (lost) and in- scription mutilated." Chauncy gives inscription : — "Here lyeth William Warner and Joan his Wif, which AVilliam died 1531 and Joan 1588, on whose Souls , . ." V. — A civilian and wife. The feet of the man are broken ofi^. Cussans gives engravings of the two figures, and says that the costume belongs to the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. The man's hair is very straight and cut across the forehead. Haines No. I. gives the date about 15'20, and says the inscrip- tion is lost. VI. — A woman, without any inscription. This brass is in a very perfect state, and Cussans has an engraving of it, and says the costume is that of a lady of the middle class about the years 1480-1490. Haines, No. VIII., gives the date about 1535, and mentions that the figure was engraved by a London artist, and shows the front of the skirt turned up and fastened by a band passing round the hips, &c. VII. — Man and three wives, inscription, and children. The man seems to have had children by all his wives, but nothing now remains of the brasses but portions of two of the wives. Haines No. VI. gives the number of children by each wife — nineteen in all. Cussans also mentions the brasses of the third wife and all the children, but after the church was repaired in 1882 these were found to be missing. Haines calls the man a civilian of the date about 1525. VIII. — Man and wife, two sons, and six daughters, i The man is dressed as a civilian, and has his hair very ' straight. The four brasses are well preserved, and ' Cussans states they were found under the pews when the church was restored in 1841. He gives the date as about 1450, but Haines No. III. about 1520. i IX. — Inscription, arms, and shield. " Nicholas Chowne is buried heare a Gentilman and free Of Haberdashers companie, in famous London cittie Who lefte Elizabetbe his wyf, and children fewer alyve Which he in wedlock had by her, his name for to revive In lyf time he was loucd well and Chrystianlie he Died Whose soule in faithfull Abrams brest we hope dothe now abide." ( 8 ) The brasses of the man and wife and four children mentioned by Haines No. XI. of the year 1580, are missing. Tlic four coats of arms are all alike, and have upon each three thatcher's rakes, which are also upon the shield with crest. Cussaus notes that Nicholas Chowne was buried 11th August, 1569, and that a Jane Chowen was married to John Puckering on 21st February, 1568-9, and a Thomas, son of George Chowen, gentleman, was baptised on 1st Dec, 1583. X.— Man and six sons and tive daughters, the wife and inscription gone. Haines No. lY. says he was a civilian of about 1520. XI.— Small figure of a woman in a winding sheet, with inscription, the last line of which has been cut off. " Here under this marble stone lyethe Lucas Goodyere Deptyd and gone yt. pleasyd the Lord God in Octobre the xth day, she beying in chyld bed Decessyd wythout naye, and Edmoud hir lytle sone lyethe hir by . . . Haines No. IX. gives the date as 1547, and Chauncy gives the last line — " On whos Sowlys Jesu have mercy. 1547." XII. — One shield and part of another is all that remains on a large stone upon which is the matrix of the brass of a man in armour. Cussans states that the stone originally formed the cover of an altar tomb, and that the arms on the shields are those of " Stepney," which family were lords of the manor in the 16th century. Chauncy gives an inscriptiou from " Weever " which may have belonged to the tomb — "Here'lyeth Ralph Stepny Esq , the first Lord of the Lordship of this Town of Aldenham and Patron of this Church who dyed 3 December, 1544, on whose Sowl Jesu have Mercy. Amen." Chauncy only notices Nos. I., IT., XI., and XII., but gives in addition (now lost) — " Here lyeth buried the Body of John Long, Salter Citizen and Alderman of London and Dame Margery his wife ; which John died the 6th day of July MVCXXXVI, whose soul Jesus pardon." Haines says "the brasses of these persons are lost, but a rubbing is in the possessiou of Mr. J. B. Nichols." He mentions all but No. XII. Nos. I.-Y. and VII. are in the south chancel aisle. No. XII. is within the altar rails, and the remainder are in front of sacrarium steps. GREAT AMWELL. On ivall. I. — Small brass to an ecclesiastic. Date about 1400. There seems to have been five vicars of this church between 1392 and 1409, and probably this brass com- memorates one of them. Over vestry door. II. — A small brass plate with arms and inscription. Within a bordure charged with eight estoilles ; on a canton a lion rampant ; differenced with an annulet for Mankes. " Here lyeth interred ye body of Anthony Mankes, vicar of Amwell, who died the 28 of August, 1684." 4th chapter of Proverbs, 18th verse (in Greek). Anthony Mankes was instituted as vicar iu 1683. Under toiver. III. — A small figure of a man (with head missing), and a wife on each side of him, and figures of seven children, fuur boys and three girls, by the first wife, and the matrix only of one child by the second wife, but nothing to show who they represent. Chauncy mentions the following as being extant at the time of his writing the history of the county, but they are not now to be seeu, and are probably covered over by pews : — " Infra jacet sepultus Gulielmus Hawling hujus Ecclesite Vicarius; qui obiit Febr. 7, Anno Salutis 1682-3, Annoq Domini .3^tatis suse 75." " Thomas Hassel, Vicarius Amwellensis T.H.V., ac pro infinita infinitam tu habes vitam aliam sjjiravit Anno Domini 1573. Respiravit annos 84. Exspiravit anno 1657. In .iEternam vivat et valeat." William Hawling was appointed vicar in 1660, and Thomas Hassell in 1599. The latter has noted in the Burial Register that the parish was infested with a plague in 1603, and that he buried a large number of the inhabitants who died from its ravages. None of the above are mentioned in Haines's " Manual of Monumental Brasses." ARDELET. On tvall of chancel. I. — Figure of a priest in robes of office, and in- scription. " Hie jacet philippus Metcalff'e legum bacalarius dudum vicarius hujus ecclesife qui obiit xxix. die Junii A° diii M° vcxv. cui ane propicietur deus." The last four words have been defaced to render them illegible, but they can be traced as above. Philip Metcalfe was vicar from 1492 to 1515, and was one of the witnesses to the will of Leonard Hyde, Esqr., of Throcking, Herts, who died in 1508 or 1509. Under chancel arch. II. — A man and his wife, with four sons and two daughters, and inscription. The man is clothed in a long plain gown, and the woman wears a figured petti- coat, peaked stomacher, and ruff. " Here lyeth the body of Thomas Shotbolt, late of this Towne of Yardiy, Esqr., and Mary, his wife, the secoude Daughter of Sr John Boteler, of Watton Woodhall, Knight, who had issue fowre sonnes and two davghters. He died the ixt'i day of June in the yeare of our Lord God 1599, and in the yeare of his age 72." Also arms and crests of Shoibolt and Boteler. Thomas Shotbolt in 1545 held property at Ardeley of the value of forty sliillings aad upwards, and was liable to contribute towards a subsidy taken up in that ( ) year. His lands were worth £10 at that time, and he was a freeholder residing in the county of Hertford. The Botelers were an old family connected with Watton and the neighbourhood. CbauncT mentions a brass inscription to John Gierke and Elizabeth, his wife, which John Clerk was Lord of the Manor of Cromer Hall in this parish, and died about the beginning of the reign of Queen Mary, in the lifetime of his father, George Clerk. " Hie jacent Johan Gierke and Elizabetha uxor ejus quorum animabus propitietur Deus." At Bennington are brasses of William, son of George Clarke, who died 1591, and John Clarke, who died 1604. " Hie Jacet Villielmus Cottysmere quondam Vicarius istius Ecclesiae, qui obiit in Festo Sanctorum Philippi & Jacobi Martyrum An. Dom. 1437. Gujus Anime propitietur Deus." Sir Henry Chauncy, the historian of Hertfordshire, died at Ardeley in 1719, and there are several memorials in the church to the Chauncy family. Haines notes I. and II. ASnWELL. Floor of nave. Inscription only. " Here Iveth ye body of John Sell, late of Ashwell in ye County of Hartford, Mercer, who depted this life ye 26 of May A^ 1618 about ye 5-5 yeare of his age. Aske how he liv'd and thou shalt know his end. He dyed to God a saint, to poore a friend." John Sell was a benefactor to the parish, and gave some land for the use of the poor by his will dated 24th May, 1618. The name of Sell is often found in the parish registers. Oliver Sell was rector of the neighbouring church of Hinxworth from 1660-1697, and a " Susses Sell " held the Manor of Hinxworth in 1709. Chauncy and Gu5sans mention this inscription, but it is omitted by Haines. A token was issued by John Sell, junr., about 1610. Several stones in this church denote where brasses originally laid, and Chauncy describes one inscription to Thomas Colby, who was vicar, and died 14th Sep- tember, 1489 ; and also one to William Dakins, another vicar, who died 18th February, 1598. I.- ASPEXDEX. On wall of nave. -Man and wife and portion of inscription. " , . . . alicie uxoris eius qui quidem . . . . dni millesimo CCCCCmo quorum." The man is wearing a merchant's dress, and has a gypciere suspended from bis waist ; the lady is in plain costume, with a straight head dress. Haines gives the name of the man as " Thomas Goodrich," and Salmon's history, written in 1728, states the same name, but the inscription was incorrectly copied by him, showing that it was perfect at that date, but no trace of the name appears in the neighbourhood, and Cussans does not mention it. Corner of aisle. II. — Man and wife, both kneeling ; the former is a knight in armour, and his surcoat is emblazoned with the arms of Clifford ; the lady has on an elaborate cloak, having upon it also the arms of Clifford on the one side and those of Barley on the other. At the feet of the knight is the indent of about two children, pro- bably sons, and at the feet of the lady are two daughters kneeling. From the mouth of the knight formerly was a scroll inscribed — " Benedicta et Sancta Trinitas ; " and from the lady's mouth is a scroll inscribed — " Miserere nobis peccatoribus." A shield on the left hand has upon it the arms of the knight, and one on the right hand those of the lady. An inscription partly mutilated : — ". . . . Syr Eobt Clyfford late knyght for the body I to ye moist excellent prnce kyng henry y® vii. and I maister of hys ordynaunce also . . . dame Elysabeth | his wyf \ wyf to Sr Eauffe Josselyn knyght whiche | syr Robt Clyiiord was the thyrde son of Thomas late I lordClySord \ the seid syr Eobt decessed the xv day of March | in the xxiii yer of the Reigne of kyng henr^ ye vii. % the said I dame Elisabeth decessed the — day of . in 1 . . . . MCCCCC . . . ." | Around the edge of the tomb is also an inscription : — " Credo quod redemptor mens vivit et in nouissimo die de terra surrecturus sum Et in carne mea videbo Deum salvatorem meum. Tedet animam meam vitae meae." Cussans gives a description of the doings of this Sir Robert Clyfford in connection with his designs to upset Henry YII. which do not appear to have been much to his credit. He seems to have betrayed his associates to the king, who pardoned and rewarded him, and he after- wards appeased his conscience by adding an aisle to Aspeden church, in which he was buried. His wife was the daughter of William Barley, of the neighbourhood, which name occurs in many of the surrounding parishes. The missing scroll was in existence in 1793, when the church was surveyed. The Joscelyns are found at Sawbridgeworth and Wvddial. Xos. I. and II. are both mentioned by Haines, Chauncy, and Cussans, the latter giving an engraving of the figures, &c. ASTON. Floor of nave. I. — A man and his wife and inscription. The man is bareheaded, and wears a tunic with short sleeves, and has on his breast a large Tudor rose with imperial crown, and has a sword at his side, and is represented as standing on a pavement of tiles with an oval pattern on them. The woman wears a hat and ruff. "Here lyeth buried the bodye of John Kent, late ( 10 ) servant to Kinge Edwarde the Sixt, Queene Marye, and Queene Elizabeth, who niaried Marye ye daughter of Thomas Saunders, aud had issue by her v. soiines and V. daughters, whiche John deceased the iiij"i day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1592, aetatis suae. 72." The parish register, which is well preserved, contains the names of several members of the Kent family, and the name is also found mentioned at Watton, Stevenage, and Weston, wliich parishes are all adjacent to Aston. BALDOCK. On north wall. I.— Man and woman in shrouds, but nothing to indicate who they represent. They are mentioned by Haines as about 1480 (Addenda 261). II. — Man and woman. The man is a civilian, and has a large purse suspended from his girdle. The inscription is lost. Haines No. III. gives the date as 1480, and says perhaps the brasses represent William Crane, 1483, and Margaret or Joane,his wife, and gives an engraving of the upper part of the woman, wearing a horned head-dress with a veil behind her head. Chauncy gives inscription : " Prey for the Sowlys of William Crane, Jone and Margaret his Wyffes which William dyed 1483 on whos ." III. — A man and woman. The man is dressed as a civilian, and was evidently a huntsman or park- keeper, as he has a horn hanging from his left shoulder and a small sword at his side ; at his feet was a dog, which was fastened to him by a cord close to the sword at his waist. The lower part of the man is gone, as well as the inscription and the dog. Haines No. II. says the figures represent Wm. Vynter, 1416, and Margaret, his wife, 1411, and has an engraving of the man ; and Cussans also. Chauncy gives the following inscription: — " Orate pro Wilielmi Vynter generosi et Mar- garete consortis suaj qui quidem Wilielmus obiit 2 Junii, 1416, et Margareta ob Octob., 1411, eorum aniraabus, parentum, amicorum, Benefactorum suorum Deus omnipoteus pro sua magna misericordia propitietur. Amen." A John Yynter was rector of Clothall, and died 1404. On floor of chancel. IV. — An inscription. " Margaretaj Benett matri susc piisimoe Qua; obiit in Domino mense novembri ano 'Dn! 1587. Robertus Benett Episcopus Hereford pietatis nomine posvit." Cussans and Chauncy both mention this inscription, and Cussans says that Dr. Benett was a native of Baldock ; but it has been omitted by Haines. On floor of nave. V. — An inscription fixed in the stone, upon which is laid the brass of a woman. No. VI. " Hie jacet Rev. Edmundus Pym, A.B., Oiim Christi Coll. Cant, et Rect. de Radwell hoc in com. qui ob. xix. die Octobris Anno Dm MDCCCVII. fetatis LXXXIII." The Rev. Edmund Pym was rector of Radwell from 1777 to 1786, when he resigned the living. VI. — A woman. The husband and inscription are missing. Haines gives the date as 1410, and says that J. B. Nicholls, Esq., has a rubbing of the male figure. The woman has her head covered with a handkerchief falling upon her shoulders. Cussans says that this brass was removed from another stone, and was cut and placed where it now lies when the inscription to the Rev. Edmund Pym was fixed ! ! ! ! Haines notices all the above except No. IV. BARKWAY. On wall of south aisle. I. — Man, two wives, children, and inscription. " Here lyeth buryed Robert Poynard, whyche Decessyd ye xvi. day of September in the yere of our lord God MCCCCLXJ., who had ij. wyves, Johne and Brydgett, and by the sayde Brydgett he had yssue iiij. "dowghters, Martha, Judethe, Rebeka, and Francys." The man is wearing a civic robe trimmed with fur, and his feet are encased in slippers ; he is bare-headed, and wears a beard. His first wife, " Johne," on his right hand, wears a plain dress with a neat cap, showing the costume of the time of the early years of Queen Elizabeth's reign. The second wife is dressed in the costume of a somewhat later period, and is also neatly attired, and at her feet, partly in front, are shown her four daughters, with long hair hanging over their shoulders, and dressed alike. The inscription is very explicit, and gives the names of the four children, and states to which wife they belong. Robert Poynard is mentioned as being a freeholder and living at Ash well in 1561. This brass is not mentioned in Haines's book. It was found, when the church was restored, under the floor. Nor does Chauncy notice its existence. On floor of chancel. II. — Inscription. _ " Hie jacet Anna nuper uxor Johis Rowley, generosi, que obiit nono die Februarii, Anno Dni 1613." John Rowley was born at Brent Pelham ; he was sheriff of Herts in 1650, and died in 1667, aged 94. He was buried at Barkway, as was also his second wife, whose inscription is on the slab with her husband. At Brent Pelham is a brass to the two wives of Mr. Francis Rowley, 1625 and 1627, and many of this name are buried in that churchyard. At Wyddial is a slab to the daughter and co-heir of John Rowley, of Barkway, who died 17x1. This inscription is noticed by Chauncy, but not by Haines. 11 BARLEY. ' I. — An ecclesiastic, and inscription under. " Hie jacet Andreas "Willet, Doctor Sacraj Theologioe aliquando huius ecclesia} minist- -er & magnum totius vera; ecclesiiie ornaraent- -um, obiit Anno setatis sune 59 an° Doiii 1621, Decembr 4. Vivus in hoc tegitur (lector mirare) sepulchro Willettus sua post fuuera vivus adhuc : — Vin ubinnuc habitet cogiioscere consule sumptu Magniflco structam scripta polita domum Interea partem banc eius quam fata tulerunt hie ubi paulis per fleris abire potes : Thou that erewhile didst such strong reasons frame as yet great Willet are the popelings shame, Nowe by thy sickenes thy death hast made Strong arguments to proove that mans a shade. Thy life did shew thy deepe divinity, Death only taught us thy humanity." This priest is dressed in his ecclesiastical robes, with cap and ruff, and wears a beard. The Rev. Andrew Willet was rector of this parish from 1599 to his death in 1621, and seems to have been a learned man and author of several works, including one named " Synopsis Papismi." He was owner of the Manor of Greenbury in this parish, and was probably a son of a Thomas Willet, who was rector from 1571 to 1598. Cussans says that Andrew Willet was killed by falling from his horse when riding through Hoddesdon, but he does not seem to have discovered this brass which is in the church, and a small engraving is in the Add. MSS. in the British Museum. He gave a house and half an acre of land for the poor. Near altar rails. II. — Inscription. " Here resteth the body of Ann Brownri gge, the wife of Doct : Brownrigge, Rector of this church, the daughter of William Cholmcly, of Highgate, Esquier, who in the 23 yeere of her age, on the 2 day of May, 1630, in much faith and comfort yeelded up her spirit into the hands of God. I am dead, and my life is hid with Clirist in God ; when Christ who is my life shal appeare then shall also appeare with him in Glory." Dr. Brownrigge was rector of Barley from 1621 to 1642, when he was elevated to the bishopric of Exeter. He died in 1659, and was buried in the Temple Church, London. Cussans gives No. II. only, but Chauncy notices both I. and II. ; Ilaines gives A'o. I., but omits No. II., and also adds an inscription which is given by Chauncy as under: — " Hie jacet Robertus Bricket Generosus, qui obiit decimo die Junii Ann Dom 1546, et iEtat sua; 49." This brass is not now to be seen, but it existed in 1747, and is mentioned in Add. MSS. at the British Museum. Chauncy adds that "Robert Bricket gave an house rented at £3 per annum to the poor of this parish." BARNET. On north wall of aisle. I. — Inscription. " Here lyeth Elinor Palmer, Wyffe unto Edward Taylor, Esquier, And after y^ wyfe to John Palmer, Esquier, of Kentishetowne, and one of y^ dowghters of Edward Chesema, who was coferar to kinge Henry ye vijtii vych Elyno' dyd geue tow Acares of medowe grownd in Kentishe towne holden of ye p'bende of cauntelous unto ye use of the poore of this towne and of Ketishe towne f(ir ever, which said Elynor deceassed the 29 daye of Februarie in Anno Donl 1558." This inscription is mentioned by Haines, Chauncy, and Cussans. The latter also says : " Eleanor Palmer, widow of John Palmer, of Kentish Town, gave, in 1558, two acres of meadow land called Fortis, in Kentish Town, two-thirds for the use of the poor of this parish and one-third for the poor of Saint Pancras, London. The meadow land has long since been built on, and the income is derived from the ground rents of thirty-four houses in Fortess Terrace, twenty houses in Fortess Grove, and stables and rooms called Fortess Mews, the leases of which property expire between 1910 and 1922. With the accumulated rents derived from this estate a piece of ground was bought on Barnet Common, on which were built in 1823 almshouses for six aged men and six aged women. £98 per annum is received from the property in Kentish Town, which, with other monies, is distributed weekly among the in- habitants of Barnet." BAYFORD. I. — Man in armour, having a skirt of mail with tassets strapped over it, and gauntlets lying at his feet, supposed to represent John Knighton, who was Lord of the Manor a.d. 1545. II. — Man in armour, supposed to be the brass of Sir George Knighton, Knt., son of John Knighton, and who died Nov. 12th, 1613, and has a monument with inscription to his memory in the church. II L — A portion of the figure of a woman, probably the wife of one of the above. IV. — A shield of arms belonging to the Knighton family. Barry of eight, on a canton, a tun paleways for Knighton, impaling quarterly of 4 ; 1 and 4, on a pale a demiluce or conger's head, erect couped for Gascoigne ; 2 and 3, three picks for Pickett or Pigott. (Three picks are to be found in the arms of Thomas Pygott at Tewin church.) The brass of John Knighton is chased on the reverse, and has part of a shrouded figure showing a naked foot. The shield and small portion are also palimpsests. These brasses were all found in a box when the old church was pulled down in 1870, and are much damaged. The two figures of the men in armour are engraved in Cussans' History of the County. They are not mentioned by Chauncy, and no inscriptions were discovered with them. Haines mentions I. II. and III. ( 12 ) BENNINGTON. On floor of nave. I. — Inscription only — " William Clarke the 4 sonne of George Clarte Cliaunged liis liffe the xxiiii. day of May, 1591 "Who was as thou art, \ is as thou shal be." George Clarke by will d;ited 8th October, 1556, gave £2 10«. for the poor of this parish, and also other sums for the parishes of Stevenage and Saadridge in this county. II. — Inscription only — " Here lyeth the bodie of John Clarke, of this Towne of Bennington Covncill at Lawe who Maried Edith one of the Davghters of Robert Cole of Bargeholt in the Covnty of Svffolck gent who had issve by her one sonne named Willni Three Davghters named Anne Edith & Elizabeth. He died ye xith Day of Jvne 1604 AgedL." III. — Upper portion of the brass of a priest found in 1881, and affixed now on a pier in the chancel. Haines mentions I., a lady circa 1570, part gone; II. some children ; but says nothing about any other brass or inscriptions. GREAT BERKHAMSTED. Under transept arch. I. — Figure of a man holding the hand of his wife. The man is habited in a long loose tunic, buttoned to the throat, with close sleeves and cuffs ; his feet are resting on a lion. The woman wears a plain dress with long lappets, and is represented as standing on two dogs. Both the figures have their left hands on the breast, and were formerly under a double canopy and surrounded by a border with an inscription, nearly all of which is lost. The only words remaining are — " Et Margareta obiit xxix." Chauncy gives the inscription, and also Clutterbuck. " Hie jacet Richardus Torrington et Margareta Uxor ejus quiquidem Richardus obiit quarto mensis Marcii Anno Domini Millio CCCL sexto et Margareta obiit xxix die mensis Mail Anno Domini Millio CCCmo XL nono." Chauncy also states that this Torrington was supposed to be the founder of the church, and was a man of special favour with Edward Plantaganet, Duke of Cornwall, whose father, Richard Plantagenet, died at Berkhamsted Castle. Boutell gives an engraving of the figures, and says : " They are Richard Torryngton and Margaret his wife, the founders or at least the rebuilders of this church." The wife was a member of the family of Incent, several of whom are buried in the church, and two shields of arms of Torrington and Incent remain, but were reversed when they were relaid, and Chauncy remarks that " the same coats of Torrington and Incent are round the church on every pillar, and on the woodwork on the side of the church, and is thus blazoned — ' He beareth or, on a Bend Gules a Rose of the First in the Honour point a Dove Sable.' " Haines No. I. gives the date 1349, " with canopy and marginal inscription nearly all lost." Part of the man's arm is gone, but the hand remains clasped in that of the woman. In a collection in the IBritish Museum, made in 1780, the figures are shown perfect. Floor of south transept. II. — Figure of a man in armour similar to that on the Torrington altar tomb. Cussans gives an engraving of it, but there is no inscription extant. Chauncy gives an inscription which may probably belong to it — " Hie jacet Johannes Raven Armiger qui obiit XV die Martii Anno Domini MCCCXCV." Boutell states (No. II.), " A man in armour, about 1365; inscription gone; perhaps John Raven, Esq., 1395." Near altar tomb. III. — Figure of a woman in a plain dress, with a reticulated head-dress. There is no inscription, but Haines No. III. mentions " A Lady about 1370. Canopy and Inscription lost ; perhaps Margaret Briggs, 1374." Chancel step. IV. — Half figure of a priest (not mentioned by Cussans). Boutell says the date is circa 1400. A John Milton was instituted as rector in 1385, and John Creeton in 1386, who was succeeded by Thomas Brydde, who resigned the living in 1406. North traiisipt. V. — Figure of a man in loose robes with narrow girdle and fur lining at the chest; he has long hair, cut straight on forehead, and inscription, partly broken off- " Hie jacet Ricardus Westbroke qui obiit (die mensis) Septebris Ao dni milliuo ccc° lxxxv° Cui (ala ppc't' dens) Supplicans vobis ex caritate vra p aia s(ua pat' nostr & ave) " In chapel. VI. — Woman in shroud ; and inscription — " Here lyeth buryed und' this stone the bodye of Kateryne sumtyme the Wyf of Robert Incent gent father and mother unto John Incent docto' of ye lawe Who hatli done many benyfit & ornamente gyven Unto this Chapell of Saynt John Whyche sayd Kateryne dyed the xi day of Marche ye xii yere of the Reygne of Henry the viii (Gujus ) " VII. — Inscription only — " Here lyeth buryed und' thys stone the body of Robert Incent Gentylman late s'vant unto the Noble pryncesse lady Cecyle duchesse of Yorke & Mother unto the worthy king Edward the iiij and Richarde the thyrde whych sayd Robert Incent dyed at the grete swetyng sykenesse the fyrst yere of the reygne of kyng Henry the vij upon whose sowlys Jhu have mercy. Amen." This inscription is curious, as it denotes the cause of the death of Robert Incent. Chauncy describes him as being the Secretary to the Duchess of York, and states that under the inscription is a coat of arms, and ( 13 ) above is his effigy in full length in brass, neither of which are now to be found. The lucent family seems to have been somewhat famous in their generation. The Grammar School was benefited by the gift of land, &c., by Dean Incent, of St. Paul's,' about 1523, and he re-built the school at his own cost and died a year afterwards. There is a large altar tomb in the north transept called the Incent tomb, and upon it are recumbent figures, and on the sides are shields of Incent and also Torrington, showing a connection between the two families. Vestry tuall. VIII. — Brass tablet, with inscription — " John "Waterbous Gent Deceased the xi daye of August in Anno 1558, and Margaret his wief Deceased the x day of Januarii in Anno dicto Which John and Margaret had Issue viz John Thomas William Edward Arthur and Charles." IX. — Tablet and inscription — " Here under lyeth the bodie of the worthie ladie Dame Margaret Waterhouse deceased daughter of Thomas Spilman of Chart in the Countie of Kent Esq. in memorieof whose virtues and liis dearest love Sr Edw. Waterhous Knight her husband hath caused this monumput to be erected. She died the 6 day of July 1587 J^tatis svfe 38 and hee ye 13 of October ^Etatis svse 55 and lieth buried wtli his last wife Dame Debora at the Mannor of Wordechurch in Kent." Chauncy mentions both these inscriptions and de- scribes the coats of arms belonging to them ; and Cussans (p. 153, part 1, vol. III.) gives an elaborate pedigree of the Waterhouse family. Haines does not notice them. On ivindow sill in north transept. X. — Inscription, &c., on face of brass^ " Of youre charite pray for the soule Of Thomas Humfre late of londo' goldsraythe and Jone hys wyffe the dou ghter of Wyllyam bayntu bruer whych Jone dyssessyd the iiij day of december." Insciiption on reverse — "Ecce sub hoc tumulo conjunx uxorque jacemus Aeternam pacem donet utrique Deus Nil quiquam abstulimus si quid beneficimus ulli Eat qui pro meritis praemia digna dabit Est tamen una salus Christi miseratio quam qui Transis ambobus sepe precare precor." This brass is a palimpsest, and has been reduced in size, as Haines and Cussans both state that the figures of Thomas Humfre and wife and five sons and two daughters were origitially engraved upon it, and dates about 1465 or 1500. Cussans says the Latin inscription was to John Waterhouse (mentioned above), and was formerly upon a tomb in St. Catlierine's Chapel. The initial letter of the first inscription represents St. Jerome and a lion. XI. — Brass shield, with lower half gone, bearing the arms of Cornwallis, fixed on the top of an altar tomb which has no inscription. The name of Sir John Cornewallis appears in the register of the parish, May 1st, 1544, as having been buried. He was a knight of Prince Edward's Council. Chauncy states that a gravestone has upon it full length effigies in brass, and inscription, " Hie jacet Edwardus De la hay Armiger qui obiit indecimo quinto mensis Junii Anno Dom. MVCX. Cujus &c." He had £4 and two gowns bequeathed to him by Cicely, the Duchess of York, who died in 1495. These brasses are missing. Haines gives (No. V.) " Edmund Cook 1409, with Anelace," &c. Chauncy says that a gravestone has this inscription : — " ' . . . Edmundi Cook qui obiit 24 die mensis Junii Anno Dom 1409.' The head of the effigy is broke off, but a label has this inscription : — ' Jesu filii Dii miserere mei.' " Clutterbuck says the effigies were those of a monk, but no trace of the brass remains. BISHOP STORTFOED. Oh floor of church. I. — Inscription — " Here lyeth the body of Charles Denny Preacher of God's Worde Mr of Arte of 12 yeares standinge one the Senior Ffel- lowes of Kings Colledg in Cambridge Gransonu vnto the Right IlolJle Sr Anthony Denny Knight who was Pryvy Counceller To Kinge Henry the Eight and seaventh Sonn to Sr Edw. Denny Knight gentleman Of Qveene Elizabeths Pryvy Chamber And of the Lady Margarett his wyfe Some tyme mayde of honnor vnto her Matie The Sd Charles deceased the 29 of Decemb. 1635, being 38 yeares of age." II. — Inscription — '* An epitaph on the death of Thomas Edgcomb y'' sonne of Richard Edgcomb Of Mount Edgencomb Knighte and Dame Marj'e his wife, who dyed the 22th of Maye Ano 1614. Optimum Cito Mori Edgcomhe an infant born of gentle race For this cheefe cause to live did but beginne By baptism to be clensed and by grace 'From that fovlc spot of originall sinne Whose happy sovle wth actuall sinne not stain'd By shorte life here etcrnall blisse hath gainde Ye parcntes morne not fix yo' joye, herein The pmise made to faithfuU seede is debte As by that sweet imbrace Christ gave was scene Yov procreate to nomber God'es clecte Angelles and sovles alike pvre essence be And new borne babes as pvre in next degree." Lady Margaret Denny, the mother of the above- named Charles Denny, has an inscription on stone to her memory in the church, stating she was descended from the " Autient family of the Edgecorabes of Mont ( 14 Edge-combe in Corncwall," and tliere are several other monuments to the Denny family. Anthony Denny was :^rember of rarliament'for the County of Hertford in 1547. Hill Denny was rector of Eastwick iu this county from 1705 to 1719. " Turner," in his History of Hertford, tells us that Sir Anthony Denny was a great friend of Henry VIII., who bestowed upon him the site of Hertford Priory and also the Manor, witli the advowson of the Church of Saint John, Hertford, in the year 1538. He seems to have been present at the death of his royal master, and was an executor of his will, and he died at Cheshunt in 1549. Haines does not mention the above inscriptions, but they are found in Chauncy's and Cussans's histories. BOVINGDON. On fioor of chancel. i; I. — Inscription — " Here lyeth the body of John Hall Mase of Artes, sometime'of Trinitie CoUedge in Cambridge who departed this life the 16th day of Februari 1617, being 57 yea- res of age, and had to wife Alice the daughter of Richard Long of Fitzwill- iams of this parish by whome he had issue 2 sonnes and 6 daughters." Chauncy gives an inscription to John Long and his wife as existing in Aldenham Church, a few miles from Bovingdon, but the brass is now gone, II. — Inscription — " Henricus tumulo hoc jacet Maines Qui cum servierat deo potenti denote variisq eum bearat Coelorvm dominus bonis flventer cum vitam patientia stupenda longam transierat senex peracto tandem circuitu occidit quiete sic dulci radio cadit serenus sol cum finieiit svos labores Obiit 2° Maij 1605." III. — Inscription — • " Here lyeth buried the body of Andrew Mayne the eldest sonne of James Mayne who died the xviitli daye of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1621 and was of the age of seaventene yeares wanting five days at the tyme of his death. Ad nocem tubcc resurgent mortui." IV. — Inscription — " Here lyeth buried Mary Mayne the daughter of John Andrewes gent., the wife of James Mayne Esq., by whome shee had 4 sonnes and 5 daughters, shee departed this life tlie^4th of September Anno Dom., 1641." ) The family of Mayne held the Manor of Westbrooke Hay, near Bovingdoii, from about 1530 to 1680, when it was sold. Several of them are buried in this church. Neither Haines or Chauncy mention the above in- scriptions, and Cussans gives Nos. I., III., and IV., and says No. II. is described by Clutterbuck. It is now on the floor of the chancel. Clutterbuck also gives an inscription to Richard Gold and wife, 1531. BRAUGHING. On floor of nave. I. — Small figure of a lady, with inscription under— " Hie iacet Barbara Hanchett nupux' Thome Hanchett Armio-eri que obiit apud Aldebury inFesto Penthecostes Anno'^Dia M° CCCCCLXF. Sed hie Sepulta est." The place of death is here given as "Aldebury," which probably means Albury, which is a few miles from Braughing, tlie place named Aldbury being upwards of twenty miles distant. Cussans gives it as " Aldenham," which is clearly an error. Thomas Hanchett was lord of several manors in the neighbourhood, and left them to his son Thomas, who was a magistrate and sheriff of Hertfordshire. Thomas Hanchett was a freeholder of the parish of Braughing in 1561, and he had to supply one light horseman on the occasion of a levy made by Queen Elizabeth in 1572, for the purpose of •' suppress- ing any tumult or disturbance in the kingdom, or re- sisting any foreign invasion." II. — Inscription only — " [Hie Jacet Ricardus] fill' et heres Johns Grene nupsit Mercia una filiaru [ob]iit xiij^ die mensis Decebris gui Elizabeth regine quarto." This inscription is partly hidden by a pew, but Haines mentions it as No. IV., " Richard Grene Gent 1561." John Grene was a freeholder in the parish of Standon, near Braughing, in the year 1561. III. — Inscription and shield of arms — " Here lyeth bvryed y^ body of Rich: Grene Gent a Bacheler of the age pf LXXVIIJ yeares who deceased this life the xxth of Janvary 1610." Weever, in his *' Funorall Monuments," states that in 1631 was to be seen this inscription — " Here lyeth Thomas Greene the soonne of Nicholas Greene who dyed 2 March 1484." also — " Here lyeth Joan late wyfF of Thomas Rustwynne and dawter of Nicholas Greene who dyed . . 1400." And he adds, " Here are many monuments of the Greene's quite defaced." Nicholas Greene is described as being a resident at Braughing, and by trade a " maltman," about 1480, who was allowed to expend over 40s. per year. IV.— Small figures of man and wife; inscription lost. Haines No. I. says " A civilian and wife, about 1480." The lady wears gauntlets, but both figures are much defaced. ( 15 ) V. — Part of the figure of a man. Haines No. II. states, " A civilian, about 1190." Chauncy only mentions Nos. I. and III. of the above, Haines and Cussans notice all of them. BROXBOURNE. On floor of chancel I. — Priest in eucharistic vestments, holding between his hands a chalice ; a scroll issues from his mouth ii;scribed — " Si quis ejis qui transius Sta plege plora Su 86 ejis tueia qb quod es p me precor ora." At the corners of the stone have been fixed three ribbons ; one only is now remaining, inscribed " Lady helppe." Boutell states that the brass probably represents a John Merdwyn, who died a.d. 146-5. Haines says " perhaps Robert Ecton, vicar, 1474." On south side of chancel. II. — Large figure of Sir John Say, knight in armour (without a head) and his wife, two shields and large coat of arms, with an inscription round the verge of an altar tomb upon which the brasses are fixed, which are partly coloured — " Here lyeth JDame Elizabeth sometyme wyf to [Syr John Say, Knyght, dawter of Lawrence Cheyne, Esqu] yer of Cambriggeshire a Woman of noble blode and most noble in gode manners which decessed the xxv day of September The vere of our Lord A.M° CCCCLXXIII and entired'in this Chirch of Brokesborn abydyng The bodye of hir said Husband Whose Soules God Bryng to Ever [lastyng Blisse]." The words in brackets are missing, and also the brass strip at the foot of the tomb, which may have been inscribed with the name, &c., of Sir John Say, the husband, who died in 1478 or 1479. He was a Privy Councillor and Speaker of the House of Commons, and an .Esquire at Arms to King Edward IV. He is attired in a complete suit of armour of a highly- finished style, with sword hanging diagonally in front of him. Lady Say is richly dressed in a long flowing her hair is drawn back and has a veil extended her hands are uplifted and have rings on the her shoes are very pointed, and a small dog lies at her right foot Their son, Sir William Say, who died in 1529, built the north chancel aisle of Broxbourne Church, which is stated in an inscription round the outside of the building ; his tomb is inside, but the brasses belonging to it, of himself and his two wives, are all missing, as well as the inscription wh'eh is given by Weever and Chauncy as under: — •' Of your Cheritie pray for the Sowl of Sir William Say Knight deceased late Lord of the Mannor of Base, his Fader and Modcr, Genevese and Elizabeth his WyfEs, who dyed 4th of December 1529. 21 H. 8." Robert de Say, one of the knights of the Earl of Pem- broke, is stated to have been slain in a tournatnont held at Ware in 1241, Sir John Say, who died in mantle from it ; finffers 1479, married a second time, and left his widow Agnes ; also some money to pay a priest to sing for the souls of his first wife and himself for twenty years after his decease. His widow died a few months afterwards. IIL — A coat of arms and inscription under — " Xow Seaviity Seavn yeares past [myne only Sonne] I'me come vnto thee my life's glasse is runne Thou hadst the sliorfer I the longer howre Both equall now I hope th' eternall power For Christs bluod shed will rayse out of this dust Our flesh to resurrection of ye Just. 27 Febru. 1630." Cussans does not notice this brass ; nor does Chauncy mention it. It is Xo. VI. in Haines's list. The arms are those of " Molesworth," and the brass was in the church in 1843, but was not to be found in 1883. In front of altar rails, IV.— A man in civil costume, with emblems of the Evangelists at the four corners of the stone. The inscription is lost, but the figure has a scroll proceeding from his mouth with inscription — " Miserere mei de' sediii magna mi [sericordiam tuam]." The words in brackets are broken off' and are inserted by Cussans. Haines has no mention of the brass, and Chauncy does not seem to have found it. Near pulpit, V. — Two scrolls, each with the inscription — " Espoier in dieu." Cussans states that Clutterbuck mentions these sentences as belonging to the brasses of a man and his wife witli eight sons and three daughters and inscription — " Here lieth John Borrell, Serjeant at Armes to Henry the Eight, and Elizabyth his wyfi', who dyed MCCCCCXXXXJ." Haines mentions the above as " formerly " in the church, and has an engraving of John Borrell, holding a mace in his hand, in a complete suit of armour, with helmet on, and his feet are resting upon a lion. Chauncy does not mention this interesting brass, and nothing now remains (1882) but the two mottoes and the matrices in the stone. Haines Xo. Ilf., a priest in robes, about 1510, and inscription ; and also Xo. IV., three scrolls, &c., belonging to a priest, are all missing. BUCKLAXD. Under altar table. I. — Inscription — ' ' Here resteth the body of Joane Bland late the wife of Esdras Bland Rector of this Place. She departed this life the Thirtieth Day of Avgvst A° Din 1648. Blessed arc the dead J Poml ^ ^^ Which die in the Lord ( ^^^^^'" \ 13." Cussans says that p]sdras Bland was rector, and died in 1067, and" was also rector of Huusdon, Herts, from ( 16 ) 1586 to 1593, when he resigned the living. He left £2 annually to the poor of Buckland. 0» Jloor of wire. II. — Figure of a man in civil costume having a rosary and gypciere suspended from his waist, with inscription under, and brass of six sons and indent of brass of four daughters. " Orate p. aTi Jolifs Gyll qui ohlit xxiv die Januarii A° din MCCCCLXXXXIX cuj' aTe ppiciet' deus. Amen." This John Gill seems to have been a noted person at Buckland, and made various bequests to tlie parish, and the name appears often at the adjoining parish of Wyddiall. III. — Inscription only — " Orate p aia Johaini;\; Gyll que obiit die A din Miliino cuj' aie ppiciet' de' amen." Probably the widow of the above John Gyll. Onfliior of Lady Chapel, IV. — Figure of a priest in robes, wearing a " cope," and holding a chalice and wafer (stated by Haines to be the only known instance). Inscription under — " Hie jacet das Willnis Langley quodra Rector istius Ecclesie qui obiit quarto decimo die nies Aprilis A° din MCCCCLXXYIII. Cuius aie ppciet' de' ame." Over the head was a circular scroll, of which only a small portion remains. "William Langley was appointed rector in 1445. V. — Figure of a female, and inscription under — " Hie jacet Alicia quondam uxor Johis Boteler nuper Vicecomitis londoh que obiit xxi die mens Januarii Anno dill Millo CCCCLJ. Cuius aie ppicietur de' ame." The Botelers were a family living at "Woodhall, near "NVatton, and several brasses are found behmging to them in the church of that village. A Dame Alice Boteler was governess to the infant child Henry VI., son of Henry V., for some years from 1422. Cussans mentions all of the above brasses ; Chauncy notices Nos. I., II., III., and IV. ; and Haines gives Xos. II., lY., and V. only. CHESHUNT. Under altar table. I. — A portion of a triple canopy and two shields, each engraved with a Fleur-de-lys. The efEgies are missing, but inscription remains — " miserere ihu famuli Dixon Nicholai? Cui brevius hospicru tumulus p'stat satis artu^ Istud qui fanu terdenis rexerat annis^ Ad cui fabricam bursas pprias alienas? Solvit t allexit quo crevit in ardua teniplu? Pulchru Cancellu tibi dat pia virgro nonellio^ Du laudaris eo famulo suffragia p'stes^ Cleric hie pipe subthesaurarius vide^ Baro Secii se juste gessit ubiq^ Pacem paupilz dans ctdat divitis itas? Larga man us relevat quos paupies fera pressit^ Anno Milleno C quater his his deca Xpi^ Octavo moriens mutans terres tria celis* Octobris luce terdena transit ad astra* Auxiliare prece qui plegis bee Nicholas^ tut sihe cu Sanctis prestetur vita per hennis^" Haines No. I. says that " Nicholas Dixon was rector for 30 years, a benefactor to the church and re-builder of the chancel. Baron of the Exchequer and Canon of Lincoln, 1448." Chauncy states that he built the church and died in 1448. Cussans says that he built it on the site of an older editice about the year 1420. He held the Manor of Burston, St. Stephens, St. Albaus, in 1436. On floor of aisles. JI. — Figures of a man (in merchant's habit) and his wife, with inscription. The head of the man is gone, and the woman's face is much worn. " Hie jacent Willms Pyke qui obiit xvii die Mens. Februarii Anno DSi Milliuo CCCCXLIX et Elena ux. ejus quor. aibz ppcietur Deus Ame." It does not appear who these people were, but there is the name of John Pyke mentioned as a yeoman of Cheshunt in 1480 in connection with one of the manors. III. — Small brass of a woman kneeling at a desk, and inscription — " Here lyeth bvried the body of Eli zabeath Garnett ye wife of Ed- ward Collen Citizen and freemaso of Londo who dyed y^ 24th daye of Septeber 1609 beinge 33 yeres of age." IV. — Inscription only — " Hie jacet Agnes Luthyngton quondam uxor Johis Luthyngton Armigeri que obiit xxix die Mensis Julii Anno Domini MillTm CCCCLXVIII cuj' Anime ppciet' de' Amen." . V. — Figure of a woman without inscription. Haines No. VIIl. says perhaps it belongs to the following inscription mentioned by Clutterbuck : — " Hie jacet Constantia vere nuper nupta Johani Parre Amigero que obiit decimo die mensis Augusti, anno Domini 1502, cujus anime propicieturdeus. Amen." YI. — Small figure of a woman, much worn, perhaps Joan Clay. Inscription now lost — " Icy gist damoiselle Jehanne Clay qui Trespassa I'an de grace MCCCCLIII le XXII Jour de Octobre jour Saint Melun evesque." Haines also mentions No. V., a female effig)', 1520, loose, which is missing now. Chauncy gives Nos. V. and VI., but says nothing about Nos. II. III. and IV. CLOTHALL. On chancel floor. I. — Brass of an ecclesiastic habited in a cope, on the chancel floor, and an inscription fixed in the south wall of the small chapel, which probably belongs to it — " Of youre charite py for the soule of Master Thomas Dalyson bacheler of lawe and sumtyme parson of this churche and master of the free Chappell or Hospitall of Saint Mary Mawdelene edified & 17 ) situat in this paryshe of Clothalle next Baldok, wliiclie deceased the ixth day of May Au° Dili MCCCCCXLI. On whous Soule Jliesu have mercy." This Thomas Dalyson was instituted as rector in 1519, and the then patron of the living was a George Dalyson. A Thomas Dalison was vicar of Standon in 1486, and resigned the living in 1489 ; and a Roger Dalyson was instituted vicar of the same place in 1536. II- — Ecclesiastic in robes and inscription — " Hie jacitdFis Johes Wynter quod Hector hui' ecclie q obiit V die Mens ffebf A^ dhi Millfno CCCCVII cui' aie ppcietur deu'. A. M.E.N." John Wynter was appninted rector 1368, and was also rector of Bygrave, which living be resigned in the same year. Henry Vyneter was vicar of Ware in 1385, and died 1387, and a Lucas Vynter, gentleman, lived at Ickleford about 1480. III. — Ecclesiastic in robes, holding a large chalice with wafer ; from his mouth issues a scroll with in- scription— " Seta trinitas uni' dens. . . ." part of which is hidden by a pew, and in the left hand corner of the stone is a small engraving in brass of tlie Holy Trinity. Underneath the priest is an inscription — " hie jacet Johis Wryght cllcus indecretis bacalarius collegii sine Aule sancte Trinitatis Cantebr' quondm Magri sine custos ac eciam hui' ecclie de Clothall quondam Eectoris qui obiit xii die Mali A° diii Millilio quiiigentesimo xix. Cujusaie ppicietur Deus. Amen." He was instituted as rector in 1487, and was also vicar of Layston from 1453 to 1469, when he resigned the living. IV. — Ecclesiastic in the costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth, with a scroll issuing from the mouth inscribed — " Christvs mihi vita Mors mihi lucrum," | and inscription under — ■ ! " Ileare under lyeth buried the bodye of William I Lucas Maister of Arte, and sometime parson of this parrish church of Clothall. Which sayde William • lyved nynetie and six yeares, and departed this life the fifteenth daye of Febrvary An° Domini | 1602, and in the five and fortith years of the raigiie of our soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth memento niori Blessed are the dead tliat dye in the Lord." This old rector was instituted to the living in 1568. i The inscription and part only of the figure can now be seen, as the choir stalls cover the remainder (1882). v. — Brass of a woman with a small plate on the left, at the top of the stone, inscribed W.B., and an inscrip- tion — " Virtute nulla possessio maior," and on the right, at the top, one inscribed W.A., with inscription— " Mors est mihi lucrum." Inscription under, which is all that can now be seen — " Here lyeth buryed Anne Bramfield late the wyffe of Willm ■' Brarafeld of Clothall one of the Dawghters of John Byll of ° Asshewell Gentyllman who had yssue betwene them syxtene Chyldren that ys to saye syxe soones and tenne dawghters and Dyed the yth daye of November Anno Dili 1578." In Walkern church is an inscription to the above mentioned "William Bramfeilde " stating that he had two wives, and had issue by his first wife Ann six sons and ten daughters as stated above, and also had five daughters by his second wife Mary; he died in 1596, aged 65, so it is presumed he removed from Clothall when he married his second wife, and took up his abode at Walkern. Cussans gives a long pedigree of the Byll family of Ashwell. Haines, Cussans, and Chauncy all mention Nos. I.-V. COTTERED. On floor of chapel. I. — Inscription — " Hereunder lyeth buried the body of Litton Pulter Esquier sonne and heire of Edward Pulter, Esq who was mariyed to Penelope Capell eldest daughter of Sr Arthur Capel Knight by whom he had issve Margaret, Anne John and Henry : which said Lyttou Departed this life y® xxvi day of June Alio Diii 1608." The Pulter family were inhabitants of this parish, and held the manors of Cottered and Broadfield, and lived at the Manor house, a portion of which only now remains. There are several inscriptions in this church bearing the name of Pulter of various dates, and they seem to have been connected with some of the same name who are buried in Hitchin church according to brass inscriptions there, and also were related by marriage to the Lytton family of Knebworth, and with the Chauncys and others. Arthur Pulter by his will of 1689 gave some money for apprenticing poor children of the parish, and the patronage of the rectory was in the gift of the family from 1613 to 1762. iJaines has no notice of this brass, but Chauncy quotes it in full, and Cussans gives all that now remains of it. DATCHWOETH. l^ear altar rails. I. — A small brass on which is engraved a tree with a serpent entwined round it, and a dove surrounded with rays of glory at the top, and inscription under. " Inclyta qvem natvra dedit qvo provida virt' Nvtritt, Aonii qvem docvere chori : Occidit hie Gvlielmvs Paine, vita), Artis, Amoriu Gloria, raptarvnt mors fera terra polvs Et sic ter felix vixit, ter amabile Icthvm Tam trinis coeli mens satvrata bonis." ( 18 ) A William Payne was rector from 1600 to 1622, wlien he died. Neither Chauncy or Haines mentions this brass. DIGSWELL. On floor of chancel. 1. — A large brass, with figures of a man and woman and a portion of an inscription, and two shields. The man is represented in a complete suit of armour, and was pennon-bearer to Richard II. and master of the horse to Joanne, Queen of England. Ki his feet rests a panther or a leopard. The lady's dress is peculiar ; she wears a long robe with very long sleeves, and has an extraordinary head-dress with her hair elaborately plaited ; at her feet is a hedgehog, and on her collar is the figure of a small swan. Clutterbuck gives the following inscription, hut only a small portion remains : " Hie jacent Johannes Peryeut Arniiger pro corpore Regis Eicardi | Secundi et Penerarius ejusdeni Regis et arraiger regis Henrici quarti | et Armig'etiam Regis Henrici quinti et Magister Equor' Johanne | filie regis Navarr | et Regine Anglie qui obiit et Johanna uxor ejus quondam capitalis Doniicilla .... que obiit xiij Aprilis a' D'ni MCCCCXV." Cussans has an engraving of this fine brass, and states that the knight came to England with Edward the Black Prince. II. — Man in armour, supposed to be John Peryent, Esq. (son of the above). Part of his inscription is missing, but Chauncy gives it thus : — " Hie jacet Johannes Peryent Arraiger Fil | ius Johannis Perient Armigeri qui obiit | ij die Novembr' Anno dFii Millimo (CCCC quadragesimo secundo cujus Aniniae propitietur Deus. Amen)." This inscription is on a different stone to that on which the figure is laid, and the man in armour has an in- scription afiixed at his feet which belongs to another brass. On either side of the head of this knight are the emblems of St. Matthew and St. Luke, and most likely those of the other two evangelists were placed at the feet, but are lost. III. — Man and woman in winding sheets, and two shields and inscription — " Hie jacet Williiis Robert quodra Auditor E'patus Wynton et Joyes ilx' ej" qui quidin Willms obiit die A dmi MCCCG et p'fata Joyes obiit xxvij' die Februarii A" Dmi MCCCCLXXXIIII qr aiabs ppiciet' de'." Cussans says that these two figures represent Thomas Robinson and his wife, whose inscription is at the feet of John Perient, junr., but both Robert and Robinson were related to the Perients. Robert was auditor of the bishopric of Winton, and when his wife died had the shrouded effigies fixed presumably to see how he would look when he should be laid in the grave, and his descendants seem to have omitted the date o1 his decease. The Peryents, or Perients, were lords of the Manor of Digswell for several years, and some of them were elected sheriffs for the counties of Hertford and Essex, and seem to have been of some importance in their time. Cussans (p. 253) gives an ^ elaborate pedigree from 1415 to 1679. They lived at Lockleys, near Welwyn. IV. — A man dressed in civilian costume and his wife, with inscription under and figures of four sons and eight daughters, also two shields at top charged with thfi mercers' arras, and at the bottom one shield with a double headed eagle tliereon, and one with a lion rampant. The inscription reads — " Hie jacet Thomas Hoore nup Civis et Mercerus London et Alicia uxor ejus qui quidin Thomas obiit xx° die Mensis Marcii Anno dni Millimo CCCCLXXXXV° quorum Animabus ppicietur de' ame." From the mouth of the man is a scroll inscribed — " Deus ppicius esto michi peccatori." Part of a scroll only is left from the woman's mouth inscribed — " Sea Trinitas [unus deus miserere nobis."] v. — Figure of a man and his wife with inscription, and four sons and six daughters under — ^ " Of yo' charyte piay for the soules of Roberte Battyll and Margaret his wyfe and "William his sonne Which Robarte decessed ye fyrste day of Novebe A° MV'LVII on whose Soules Jesu have mercy. The foresaid William hade by Johan his Wyfe iiij Sonnes and vj dowghters." Haines says that this inscription does not belong to the figures, but mentions it separately as No. VII. One of the sis daughters named Joan married Thomas Wilshere, of Welwyn, in 1572. and died in 1622. Affabell Battell was rector of Digswell from 1685 to 1687, when he resigned the living, and was succeeded by William Baltell, who died in 1729. Ralph Battell was vicar of All Saints, Hertford, from 1662 to 1701, and Mrs. Mary Battell was sometime organist at the same church, and died in 1698. YI. — Inscription only (see No. III.) — " Hie jacet Thomas Robynson quodam Civis et mercer' London et Maria uxor ei' que obiit xxj die Septebr' A° dni MCCCCLXXXXII q' q'dm Thomas objit die A° dni M°CCCC quor aiabs ppciet' de'. Amen." YII. — Inscription only — " Here sleep two sisters daughters of Sr Alexander Cave Kt Margaret Liv'd and dyed a vertvous maid ; Martha (his xth childe) Was the wife of John Champnes, rector of this church who by Her had issve one sonne & one davgliter Jvstiuian and Mary Obiit hoc par sororii eodera pariter die viz xxix jan An epochoe christianou MDCXXXVII. ( 19 Foelices nimivtn dvlei queis raorte potitis Sancta quies positis coatigit exvvijs lo champ . mem . vxoris dolciss . ejusq . sor . chariss: P.E.P.F." Sir Alexander Cave's wife was Anne, one of the daughters of Sir John Brocket, of Brocket Hall, Hat- iield. Chauncy states that a tomb in the churchyard was erected to the memory of John Charapneys, rector, who died in 1626. ' VIII. — Chauncy and Clutterbuck both mention the following inscription which is not now to be seen : — " Hie jacet Johannes Feld et Margeria uxor ejus qui quidm Johannes obiit xvii die mensis Junii a'o D'ni mill'mo CCCC septuagesimo IIII. et p' fata Margeria obiit xxiii die Decebris A° Dni MCCCCLXXXV quar' a'iabus p'picietur Deus. Amen." Haines notes Nos. I.-VI. ; Chauncy Nos. I.-III. V. ; and Cussans all the above. EASTWICK. I. — Cussans states that "in the chancel is the matrix of a brass to Hubert Lee, and two shields of arms. The brass to his wife remains, and above and below the woman are two shields, both alike, and inscription under" — " Eobert Lee Esquyer his bodie is buryed here Who served wt kynge Edward firste a sewer menie a yeare And after to kynge Philipp and Mary quene of late And last of Quene Elizabeth our Noble Prince in state And of the anncient Bagley howse in Cheshire born was he And in this Tomb with Joan his wife here buried bothe they be And whose good vertues on the earthe and there deserved fame This good remembrance after deth shall still renew the same. Which Eobert died ye 23 day of January 156-1 and the sayd Jone dyed tlie of ." Cussans wrote the above about 1870, and when the church was re -built a few years after nothing was preserved of the brasses except one shield and the last two lines of inscription, which are fixed on the wall of the tower. Haines mentions the wife and inscription, and Chauncy gives the inscription only, and the date of the death of the woman as March 10th, 1595, and states her Christian name was Jane. Salmon says that the plate was a palimpsest with inscription — " pray for the soul of Elinor I'ate wife to John Pate and daughter of of Ilenlcy, the which Elinor deceased • of February the yere of our Lord 1-21 on whose Sowle Jesu have mercy. Amen." yeares. in ESSENDON. I. — A man and woman kneeling at a table, with the figures of nine sons behind tlie man and three daughters at the back of the woman. All the cliildren are kneeling, and two books lie upon the table. Above are one large and two small shields of arms, and underneath is this inscription — " Here lieth buried the bodies of William Tooke late of Popes in the Countie of Hertf Esquier Auditor of the Courte of wardes and liveries and of Ales his wife one of the daughters of Robert Barlee late of Bibhesworthe in the said Countie Esquier, who weare maried togeather LVI yeares and hrtd issue betwen them nyne sonnes and three daughters. And after he had ben officer of the said Courte by the space of xliiij yeares he died the iiij dale of Decerabre, Anno Dili 1588 and in the xxxi yeare of the reigne of Quene Elizabeth when he was of the age of fowerscore And the said Ales died the daie of the yeiire of or Lord - — ." This William Tooke was Lord of the Manor of Essendon in the reign of Edward VI., and his descendants lived at Pope's and in the neighbourhood of Essendon and at Hertford for several generations. A Walter Tooke was rector of Essendon from 1629 till his death in 1642. Pope's was a large mansion, of which only the foundations are now to be seen, on the farm called Pope's Farm, at West End, near Essendon. It was pulled down about tiiirty years ago. The Manor of Bybbysworth is near Kimpton, Herts. II. — Three shields, all similar, with "modern" inscription — " Near this place was buried Henry Courtney, elder son of Henry Marquiss of Exeter, by Gertrude, his second wife daughter of William Blount, Lord Montjoy by Elizabeth his first wife, daughter and co-heir of Sir William Say, of Bedwell Park Knt., which Elizabeth Lady Montjoy was also buried in this church as appears by the will of Lord Montjoy proved February 11, 1535. These Arms were taken from a stone below when this church was repaired 1778. The first quartering is of Henry Marquiss of Exeter, son of William Courtney, Earl of Devonshire, by Katherine seventh daughter of King Edward IV. Second quartering of Courtney ; tlie third of Say ; and fourth of Redvers, Earl of Devon." This Sir William Say was the founder of the " Say ' Chapel at Broxbourn Church, where he was buried in 1529. Henry Courtenay, Marquess of Exeter, was executed in 1539, and his arms and those of Gertrude, his wife, can be seen in the arch of the west door of Essendon Church, which may have been repaired or re-built by him. III.— Arms and crest. The inscription is gone. These arms are those of Ralph Took, a grandson of William Took, whose brass is in this Church (No. I.). Chauncy gives the inscription — " The body of Ralph Took, Eldest Son of Walter ( 20 ) Took, EMest Son of "William Took (all of Pope's in the Parish of Bishop's- Ilattield, Esq.) being aged about 77 years, deceasing the 22tli day of December, 1635, lyeth here interred, expecting an happy Resurrect iou." The arms were found fixed to a stone under the pews when the church was rebuilt in 1883, but the inscription was missing. Walti^r Tooke, the father of Ralph Tooke, married Angelett Woodliffe, whose father held the Manor of Worniley, and at her death it came to the eldest son Ralph Tooke, and as he died without children he gave it to his younger brothers George and Thomas Tooke. Several of this name are buried in Wormley Church, and Walter was patron of that living in 1573 and 1598, Ralph in IGIO, and Ralph and Thomas in 1630. Thomas Tooke in 1670, and Richard Tooke in 1685, left by will a house and land, for the benefit of the poor of Wormley, bringing in an income of about £40 annually. A Mary Tooke, described as a " widdowe," was a freeholder in the borough of Hertford, 1621. Haines mentions Nos. I. and II., but Chauncy notes only No. I., and says that the Manor of Bedwell was granted to Sir William Say by F.dward IV. Chauncy also gives : " On a stone the effigies of a clergyman. The brass is lost." FLAM STEAD. On chancel floor. I. — Ecclesiastic and inscription, canopy and three shields — " Hie jacet magist' Johes Oudeby quondam Rector istius Ecclie & de Baroughby Lincoln dioc et Cauonicus in Ecclia Collegiata be Marie in Warr' ac Camerari' expte Comitis Warr' in Socio dfii Regis qui Obiit vii die nieiTs Marcii Anno dm M°cccc'xiiii (. . • • •)" This priest is dressed in ecclesiastical vestments, and is wearing a cope, and originally had a scroll proceed- ing from his mouth whicli Chauncy says was inscribed — " Miserere miserator quia vere sum peccator Unde precor licet reus miserere mei Deus." The canopy above the head of the figure is_ partly destroyed, and an indent remains on the stone within it which formerly had a brass representing the Trinity. On each side of the canopy are the indents of a shield, and a shield is on either side of the figure bearing the arras of the Earl of Warwick, who was the priest's patron, and at the foot of the figure is a shield showing a chevron between three lapwings. Coussans gives the date of this brass as 1454. This John Oudehy was also rector of Barrowby, in Lincolnshire. A John Oudeby was chamberlain of the royal treasury for the Earl of Warwick, and died in 1454. II.— Man and woman and children. The inscription is gone, and the bras-^es are much worn and seem to date about 1450. The man is dressed in civilian costume, with sleeves trimmed with fur ; his wife has a plain dress and a peculiar iiead dress, and she has a very small neck. Under the figure of the man are the effigies of two boys, and two girls under that of the woman. From each child originally was an inscribed scroll proceeding, but these scrolls are all gone; the shields at each corner of the stone are also missing. Haines mentions both these brasses, which some years ago were disinterred, having been buried a few years previously by orders of the then existing persons in authority. Chauncy does not mentioa No. II. GADDESDEN (GREAT). On chancel floor. I. — Man, woman, three shields, and inscription — " Hie jacent WillTils Croke et Alicia filia Willirii ffaryngton militis uxor dicti WillTHi qui quide prefatus Williiis Croke obiit xxix die mesis Octobris Anno dhi M" quingentesimo sexto . . . ." The man is dressed in a garment trimmed with fur, with a fur collar and cuffs, his hair is long, and lie wears a gypciere. The lady has a plain dress with fur cuffs, and wears a pediraental head dress and a girdle with a long end suspended from a buckle. The three shields bear the arms of Croke and Farington, and one shield is last. The brasses of one son and three daughters are also gone. A lady of the name of Agnes Croke was the prioress of the priory of St. Giles-in-the-Wood, at Flamstead, Herts, in 1523, and held the manor of Woodhali, near Hemel Hempstead. II. — Man and woman. The man has long hair and wears a robe with large sleeves trimmed with fur. The lady has a plain dress with fur cuffs, and an ornamental girdle and pedimental head dress. The inscription is gone, but Haines gives the date as about 1525. This brass was loose in the vestry in 1884. Chauncy does not notice either No. I. or No. II., and Cussans only found No. I., while Haines gives both No. I. and No. II. HADHAM (GREAT). In chancel. I. — Inscription — " Priez pur lalme Alban psone de hadhra." This is all that remains of the inscription, and it is snppiised to refer to Alan de Feu, who was rector of the parish in 1372, Under altar table. II. — Half-length brass of an ecclesiastic in academicals wearing a cap, who was probably one of the rectors of the church about 1420. The in- scription is lost. Oi> floor of nave. III. — Inscription only — " Ilpre lyeth interred the body of Grace Goodman Widowe late in habitant of this towne of ( 21 ) Mvch Hadham in the Covntye of Hartfort Who was formely wife to John Goodman Esqvre by whome she had issve fowr Sons And one davghter she departed this life ye Six and twentieth daye of September Ano Domini 1631 in the five and fiftieth yeare of her age." Perhaps one of her descendants was John Goodman, who was rector from 1674 to 1690. lY. — Inscription — " Joane Guldsmyth the eldest childe of Clement Newce late of Londo Mercer, maryed sviii yeres to FFrauncys Goldsmyth of Craiffd in Kent. Gent, after the blessing of x children at her age of xxxiii wt a mooste assured fayth 'i ardent zeale Deptd this lyfe ye xxii day of Oc- • tober 1569, leaving a cofortable remebrac as well as hir vertuous lyfe as of her costant % godly end, wherefore ye Lorde be praysed." v.— Man in civic costume and h's wife, with in- scription under, and brasses of eight sons and nine daughters. At the top are shields with the arms of the Newce family, and beneath are the arms of the Mercers Company and of the City of London, and also at the top, between the figures, is a barley crest. " Here Resteth the boddyes of Clemeutt Newce of Muche Hadham in the Counttye of Hertford esquier somtyraes Cyttezin and Mercer of London who left this mortall lyfe the xxvii daye of Septemb^ in y'' yeare of our Lord 1579, And Mary his wyfe who also left her lyfe y^ xitb August in y'' yeare of our Lord 1582. Whose soules resteth With God. wch Clementt 1 Mary had betwene them viii sonnes ^t ix daughters." One of these nine daughters, named Sarah, married a William Moore, of Great Hadham, and the eldest daughter, Joane, was married to a Mr. Goldsmythe (as above), and one of the sons, Samuel, married into the Gyll family, of Wydial. A daughter, who is described as Mary Hales, widow, probably a grand-daughter of Clement Newce, sen., bequeathed by will, dated 1720, £700 for the use of the poor of the parish. Thomas Newce, Esq., was a sheriff of the county in 1616. VI. — A man in civic costume between two wives, with inscription under, and six sons and seven daughters, with arms at the top and bottom corners, and also at the top a barley crest. " Here lyeth the body of William Newce late of Mvchadham in the Covnty of Hartford Esq, Who in his 1) fe tyme had two wy ves and by the former wife had six sonnes and seaven daughters and left this life the xxii of Febrvary 1010, whose sovle is at rest with the Lord through the merritts of ovr blessed Saviour Jesvs Christ." He was probably a son of Clement Newce (No. V.), and appears to have had no children by his second wife. VII. — Inscription — " Here lyeth Dianis Bvrtvn widow the eldest davghter of John Knitvn Esqr of Baford in Harfordshere leaving issve Marie Ladie Stanley of Patmore Hall in the same covnty Deceased the 4 daye of Febrvary Ano Doni 1616." There are some brasses belonging to the Knighton family in Bayford Church. VIII. — One of the oldest memorials in Great Hadham Church is a stone which has tliis inscription — " Hie jacet Simon Flambard quondam rector huius eclesie," and it has upon it an indent of a brass cross with a thin stem and a lion at the foot. Simon Flambard was rector in 1331, but Boutell says the period was not; later than 1280. Haines states No. I. " a civilian and wife about 1520. Inscription lost." This brass is either missing or covered over by pews. Chauncy notes Nos. I. and III. only, and Haines gives Nos. I. all of them. II., IV., v., VI., and Cussans mentions HADHAM (LITTLE). On floor of nave. I. — Small brass of an ecclesiastic, and inscription — " Here lyeth buried the body of ... . This is very much defaced, and Haines (No. I.) describes it as belonging to ' ' Rich. Waren parson of Great Hadham about U70 in cope. Much worn." Cussans says the name is probably " Henry Mard," who was perhaps a former curate of this chapel, but neither of the names appear in the list of rectors of Great Hadham, with which living it was united. II. — Man in armour with dog at his feet, and wife and four daughters. The inscription is gone, but is given by Chauncy and Clutterbuck. Haines says about 1485. " Hie jacent Thomas Bawd filius Will'mi Bawd milit _ qui quidem Thomas obiit xxiii die Augusti Anno D'ni MCCCCXXX et Maria uxor dicti Thome obiit xv die Mensis Augusti Anno D'ni MCCCCXXIII." Clutterbuck and Chauncy also give an inscription, which is missing — " Hie jacet Will'mus Baud filius Will' Baud militis qui obiit iiij die Februarii A° D'ni 1420, cujus aio ppicietur Dens." The family of the Bauds held the Manor of Hadham Hall before 1270 to about 1505, when a Sir Thomas Baud sold it to Lord D'Arcy, who sold it to Sir Wm. Capel, from whom it descended to the present Earl of Essex. 00 ) HARPEXDEX. On east wall of north transept. I. — Man, wife, and inscription — " Hie jacent "Willms Anabull et Isabella uxor ejus qui quideni Willms obiit iiij° mens Octobris Anno dui Millmo CCCC'lvj^ [ ]" These ilgures are very much worn and the features can hardly be distinguished; they are wearing plain dresses, and the man has a dog at his feet. The inscription has had the conchiding words torn off. The family of Annabull lived at the Manor House, about 2^ miles distant from Harpenden, and William Annabull held the manor of that name (which was also called Kynnesbourne) in 142.5 until about 1473, when it was disposed of. The coffins containing the bodies of William and Isabella Annabull were found in the vault under the chancel when the church was restored in 1862. 0)1 nave floor. II. — SmaU figures of a man and wife, with an achievement and two shields and inscription — " Here under lyeth buryed ye body of Willm Cressye Esquyer wch Deceassed ye 24 daye of Octobre in ye ffyrst yere of Queue Elizabeth. Grace Johnso his wyfe Dyed ye 14 daye of February 1571 and was one of the Dowghters of Robt. Darkenall of Pensharste in ye couutie of Kente." The man and his wife are each kneeling at a desk with an open book thereon ; the former is habited in a long robe trimmed with fur, and the lady wears the dress of the_ early Elizabethan period. The achievement, of which Cussans gives an engraving, shows the arms of Cressye, &c., as also does the shield at the head of the man, and over the head of the lady is a plain lozenge. The Manor House of Rothanistead, near Harpenden, was formerly the abode of the Cressy's, and Matthew Cressy owned it about 1456, and was married to one of the Perients of Digs well, whose brasses are found in the church of that place. Haines, Chauncy, and Cussans all mention these two brasses, and Chauncy gives an inscription to Matthew Cressy and his wife, 1478. Several stones in the church show the indents of brasses. On wall of north transept. III. — Inscription — " In a vault beneath are interred the remains of Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., of Rothamsted ; also those of his family and descendants, his ancestors having left Flanders, their native country, for the sake of their faith, a.d. 1564. Mary, late wife of Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., and daughter of Sir Thomas Middleton, Bart., of Chirk Castle, co. Denbigh, died April 4th, 1639. Jacob, son of Sir John Wittewronge, died March 7th, 1645. Anne, widow of Jacob Wittewronge, died Xov. 1st, 1648. Elizabeth, second wife of Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., and daughter of Timothy Middleton, of Stanstead Hall. Essex, died October 6th, 1649. Elizabeth, late wife of James Witte- Avronge, Esq., and daughter of Robert Dickerson, of Hillingdon, Esquire, died Sept. 20th, 1685. Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., of Rothamsted and Stantoubury, Bucks, died June 23id, 1693. James Wittewronge, of Rothamsted, Esquire, died Sept. 28th, 1748. Thomas Wittewronge, of Rotham- sted, Esquire, died June 14th, 1763. John Bennet, of Rothamsted, Esq., great grandson of Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., died December 10th, 1783. Thomas Lawes, Esq., died December 16th, 1789. Sarah, widow of John Bennet, of Rothamsted, Esq., died May 7th, 1801. Mary, widow of Thomas Lawes, Esquire, daughter of Thomas Bennet, Esquire, and great granddaughter of Sir John Wittewronge, Bart., died December 11th, 1816. John Bennet Lawes, of Rothamsted, Esq., died October 2oth, 1822. Marianne Lawes, widow of John Bennet Lawes, died October 28th, 1875, in her 86th year." Her remains are interred in the churchyard. The vault having been closed, a marble cross has been erected. IV. — Brass in memory of Gerard Wolfe Lydekker, M.A., of Harpenden Lodge, in this parish. Esquire, barrister-at-law, J. P. for the counties of Hertford and Bedford, and Deputy-Chairman of Quarter Sessions for West Herts, born at Rochester, July 10th, 1811, died at the Lodge, February r2th, 1851. His remains lie in the family vault in the churchyard of St. Peter's, St. Albans. HATFIELD. On pier of arch ficar chapel. I. — Arms of Onslow and inscription under — " Here lyeth buryed ffulke Onslowe gentleman (of the progeny of Onslowesof Onslowe in ye counfye Of Salop) and Mary his wyfe wch Mary fynnyshed her course of this mortall lyfe upon Monday beying the viiith daye of October in the yere of our Lord God 1582. And the said ffulke up- on Sunday beyinge the viiitli day of Aug. 1602." On floor under tower. II. — Two shields at the bottom and one at the left corner at the top, with the arms of Onslow and inscrip- tion in the middle. The one shield and figure of a man are missing from the stone. " Fulco Onslowe armiger nvper suinee curiae Parliamenti pronotarivs divtvrno langvesceus Morbo 6° idvvm Avgsti ano reparatte salvtis 1602 feta- lis svfc 88° indvmentvm hoc mortale homo in mortalem animam Deo intima charitatvm vis- cera amicis commendavit & cvi posvere Hoc Monvmentvm memoriae & amoris ergo Conjvnctissimvs familiaritate consan- gvinevs ejvs Reginaldvs Scriven & Cha- rissima conjvx Eiizabetha." Cussans states that the advowson of the rectory of Hatfield was conveyed to a Richard Onslowe, Esq., in 1563, and his son Edward sold it in 1607. The Manor ( ) of Astwick, near Hatfield, came into the possession of Baron Onslowe through his wife; he dying in 1717 it descended to his son, the second baron, who soon afterwards sold it. The first inscription denotes the day of the week upon which both Ffulke Onslowe and his wife died. Cussans mentions both Nos. I. and II. ; Chauncy records No. II. only ; and Haines omits both. HEMEL HEMPSTEAD. On ivall of south aisle. I. — Man and wife, two shields, and inscription — " Roberd Albyn gist icy, et Mergr[ete sa femme] oneke ly Deu de lez aim' eyt m[ercy Amen."] The words in brackets are missing, but were to be seen when Chauncy wrote his history in 1700. These brasses are well preserved. The man is habited in a complete suit of armour, he wears a bascinet, and his sword is suspended from a belt girded horizontally across the hips, and hangs behind the figure, and his feet are resting upon a wolf. The lady has an elaborate head dress of the style of the latter part of the four- teenth century, her dress is plain, and over it she wears a long cloak fastened at the shoulders with cords and tassels. At her feet is a dog with collar and bells. Her head is resting on a cushion with tassels. One shield is fixed above the head of the male figure bearing three lapwings on a bend, and another shield over the lady charged with the arms of Alvyn or Alban. The inscription is in Xorman-French, but no date is mentioned upon it. Haines gives an engraving of the man,''and states the date about 1100. Boutell engraves the upper portion of the male figure, showing the bascinet, and says the date is a.d. 1360. Clutterbuck, in his history, has a full page engraving of the whole of the brasses, taken in 1815. Chauncy gives the inscription as perfect, and says the brasses were " fixed upon a fair tomb," but they are now on the wall of the church. Henry of Albin and his son Robert of Albin are mentioned by Chauncy in connection with the Manor of Sopwell, St. Albans, about 1140. In Great Hadham Church, Herts, is a Xorman-French inscription to a " parson " of that place of the name of Alban, about 1372. HERTFORD.— All Saints. Onjlo.or of south aisle. I. — Indent of a brass to the chief cook of Queen Catharine, daughter of Charles VI. of France and wife of Henry V. Inscription only now remains — " Icy gyst Maistre Jehu Hunger escuyer jadix Maistrs Queux de la Royne Katheryne lequel trespasea le xnae jo' doctobre I'an de gee MCCCCXXXV. dont dieux ait I'arae." Queen Catherine lived at Hertford Castle, which was a place of some note at that period. On floor of nave. II. — Inscription only — " Orate paTa Thome Boole qui obiit xxvi die Aprilis Anno dni Mill'o CCCCLVI cui aTe ppciet deus amen." _ Haines makes a note of No. I. of these two inscrip- tions, and Chauncy omits to mention them, but gives one as under — " Hie jacet Johannes Prest quondam Janitor Hospitii Katheriuie nuper Reginse Anglia3 " and he adds: "This Prest was Porter to Katherine, Queen of England, who was the only wife of that Invincible Conqueror of France, Henry V., Daughter of Charles, the Son of Charles aforesaid. King of France." And he also mentions other inscriptions formerly existing in the church, but now missing. In Weever's " Funeral Monuments " they are given. " Of your Cheritye prayeth to God and Alhalwin hertely For Syr John Chappilaine, somtym of dis plas Vicary Almighty Jesu resscue his Sowl to grase and mercy." John Chapelyn was appointed vicar in 1409. " Icy gist Isabele Xewraarch jadis Daraosele a tres noble Dame Isabele Roigne d'Engleterre." This Isabel Newmarch, or De Novo Marcato (a name of great reputation in the reign of King Henry III.), was maid of honour to that Isabel, Queen of England, who was second wife to Richard II. and daughter of Charles VI., King of France. " Hie jacet Ludovicus Baysbury, capell. Henrici sexti ac Prehend, ecclesiae Cathedral Lincoln. — MCCCCXXVIII." " Here lyeth under this ston William Wake And by him Joane his wife and make Sometym yeman of John Due of Bedford's hors And lat Survayor with King Henry Sixt he was Gentylman mad he was at the holy grav On ywos sowls Almighty God mercy have." The above mostly refer to servants employed by various members of the Royal Family of the period, who occasionally occupied Hertford Castle. All Saints' Church has been " repaired and beauti- fied," enlarged and altered so many times that all the above inscriptions, except Nos. I. and II. and various brass figures, have disappeared. St. Andrew. I.— Inscription — " Here lyeth bvried the Body of Bridget Whitgifte late wife of Robert CollTgwood, one of ye Sonnes of Sr Cvthbert Collingwood Knight. She deceased ye last of Febrvary, 1610." Cussans adds the words "of Canterbury" after the name of Bridget Whitgifte, but Chauncy gives the inscription without them, and tliey are certainly not on the brass. Haines does not mention the brass, and Turnor, in bis " History of Hertford," quotes it from Chauncy and Salmon, and it seems that after Chauncy copied the inscription the plate by some means was buried, and was found about two feet below the surface when the church was rebuilt in 11J78, and it is now fixed in the middle aisle. 24 ) HEIITIXGFOIIDBURY. On floor of chancel. I. — Inscription only — <' Phelip 1 Isabel filles a Robert dfi Loutlie giset icy Dieu de lu almes eit m'cy." Clutterbuck and Chaiincy add the following inscrip- tion, of which only the matrix remains and also of a shield — " Robert de Lowthe et Johane sa feme gisent icy Dieu de ses aimes eut mercy." At Tewin is an inscription on an old stone to a "Walter de Louthe, who was rector there from 1312 to 1356. The Manor of Ludwyk, near Hatfield, belonged to the family in 1329, and Roger de Luda, or Louth, represented the county in Parliament from 1336 to 1352, and a Robert was living at Hertingfordbury about 1-180. Roger de Louth was M.P. for Herts in 1353, and Robert de Louth also in 1383 and 1384. XL — Inscription and two shields — " Here vnder this stone lye bvried the bodyes of Thomas Ellis Gentleman (Sonne of Stephen Ellis of Kennyngton in the Covutye of Kent Gentleman) and Grace his wife (daughter of Owen Hawkins Cittizen & Mercer of London) who lived togea- ther man & wife xlix yeares & 7 monethes and odd dayes and had issve betwixt them one Sonne onlye named Fravncis (which lived but three weekes & tliree dayes after his birth) the aforesaide Thomas departed this life the iiiith day of Febrvary 1608, and the saide Grace afterwards departed this life, the 23 day of March An° Diii 1612." Cussans says that Grace Ellis, widow, by will dated 20th February, 1613, left £2 annually to the poor of the parish, and Chauncy adds, "upon the Anniversary Day of her Burial for ever." Haines has no mention of the above No. II., which is interesting from the mention of the duration of married life, the happy pair having lived together for nearly fifty years, and in a few more months would have been able to celebrate their golden wedding. HINXWORTH. On south Kail of chancel. I. — Man and wife. The man wears a plain dress and has a rosary at his waist ; his hair is cut short, and he appears to be a civilian of the 15th century. The lady IS also plainly attired in a dress trimmed with fur, and has a kerchief falling over her shoulders from the back of her head. The inscription is gone, but Chauncy gives it as — " Orate pro . . . Simonis "Ward & Elenaj uxoris 8ua3 qui quidem Simon obiit ii Decemb. 1453 & Elena obiit 21 Aug 1481. Quorum " A Jokii "Ward was Lord Mayor of London in 1484, and held the Manor of Pullers in the parish of Hinx- worth. Chauncy says he put a new roof to the church, and his coat of arms is engraved in wood, and that the manor was sold at his death to John Lambard (Brass No. II.). On floor of nave. II. — Man, wife, children, shields and scrolls. These figures are very fine, and the whole forms a splendid group. The man is dressed in the robes of an alderman, elaborately trimmed with fur ; he has a girdle fastened round the waist by a buckle, from which is suspended a gypciere and a rosary ; his hair is cut short. The brass of this figure, and also that of the lady, is remarkably well preserved. The lady wears a plain dress trimmed with fur, with an ornamented girdle suspended from her waist ; her neck is bare ; her waist is small, and her arms are particularly slender, with fur cuffs on her bands; her hair is brushed off her forehead, and she wears a wired or butterfly bead-dress similar to Lady Say on a brass in Broxbourne Church. At the feet of the figure of the man are small figures of four sons, three of whom are of nearly equal size and similar costume, and one of them wears a gypciere ; the other son is shown of a larger size, and is dressed in the robes of a priest, and who probably was the eldest son. Under the feet of the lady is a small figure of a girl with long hair hanging down her back below her waist and dressed similar to her mother, and also a larger figure of a female, probably the eldest daughter, who wears a dress trimmed with fur, laced up the front ; she also has cuffs, and wears a necklace and a peculiar head-dress with cap. From the mouth of the figure of the man proceeds a scroll, inscribed—" In [Manus tuus Domiue] commendo Spfn meii et c' &," and from that of the lady inscribed " Credo videre bona din in terra Yiventium." Above the figures are three shields, one of which bears the arms of Saint Alban, another one is much worn and undistinguishable, and the middle one has upon it the arms of the Mercers Company. At the bottom are also three shields bearing arms, probably of the man and his wife, and the middle one has the trade mark of a merchant. The inscription is gone, but is. given by Chauncy as — " Orate pro animabus Johannis Lambard Civis & Merceri ac Aldermanni London qui obiit 1487 & Annaj uxoris suiie que obiit Quorum Anime per misericordiam Dei in pace eterna requiescant. Amen." John Lambard was owner of the manor of Pulters, and Chauncy states he was master of the Mercers' Company of London, and one of the aldermen of that city. His son Thomas Lambard succeeded him in the manor. His name is given as Thomas Lambert, gent., as possessing land at flinxworth in 1545. John Lam- barde was sheriff of the City of London in 1460. Stow, in his " Survey of London," says that " John Lam- berde, draper, alderman, one of the sheriffs of London, who deceased 1554, and was father to AVilliam Lam- ( 25 ) barde, Esquire, well known by sundry learned books that he hath published, has a monument to his memory in St. Michael's Church, Wood Street." The wills of John Lambard and liis wife, represented by the brasses, are at Somerset House. On floor of chancel. III. — Inscription only — " Here lyeth buried the body of Andre we Gray of Hinxworth in y^ County of Hartfd Esqr., in his lyfe time he was double reader of y® lawe in y^ Inner Temple in London he chaung'd this lyfe for immortallitie y^ 13th day of Janvary Aho Dfii 1614 ^tatis Sva3 85." This Mr. Gray, whose Christian name is given by Chauncy as well as Cussans as " Jolin," also possessed the manor of Pulters, having purchased it of Thomas Lambard. Chauncy mentions all these three brasses ; Haines gives No. II. only; while Cussans gives No. I., and totally ignores the existence of Nos. II. and III. HITCHIN. On floor of chancel. I. — Ecclesiastic in cope, elaborately adorned, and having the sacred monogram on the breast ; at the top left-hand corner is a representation of a heart with five drops issuing from it, and on the right another heart is missing, and also two shields at the bottom. The inscription is gone, which is given by Chauncy — *' Hie jacet Jacobus Hert in Theologia Baccalaureus, ac Vicarius hvjus Ecclesiae, qui obiit 23 Jan. 1498." Boutell has an illustration of this brass, and gives the date as about 1400. Haines says it represents James Hert, B.D., who was vicar and died in 1498, and notices the two hearts as a rebus upon his name. II. — Man and wife, four sons, six daughters, and inscription — " hie jacent qudiia marcatoris Stapule Ville Calesie, qui obiit xix die mens? Apri]isA'=DniM°CCCC°LIP Et paie Alicie ux^ei^q^ obiit die A° Dili M=CCCC° " There is nothing to show the name of the man to whose memory his widow fixed this brass, leaving the dates to be filled in when it came to her turn to depart this life, but her children evidently forgot to have it done. The arms of the Staple of Calais are found in various parts of the church, and Cussans says it was probably built in the early part of the loth century by the merchants of the Staple then living at Hitchin. On altar tombs. III. — A man and wife. The man is dressed as a civilian, the wife wears gauntlets, and both the figures are shown with the hands touching at the tips of the fingers. The inscription is lost, but Haines (No. IX.) gives the date about 1.53i». The figures of four sons and four daughters remain. The lady wears a sash passed through three rings. IV. — A man and his wife, both dressed in shrouds, with one shield at the top, and three sons and five daughters at the bottom. The inscription is gone, but Haines saj's the date (Xo. YII.) is 1490. Perhaps Thomas Abbot and wife, 1493. On floor of nave, V. — A man in loose robes and his three wives, all alike in appearance and dresses with the exception of one wife to the left of the man, who has a different shaped girdle on. There is no inscription to show who the worthy man was who was so fond of matrimony, but perhaps the date is about the middle of the 16th century. No mention is made of this brass by either Haines, Chauncy, or Cussans. Similar ones are at Offley. On floor under toiver. YI. — A lady, about loth century, with face very indistinct. No inscription remaining. Not mentioned by Haines. VII. — Shield with Inscription under — " Here lyeth John Pulter Esquier late of Hitchin who deceased about the xxit Daye of June An^ 1485." It does not seem quite certain that the day of the month is given correctly. Haines says that this was engraved about 1550. 1)1 chancel aisle. VIII. — Inscription — " Here lyeth Williiil Pulter Esquire late of Hit- chin who dyed y*^ 23 daye of Maye Anno 1549, % ye thirde yeare of Edward y" Sixte." The Pulter family were Lords of a Manor at Hitchin called Moremead, and it was sold by Edward Pulter in 1582. Edward Pulter was a copyholder in 1608 and in 1625, and an Edward Pulter was one of the gentlemen of the county who was compelled to lend £10 to Iving Charles I. Several of the family are buried at Cottered in this county, where they lived. Under tower. IX. — Man and wife with features very indistinct ; no inscription ; probably dated about 1480 to 1530. Under chancel arch. X. — Man and woman in winding sheets, with four sons and four daughters. Cussans gives an engraving of the two figures, and says that probably they are those to whom the following inscription belongs, which is now missing, but is quoted by Chauncy — " Orate pro aniraabus Richardi Edmunds fabri istius Villaj, et Johannis Web, et Mnrgaretta uxoriseoruni quidem Ricardusobiitpriniodie Octobris Anno 1472. Quoram animabus propitietur Deus." Near screen. XI. — Feet of a man and figure of a woman, very much worn, and inscription under nearly illegible — "Hie jacet Johes Pulter draper qui obiit xxv die Fcbruarii Anno Dni MilloCCCCXXI. Et Lucia Pulter uxor ejus qui . . hris Anno Dfii Millo CCCCXX " The above describes the man's trade, and the name of Pulter is repeated after the wife's Christian name. ( 26 ) In south aisle. XII. — Inscription — " Here lyethe tlie Bodye of John Parker late of Lewes in the Counlie of Sussex Gentleman who deceassed the thirtith daye of September Anno domini 1578 Annoq etatis suce XLYIII." The matrix of the effigy is remaining on the stone. A Eobert Parker was patron of tlie living of Hexton, near Hitchin, in 1598, and he is described as being a copyholder of the manor of " Hutchen" in 1608. Near screen. XIII. — Man and wife, dressed alike. The man has his hair cut very short, or wears a fur skull cap. His outer garment is trimmed wilh fur at the neck, wrist- bands and bottom, and he has an under-garment of fur, as seen by an opening above his feet, showing him to have been a wealthy merchant. The wife has a heart-shaped head-dress, with handkerchief falling over her shoulders. The inscription is missing, but there are the initials " T. A.," or " J. A.," carved on the side of the altar-tomb, and Chaimcy gives the following : — " Hie jacent Thomas Abbot de Hitchen Merceras et Johanna Uxor ejus qui quidem Johannes obiit ultimo die Januarii Anno Dom. 1481. qui ninlta dona contulit huic Ecclesiffi et Fraternitati Nativitatis Beata3 Marife Virginis ejusdem Ecclesia3." " Hie jacet Thomas Abbot qui quidem Thomas erat Filius Thoma3 Abbot sen. et predictus Thomas obiit 16 Mail 1493 et dicta die Mensis 1400 ." This latter inscription probably belongs to No. IV. XIV. — Woman, with feet broken off. She has very long hair, naked arms and legs, and is wearing a shroud tifed above her hair and fastened in front with a wooden pin. There is no inscription remaining. XV. — Woman in shroud. Cussans omits Nos. V., VI., IX., and XII., and Chauncy III.,IV., v., VI., IX., and XII. Haines omits v., VI., and IX., and adds (No. IV. of which Cussans gives inscription quoted from Salmon) — " Hie jacet Johannes Beel et Margeria ux. ejus quae Marg. oh. iv May MCCCCr^XXVII et Johan 14 . . ." The woman, No. XV., may be this Margery Beel. The brass of her husband and inscription are gone. Haines (No. VI.) also adds (given by Cussans as formerly existing) — "... pora Nicholai Mattok M'catoris Stapule villas calesie ac Civis t Piscenarii Civitat London ac bone t landabilis Generose Elizabeth uxoris sute q' quidem Nich'us obiit . . . die mens' . . . A°DiiiMCCCG . . . Et dicta Elizabeth obiit vicesimo sexto die Mensis Septebris A° Dhi MCCCCLXXV° " Haines also gives an engraving of a brass, formerly in this church, having a hawk at tlie feet of a priest and a spear, representing Dr. Jobn Sperehawke, who was vicar in 14-53. Nothing now is seen but the matrices of the figure and of two hearts at the top with scrolls over them. Cussans gives several inscriptions that at one time were to be seen, and Haines says that the church must have been formerly paved with brasses, as there evidently were such a large number. HUNSDON. I. — A man with huntsman's horn hanging on one side and a sword on the other. He is shown on the brass as shooting at a stag with a cross-bow, and the figure of Death, as a skeleton, is striking a dart into the man and also one into the stag. A scroll issues from Death's head inscribed " Sic Pergo." The figures probably denote that the man lost his life while he was pursuing his occupation of hunting. The inscription under states — " Beloved of all whilst he had Lyfe Vnmoened of none when he did die James Gray interred of his wife Neer to this Deaths-Signe Brasse doth lie Yeares tliirtie-fyve in good renowne Parke and housekeper in this towne Obiit 12 die Decembris A° Dni 1591 .^tatis sve 69." Chauncy has no mention of this curious brass ; Haines notices it, and Cussans has an engraving of it ; and an engraving and description of it can be found in the GentleiJiati's Magazine ior 1795. Boutell also has an engraving. II. — Figure of a female and inscription — " Hie jacet Margareta Shelley nup ux Johannis Shelley nup. civis & Merceri london, que ol)iit xxvii° die mensis Marcij. A° dni MTCCCLXXXXV cui' aie ppiciet dens." The lady is clothed in a shroud, with her hair hanging over her shoulders. The knot at the top of her head and also at her feet is gone. From her mouth proceeds a scroll, part of which is missing, inscribed — " spiritus m." There formerly was a shield and also a representation of the Holy Trinity, but these are both gone. John Shelley is stated by Chauncy to have been a witness to a deed referring to the Manor of Hunsdon in 1476, and also Thomas Shelley. Nicholas Shelley was a burgess of the borough of Hertford in 1554, and William Shelley was living in the parish of Cheshunt in 1520. III. — Inscription only — " hie jacet Willm? Gray primogenit henrici* Gray, militis et Anne consortis sue qui obiit vii° die Augusti Anno dni M°Vc XVII° cuius aie ppicietur dens. Amen." This William Gray was probably an ancestor of James Gray mehtioned in No. I. Nos. I. and II. are noted by Haines, and I., II., and III. by Cussans, but Chauncy only mentions No. II. IC^LEFORD. On nave floor. I. — Man, woman, and inscription — " Hie jacent Thomas Somer^: Mariona Uxor ejus que Mariona obiit t' cio Nonar Januar quor^ aiabz ppciet dJ." ( 27 ) The figures are half-length, and the man is placed on the right side of the woman ; he has a plain dress, his hair is short, and he has a moustache and beard with two points. The lady is plainly dressed, has a kerchief on her head falling on to her shoulders, and wears cuffs with buttons. The last four words of the inscription are slightly defaced. The 3rd of January is stated, but the date of the year has not been given. Chauncy does not mention this brass, Cussans notices it, and Haines gives the date as about 1400. IPPOLLITTS. On chancel wall. I.— Man, woman, children, and inscription — " Here lyeth buryed the bodye of Alice Hughes late Wyfe to Ryce Hughes Cytyzen and Haberdasher of London by whome she had Issue one sonne Tb two dau ghters all deceased and lye buryed lykewys in this ch urch at ye Chauncell dore shee beyng ye daughter of Tho- mas Bybsworth, an ancient Dweller in this parryshe. Shee dyed y« xvith of August 1594, being of age xxix yers. Her bodie and bones y® ground doth possesse Her sowle to Heaven is gone for redresse "Who livinge in lyfe did dy unto sinne And djinge by Deathe to lyve did begynne." The figures are kneeling each side of a table on which are two open books with clasps. The man wears a cloak and a ruff, has knee breeches and low shoes, and his hair is short ; his wife has a plain dress with girdle and rufi", and wears a hat with round top, similar to those worn by men at the present day. Behind the roan a small boy is kneeling, wearing a plain dress and ruff, and at the back of the lady are her two daughters, plainly dressed alike, wearing ruffs and caps. According to the inscription the lady was buried with her children near the chancel door, and was the daughter of Thomas Bybsworth, whose family were connected with the parish of Kimpton. On floor of north aisle. II. — Inscription — " Hic jacet Robert? Poydres % Alicia ux ej . . . Anno dhi Millirao CCCC piimo . . . ." This inscription is mutilated, and is noticed by Cussans, who says that in 1381 Robert Poydras, with others, held an inquisition at Codicote on 12th October. Chauncy mentions Xo. I., Haines and Cussans Xos. I. and II. KELSHALL. On floor of nave. I.— Man and wife, both of them wearing a girdle and having long hanging sleeves. The brasses are much worn. The man's hair seems to be out close, and the woman has a kerchief over her head hanging down in folds over her shoulders. Inscription under — " Her lyth the bones of Rychard Adane % Maryon his Wyff : God g'ant Ther soules ev'lastyng lyff. The which Rychard dyed In ye yer of our Lord MCCCC The which Rychard Adane as y. now say, Leyd here hys ston in hys lyff day. The yer of our Lord was yan trulie M.CCCC fyve t thyrtty : Man yt behoveth ofte to have in mynde, that you gevest wt one honde yat shalt you fynde, for women ben slowful \ chyldren bey unkynde, Executors bey coveytous % kepe all yt. yey fymle ; For our bothe soules unto ye t' nyte seyeth a [pat'nt] for charite." Mr. Richard Adane evidently had a very poor opinion of his wife and family and executors, who seem to have proved that his judgment was somewhat correct by neglecting to complete the history of his life by not recording the date of his death upon the brass, which he was so careful to have laid down during his life- time. Haines (p. 180) gives the above inscription in full, and Chauncy also mentions it. An inscription, which is supposed to have been taken from this church, is mentioned by Chauncy as being upon a chimney-piece in the house of " Mr. Fordham, of this town," and Cussans says it is now in the possession of Mr. John Fordham, of Royston. " Of yor charite pray for the souU of John For- dhm Eleu % Johaii his wyfes whyche John decessed the vi dny of Marche tlie yere or lo rd god MV°XXVJ on wos souUs ihu have ..." The Fordhams are an old and extensive family of the neighbourhood, and Cussans gives an elaborate pedigree relating to them, commencing with the above John Fordham and extending to the year 1869. KIMPTOX. On floor of chancel. I._Alady. Inscription gone. The figure is habited in a long robe with large sleeves, and has a high waist. The hair hangs over her shoulders as far as the elbows, and is confined around her brows by a broad band, which is ornamented with three jewelled studs ; she has a similar band around the waist, and a small dog, with collar and bells, is at her feet. Cussans says the date of the costume is about 1450. Haines has no notice of this brass, but Chauncy says that "there is a gravestone which has the name of Margaret Bibbysworth inscribed upon it," so tliat it may belong to one of this family, who owned the Manor of Great Bibbesworth, the last male representative of which died without issue in 1485. A daughter of Thomas Bybsworth has a brass to her memory in the church at Ippollitts. KING'S LANGLEY. On floor of north chancel aide. L— Man and "two wives, children, and inscription— <' Here lyeth the body of lohn Carter late of Gifres, who had 2 wives, by the first he had issue ( 28 ) 4 sonnes & 5 daughters, & by ye second lie had issue 5 sofies & 4- daughters, he was buried ye 9 of August, 1588." The man and wives are represented as standing on footstools ; the former is wearing a large cloak and is bare-headed, and the two wives are dressed in the costume of the time of Elizabeth ; the children are all dressed in the same old-fashioned style, and each wife has a separate brass for her family. An Edward Carter was vicar of this parish from 1670 to 1687, and the name is frequently mentioned in the registers. On floor of south chancel aisle. II- — Female, wearing a brocaded petticoat and a kerchief on her head falling in folds on her shoulders, of about the year 1600. II.* — Female, wearing a head-dress and girdle, of the date of about 1500. Somewhat defaced. On floor between chancel and south aisle. III.— Inscription — " Pray for the soule of Jo Marsworth Citezen and Bowrer of London which Johan de ' . . . in ye yere our lord god MCCCCLxsxvii." And on the back is inscribed — " Willy 111 Carter and Alys his Wyfe the ■whych Willym decessed the ij of Apryll yn the yere of or Lord MYxxviii " The brass of female Xo. IL* may represent the above Alice Carter, and the removal of objectionable phrases from the inscription has destroyed a portion of that of the palimpsest. lY. — Inscription — " Here lyeth interred the corps of John Cheney Gent, who departed this life in the trve faith of Christ Jesvs the first day of Febrvary Anno Dili 1.597." Clutterbuck gives a long inscription, which he says is under the effigies of a lady in brass, and is to the memory of Margaret Cheyney, who died 30th January, 1578. She was the wife of John Cheyney (Xo. IV.), and perhaps the brass of a lady (Xo. II.) belongs to her. This inscription is not to be seen. Haines mentions that a drawing of a brass to Margaret Cheyney, with five children, is in the British Museum. The Cheyney family were of considerable note in the neighbourhood, and mention is made of them at Aldenham as early as 1296. Thomas Cheyne was a copyholder in Xorthchurch in 1431, Henry Cheyney lord of the Manor of Gaddesden in 1574, Francis of the Manor of "Wiggington in 1620 and Tring in 1650, and a Robert was rector of Puttenham from 1663 to 1672, and Elizabeth, wife of Francis, died in 1620 and was buried at King's Langley. Clutterbuck and Chauncy give the inscription thus — " Loe here's interred a wife of worthy fame Whose vertues great and honest life deserve the same Margaret was her name by marriage Cheyney bight Late wife to Cheyney son to Chesham Boys by right Here due descent from Skipwith's line late of St. Albans town. And married to that Cheyney's heir a house of old renown Full ten years she in marriage spent five children was her share The Heavens have two of the five, three left to father's care Her life so good, her death not ill I hope shall not deny •But that her soul in Jesus Christ shall live eternally. 30 January 1578, secundum computationem Ecclesiae Anglicanaj." Sir William Skipwith was lord of a manor at Hemel Hempstead in 1571. Richard and William are named at Flamstead 1576, and William held the Manor of Puttenham in 1530. Thomas and his wife Dorothy appear at St. Stephens, St. Albans, in 1562, as liolding the Manor of Burston, and Thomas at St. Peters in 1553. V. — Inscription given by Chauncy and Cussans, on brass — " Here lyes the bodie of Mary Dixon who departed this life 10th of July 1622 being then but 3 yeares of age to whose sweete remembrance I.B. for the love she bore hir here dedicates hir self and this. This well may serve to set my passions forth But greater piles must caracter thy worth Affection only consecrates this stone That it should melt when I forbeare to mone I see no cause why either should 'plaine Suns never set but 'tis to rise agaiiie." An inscription on stone to Lucian Dixon, a daughter of Robert Dixon, adjoins the above. Cussans states that about 1797 there was an indent of a brass of a man and two shields, and an inscription in Lombardic characters appearing to belong to the 13th century — " Phelippe la Rila . . Me Ait Merci Amen." Cussans notes all the above, and Haines Xos. I. and III., and adds (Xo. I.) a very small brass to Richard Xewland, rector 1497, but no such name is to be found in the list of rectors, and the brass cannot now be seen. Chauncy also mentions most of them. KING'S WALDEN. On chancel wall, I. — Inscription — ' ' Here lyeth buried the body of Sibbill late wife of Robert Barber Gent: who had issue 2 sonnes & 2 davghters. She was davghter of Willm Sheppard of Great Rolewright in the Covnty of Oxon Esqr & the sister of Timothy Sheppard who wds bvried here. She deceased the 24 day of May Anno Dili 1614." This Timothy Sheppard has a tablet inscribed to his memory fixed above the inscription to his sister. ( 29 ) KXEBWORTH. On chancel floor . 1. — Six brass strips inscribed — " Hie procerum de Stirpe satum cum covjvge clarae John Hotoft iterum telluris condimus urnis Hospitii Reikis qui Thesaurarius olim Henrici Sexti merito poUebat honore Sit lux ppetua sibi post hec horida lustra Corpora spiritibus." Salmon says that these lines were formerly on an altar tomb, with brass iigures of a knight and lady ; Chauncy states the same, and adds : " In the chancel window are the arms of Hotoft." Cussans states that Hotoft was a benefactor to tlie church, and may have restored it. He was patron of the living in 1432, was treasurer to Henry YI., and M.P. for the county in the reigns of Henry V. and VI. II. — A priest in a splendidly-embroidered cope, on which are represented, on the left side, the Virgin and Child, St. Peter, a bishop, and St. Andrew, and on the right side St. John the Baptist, St. Paul, an arch- bishop, and St. James, and the head of our Saviour is shown where the cope is fastened. Two shields at the top, and inscription under — " Hie jaeet diis Simon Baehe clicus quonda Thesaurari^ hospicii illustrissimi Principis diii henrici quinti Regis Angl ac chanonic- eeclie cathedralis sci pauli london qi obiit xixmo die Mali A° dni M°CCCC°XJJJJ° [Cujus, &c., broken off.] Simon Bache was rector of Knebworth in 1404, and died in 1414. Cussans gives an engraving of this brass, but omits the two shields, which existed in 1846. Edmond Bache was an assistant of the borough of Hertford in 1662, and was mayor in 1672. John Bache was mayor in 1689. On chapel floor. III. — A man in armour and his two wives, with three coats of arms and inscription under — " Rolandus Lytton Armiger qui insigniter armagessit in hello duxfortis in pace optimus magistratus obiit 16 July 1582. Uxores habuit Margaritam Tate et Annam Carle- ton ; ex prima reliquit Mariam, exaltera Rolandu et Francisca." The man is represented in a full suit of armour, with his helmet behind his head. The two wives are habited in brocaded dresses, and are similar in dress and features. The left-hand figure and the inscription are partly covered by a monument. Rowland Lytton, M.P. for Herts in the time of James I. and Charles II., was Lord of the Manor of Knebworth, and was descended from Sir Robert Lytton, who bought the estate in 1493 ; his son Rowland was knighted in 1603, and from them we have the noble family of Lyttons, who have owned Knebworth to the present time. These are all noticed by Haines, Chauncy, and Cussans. LETCHWORTH. - On floor of nave. I. — Man and wife and part of inscription, which is quoted in Salmon's history of the county — " . . . . bus Will Overbury et Isabella uxoris eius." The four last words are now alone remaining. The figures are half-length size, and the man is placed on the left of the wife instead of, as usual, at her right hand. The man wears a moustache and a beard with two points, and the woman has a kerchief falling over her shoulders, and both of them wear cuffs covering the hands to the fingers. These brasses are much worn, and Haines says the date of them is about 1400. On floor of chancel. II. — Priest in ecclesiastical robes, and inscription — " Hie jacet diis Thomas Wyrley Rector Eeclie de Leche worth qui obiit iij die mes Marcii An° diii MCCCCLXXV." He is represented as holding in his hands a heart inscribed with the words " Credo qd," and from the heart issue three scrolls, one of which has upon it the words "de terra surrecturus sum"; another has the words " Redemptor mens vivit " ; and the other, which is nearly all missing, only has the word " in " remain- ing. This Thomas "Wyrley was rector of Letehworth from 1469 to 1475. Chauncy has no mention of either of the above. Haines and Cussans give both of them. NEWNHAM. On floor of chancel, I. — A man with two wives and four children. The man is dressed in the robes of a civilian trimmed with fur, and his hair is long. His first wife is plainly dressed, with fur at her wristbands and collar. She has a wired or butterfly head-dress, in vogue about the end of the 15th century. The second wife is dressed somewhat in a similar manner, but of a period a few years later, and in addition she has a long girdle. Under the figure of the second wife is one of a son, with long hair and a plain costume, and the figures of three daughters, smaller than that of their brother, all dressed alike, with long hair and pedimental head-dress of the early part of the 16th century. The inscription is gone, but Haines gives the date of the brasses as about 1490. Cussans says the man may have been Wm. Skip with, who was for some years lord of the manor. A William Skipwith was patron of the living in 1571, and seems to have been a member of a Lincolnshire family. He was the eldest son of Thomas Skipwith, of St. Albans, who was related to Sir Ralph Rowlet, Knight, of that place. ( 30 II.— Lady, eight children, one shield, and inscription— " Here lyeth Joane Dowraan y'' wife of James Dowman, who was y^ daught & heire of Henry GowlshuU Esquier sonne and heire of Robert GowlshuU of Beford in Howldernes in y° cov ntye of Yorke Esqr which Joane dyed y^ xtJi daye of Novemb 1607 : in ye Ixi yere of her age ha- ving 7 childre lyvyng viz one sone 6 daughters." The lady wears an elaborately-embroidered petticoat under an open robe, with ruff and head-gear of the early part of the reign of James I. ; her son, whose name is given as Edward, wears a long cloak and has knee-breeches, and his head is bare. The names of the daughters are given as Marg., Elizab., Jane, Ane, Consta, Marye, Susan, Susan, eight names in all, but only seven figures of girls are shown in addition to that of the son. It is stated in the inscription that she had seven children living (one son and six daughters), so that probably one of the daughters pre-deceased the mother. The three eldest girls wear hats and dresses similar to the lady, and three of the others only wear a kerchief on their heads ; the remaining daughter is dressed in more style, and her brass has been joined to that of the other children. Perhaps she may have died in her mother's life-time, especially as another name of Susan is given. The third figure of the daughters has under it two Christian names, Jane and Ane. This is an unusual occurrence in brasses, unless in this instance one of the names is intended for a deceased child. The Dowman, or Dolman, family belonged to Pock- lington, in Yorkshire. James Dowman was patron of the living of Newnham from 1572 to 1588. Chauncy mentions only No. II. Cussans and Haines notice both I. and II. NORTH MIMMS. On waits of chancel. I. — Man in armour, with his feet resting on a lion. He is wearing a long sword in front ; his hair is long, and he is bare-headed. The inscription is gone, but Chauncy gives it as under — *' Hie jacet Henricus Covert primogenitus Williel. Covert, Senior, de Armig. qui obiit in festo Sti. Edri. Regis, in Anno Dom. 1488, cujus animse propitietur Deus." Haines quotes (No. IV.), "Henry, eldest son of Wm. Covert, Esq., 1488," and gives an engraving of the brass (p. 197). Cussans says the date of the brass is about 1510, as denoted by the style of the armour. II. — Man in armour, with his helmet at the back of his head, and his wife, in the costume of Queen Eliza- beth's reign ; two shields and long inscription under- neath — " This tombe enclosed houldeth fast a Martha both by name and life In love sure linkt while breath did last to Richard Butler spowsed wife "Who did not drawe full twentie yere the fatal! lyne of Lachis threede Yet did in tender youth appeare a matrone both in worde and deede Shee feared God and sought his prayse a world it was to hcare and see How godlic shee did ende her dayes a myroure surelie might shee be In birth to her he gave no place yet shee for blood a woorthie matcbe He did discend of knightlie race and shee of whence shee sprang did smatch Of olyve tree shee was a braunche cut of of purpose ye may well saye From worldlye soyle to make the chaunge a heavenlie place for to enjoye And surelie what of hir is said no whit to him can be disprayse In hyni was suche foundacon layd as did contynue since alwaies Echo wight in hym suche vertue founde by tried truth for to explane For dew desert yee trumpette sounde for to pronounce his woorthie fame In earth yf wight had ever care to lyve upright in cyvcU sorte He might of all the standert beare of faithfuU freendshipp by reporte But shee did first begyn the daunce in flowring yeares to passe the way .... deathe dothe lyfe advaunce which he sjTice walket and both inioy." A peculiarity of the brass of the woman is the length of the lower part of her body in comparison with the upper. This brass and inscription are not mentioned by Chauncy. Haines mentions them in No. VII., and Cussans gives engravings of the figures and a copy of the inscription. The man seems to have been connected with the family of Boteler, of Watton Wood Hall, according to the arms on the shields, and Cussans states that his wife, Martha, was probably a Coningsby, as some of the Coningsby family intermarried with the Botelers. The Coningsby's possessed the Manor of North Mimms and lived at North Mimms Place, which was built about 1590 by Ralph Coningsby, who was knighted in 1603 by James I. ; they also lived at Potterells. The family are mostly buried in St. Catherine's Chapel, which is part of the church. III. — Figure of a woman and two headless children ; that of the man is missing. At the feet of the lady is a small dog with a collar and bells, and inscription— " Hie jacent Robertus Knolles Armiger Qui obiit — die Mens Anno. Dni. Milliiio. CCCC° Et Elizabeth Uxor ejus que obiit xxviii° die Mens Novembris Anno Dni millrao CCCC° Quinquagesimo Octavo. .Ac pueri eordem. Quorum animabus propitietur Deus. Amen." The date of the death of the man not being filled in denotes that the wife died first. The prayer at the end ( 31 ) of the inscription has been partly defaced, but can be plainly read. Robert Knolles was lord of the Manor of North Minims, and one of his daughters married Henry Frowick, whose daughter married John Coningsby, who was sheriff of Herts in 1547. IV. — A priest, in encharistic vestments, under an enriched canopy, which is simihir in style, desiga, and execution to that of Abbot Delamere in St. Albans Abbey. This ecclesiastic is represented with a chalice and paten placed on the body instead of in the hands. At the feet of the figure is a stag couched, and below are two lions with a shield between them. The canopy contains figures of the Deity and of angels, and on the right side are those of St. Peter, St. John, and St. Bar- tholomew ; on the left side are St. Paul, St. James, and St. Andrew. The brass is the work of a Flemish artist, and Haines (Xo. I.) says the date is about 1360 (perhaps Wm. de Kesterven, vicar in 1361). Boutell has an engraving without the canopy, and states it probably represents Thomas de Horton, vicar of North Mimms in 1360. Cussans says he cannot identify' the arras, but he believes them to be those of Swonland or Swanland. Thomas de Swanland was the third son of Simon de Swanland, Knight, who founded the chantry of St. Catherine in North Mimms Church. Thos. de Swan- land was priest of this chantry from 1361 to 1365. The pedigree of the family is in Camden's " Visitation of Warwickshire, 1619," and the lineal descendant through Joanna, the grand-daughter of Simon de Swanland, is Mr. Newdegate, who still holds Harefield Place, near Uxbridge, which formerly belonged to the Swanlands. Clutterbuck in his history of the county gives an engraving of this, brass. Cussans gives the name of the vicar from 1314 to 1361 as "William de Kesteven, and Thomas de Horton from 1361 to 1372, and says that Simon de Swanlond was patron of tlie living in 1361, and William de Swanlond was patron in 1388. Simon was a London merchant, and was lord of the Manor of North Mimms in 1316. v. — Small figures of a man and his wife, four sons, and six daughters. There is no inscription to show whom they represent. The man is dressed in a civilian's robes, and Cussans gives the date as about 1450 or 1460, while Haines (No. V.) says about 1490. VI. — Inscription — " Here Lyeth the bodye of Thomas Ilewes late of Vxbridge in the the Covntye of Midd : Esqvier who departed this lyfe the 27 of Martch Anno Dtii 1587. And also the bodye of Elizabethe his wife sole davghter and heire of Sr Grifiithe Dvfie Knight who deceassed the second day of December Anno Dni 1590." Chauncy and Cussans both give this inscription, but it seems to have been omitted by Haines. Haines notes (No. II.) " A civilian about 1440, legs and inscription lost," but this is not mentioned by Cussans, and is now missing, Haines gives (No. VI.) effigy of a child covered by step, and Chauncy gives inscription as under, which is not now in existence^ " Of your charitie pray for the Soule of Thomas Leucas Son and Heire apparant of John Leucas of the of Kent, the worthie Thomas in childhood departed in God in the of August in the year of our Lord God 1531, on whose Soule and on all Christian Soules Jesu have mercy." Haines also names (No. VIII.) inscription as being on the floor of St. Catherine's Chapel. Chauncy and Clutterbuck also mention it — " William de Bakthone jadis Boteler al Prince gist ici, Dieu de I'Almi eit mercy." OFFLET. On floor of north aisle. I. — Man and two wives, one son and indent of two children, with inscription — " Here lieth Johii Samwel Elzabeth and Jone his wives whiche John decessed the xxiii day of February the yer ^ of our lord M°CCCCCXXIX on whos soules ihu have mercy. Amen." The man is in a merchant's dress, and his two wives are habited in costumes similar to each other, aud are alike in features. The wife on the left of the man seems to have had one child only, and the other wife had probably two children. - II. — Man, three wives, and nine children, and indent of one child. The inscription is gone. Haines (No. II.) gives the date as about 1530, and says the children are all sons. Cussans says they are eight daughters and one son. This family belongs to the wife on the left hand of the man, as they are placed underneath her, and she was probably the first wife. At the feet of the outside right hand lady, who was most likely the widow, is the indent of one cl>ild. The nine children seem to be all sons, and are all dressed alike except one who has on a short garment, and perhaps this one was a son of the second wife. The ladies are very similar in features and dresses, and there seems to have been the same artist employed to engrave the four brasses who engraved those in Hitchin Church (also to a man and his three wives), as the similarity is clearly seen. Chauncy only mentions No. I., Haines and Cussans both I. and II. PELHAM (BRENT). On floor of nave. I. — Two ladies and inscription under — " Thy stingo oh death most shiirply here appeares To take them both away in their prime of yeares." " Here lyeth ye body of Mrs. Mary Rowly y*^ wife of Mr Francis Rowly who de- parted this life y'^ 4 day of Janvary 1625 ( 32 ) Also here lyeth y"^ body of Mrs Anne Eowly y^ 2d wife of Mr. Francis Rowly ■who departed this life y*^ 25 day of Avgvst An° Doiii 1627 JEtatis Svre 27 Dormitnon moritur licet hie terra Sepelitur." The brasses of the two ladies are small, and they are both shown as dressed alike iu hat, mantle, and ruff of the fashion of the early part of the reign of Charles I. The age of the deceased is only given of the second wife, but both evidently died young, and perhaps both were of the same age. A John Rowley was sheriff of Herts in 1650, and died in February, 1657, aged 91. He had two wives, who were buried in Bark way Church. He was probably a son of one of the wives of Francis Rowley. Haines mentions that formerly there was a brass to a lady, about 1610, of which a sketch is seen in Cole's MSS. Also of Ralf Gray, gent., 1492, and his wife Anne, of which Cbauucy gives the inscription as under — " Hie jacet Radulfus Grey, Generosus, et Anna uxor ejus, qui quideiu Radulfus obiit prime die Mensis Xovenibris. An. Dom. 1492." Cussans says that the Manor of Greys is so called from a former owner, Nicholas de Grey, lord of the manor in 1243. The above Sir Ralph de Grey, Knight, was descended from hira, and succeeded to the manor in 1465, being 24 years old. Only the first brass is now to be seen. who represented the county in Parliament nine times, and was also sheriff of the county. A John de la Lee also was sherifE in 1300, and died in 1311. He held the Manor of Albury adjoining, as did also his successors of the same name, which died out in 1396. Portions of the brasses of Robert Lee and his wife Joan, 1564, are in Eastwick Church. ]L — Part of an inscription — " qui quidem Jobes Newport obiit decimo die mensis Junii Anno Domini Milessimo . . . ." Chauncy gives the inscription in full as under — " Orate pro Anima Johanis Newport, armigeri heredis Roberti Newport armigeri & Maria Uxoris ejus unius Filiarum Johannes Alyngton de Horsheth in Com Cantabr Ar. Qui quidem Johannes Newport obiit prime die Mensis Junii an 1522." The effigies are lost. This John Newport was son and heir to Robert Newport, mentioned in No. III. The family of AUington held the Manors of Great and Little Wymondley from 1429 to 1691, and were connected with that of De Argentine, dating from about 1200 to 1423, and with that of Lord Grosvenor, who sold the manors in 1767. At Horseheath, in Cam- bridgeshire, are brasses to several of the De Argentines ' and AUingtons PELHAM (FURNEAUX). In chapel. I.— Man, wife, and double canopy. The male figure is placed on the left hand of his wife instead of, as usual, on the right side. He wears the dress of a civilian ; his robe is trimmed with fur and fastened at the waist by a girdle, from which hangs a short sword ; his hair is short, and he has a moustache and pointed beard ; his shoes are pointed, and his feet are resting upon a dog. The costume seems to be of the reign of Richard IL The lady is plainly dressed as a widow, and has a ring on one of her fingers. The canopy is partly gone, and is a double one, enriched with crockets and pinnacles. There was originally an inscription and one daughter and four shields, all of which are missing. Haines says perhaps the figures represent John Barloe, who died 1420, and his wife Joan, who died 1419, according to an inscription given by Chauncy, but this seems doubtful, as the lady is dressed as a widow. Cussans states that the figures are habited in the costume of Richard II., and probably they represent Sir John de la Lee, who died 1370, and Johanna his wife, and gives a long account of the pedigree of the families of Furneaux, De la Lee, Barley, Newport, Leventhorp and others, all intermixed, and belonging to the parishes of Furneaux Pelham, Albury, Sawbridge- worth, and other places in the neighbourhood. This John de la Lee was Member of Parliament for the county of Hertford in 1355, and left a son, Walter, On wall of north aisle. III. — Man in armour, wife, children, and shield. The figures are small, and all are kneeling. The man is dressed in complete armour, and wears long hair. The lady wears a plain dress, and has a pedimental head covering. There are two boys at the side of the man, and three girls with the woman, all plainly attired. There was formerly a scroll proceeding from the mouth of both the man and his wife, also three shields, but only one shield remains, bearing the arms of Newport. The inscription is also gone, but is given by Chauncy — " Here lieth Robert Newport Esqr Founder of this Chapel and Mary his wife, which Robert died the 17th of November 1518." The family of Newport was connected with those of De la Lee and others mentioned under No. I. They held the Manor of Furneaux Pelham until about 1680, when it was sold. They also were lords of the Manor of Brent Pelham until about 1640. Edward Newport was sheriff of the county in 1622. Robert Newport was M.P. in 1401 and 1413, and the Robert Newport in No. III. brags was sheriff of Herts in 1496, and, according to the inscription, founded the chapel in the church of furneaux Pelham, where he lies buried. RADWELL. * Oh floor of nave. I.— Man, wife, children, and inscription— " Pray for the Soules of John Bele gentylman & Anne and Agnes hys wyfes, the whyche John decessed in the yere of our lord God M V C And X V I." The man is dressed as a civilian in a plain robe trimmed ( 33 with fur and fur collar, he has large sleeves, and his hair is long. He has a wife on each side, both of whom are dressed alike in every respect, each having a pediniental head dress, fur cuffs, and ornamented Ion" girdles. Under the left hand wife (Anne) are two small boys dressed alike, and beneath the second wife are the indents only of two girls. Mr. John Bele may have been a connection of the family of Bill or Byll, of Ashwell and Clotball, near Kadwell, a pedigree of which is given by Cussans. II. — Lady and inscription — '•' Here lyeth the body of Elizabeth Parker wife of John Parker gentle'man, & eldest davghter of Anthonie Gage of Stowe in the covntye of Cambridge Esqvyre. She lyved the life of the Godlye, and dyed (in the trve fayth of Christ) the deaeth of the righteovs, the 26 th day of Janv- arye 1602 in the xxviith yeare of her age. Blessed are they that die in the Lorde, for they reste from there laboures and there Workes followe them. Eevelacoa 14 Cap 13 ver." The lady is dressed in an elaborately brocaded costume, with and ruff cap of the Elizabethan period. The manor of Radwell was the property of Sir Henry larker in 1541, who was Sheriff of Herts in 1537. He left a son and heir named John, who married the above named Elizabeth Gage. There is a monument to John Parker, Knight, and his wife in this church, with inscription. He died in 1595. Sir Henry Parker is mentioned in the Hundred of Odsey as pos- sessing property worth 40.5. per year in 1545. A John Parker was afreeholder of Hitchin in 1561. III.— Man, wife, priest, and inscription — " Hie jacet Willnis Wheteaker et Johaiia uxor ei ? ac Thoms Wheteaker Capellan^ fili eordra qe quidm Thouis obiit xxvj'^ die decebr A° diii mcccc°lxxxxij°, quo^ ai..bz ppicietur de? Amen." The man is dressed as a civilian in a short garment his hair IS long, and he has a hood or cap on his right shoulder with a long scarf attached hanging to his knees; he also wears a gypciere and a rosa?y. His wife is plainly dressed ; she has fur cuffs and a horned headdress of the period, with veil at the back. Between the figures is the brass of the son named Thomas Wheteaker, dressed in eucharistic vestments, and hold- ingthe chahce in his hands, and over his head the indent of a scroll. . Tl'o^'" nT.''*:'^''^'"" ,'^'*^ I'^ctor of Radwell from 1477 o 1487. William and Ellen Wheteaker held land in Royston parish in 1547. A William Whittaker lived at \v attord, and issued tokens as a mercer dated 1668 Chauncy mentions i\os. I. and II., Cussans Nos l" and 11., and Haines gives Xo. III. as missing, but it was found when the church was re-pewed, and an engraving is in the " Church Builder" for January lo/6. ■" ) REDBOURX. < J' ~^^^^' ^°^^ ^°"s> and inscription- Pray for the soulys of Rychard Pecok and Elsabeth hvs wyfe, wh.che Rychard dyed y^ xiij day of deceber in yc yGFG of ou lord MCCCCCXIJ on whose soulys Jhii have mercy ame." •' The feet of the man are gone, and formerly there were hgures of his wife and two daughters. The man is dressed in a civilian's robes trimmed with fur, and his brass and that of the sons is on a stone in the south aisle of the church, but the inscription is fixed on the chancel wall. There formerly was a brass of a peacock on the same stone. ^ A John Pecok and his wife Maud are buried in the church of St. Michael's, St. Albans, and have brasses inTt-^^ S'P.'f" ^'"o °'^ y' ^"•■'^ ^^^3-or of London n VS" ^. ^l""'! T'^'"'''' °^ Kedbourn, who died in 18o7, bequeathed £100 to the poor of the parish Cussans states that the family of this name is one of the oldest of liertlordshire families. On wall of chancel. fi, "^^■~^^,''" '\ armour and three boys, woman and three girls and coat of arms. Tbe figures are all kneeling The man and woman each kneel at a desk with a book thereon, and the boys kneel behind the man, and the girls are behind the lady. The man has on a suit of armour, and his helmet is placed on the rA" ''^/•'"'y '^, ^''^^^'''^ ^1 t'le costume of the time of Queen Elizabeth. There is no inscription. Cussans gives an engraving of the brasses, and Haines gives the dat^e as about 1560, and says they represent Sir Richard Rede and his wife Anne. Cussans also says that Sir Richard Reade died ou July 1 1th, 1576, and held the manor of the Priory at Redbourn, and gave an annual payment to the poor of Redbourn, secured on about ten acres of land worth £22 per year. _ A Nicholas le Rede was rector of Great Berkhamsted la 1357. On Jlnor of south porch. III.— Small brass engraved with figures of eight girls, five of them kneeling. Cussans savs that on the same stone are the indents of a man and wife and one son, and also a peacock, as No. I. The date seems to be about 1470 from the head-dresses of the dau^-hters which are large. The Peacock family (see No. I ) were originally of much importance, and a descendant, Richard, lived here in 1647. Chauncy does not mention any of these brasses. RICKMANS WORTH, f On floor of nave. I.— JIan and his two wives and inscription under— ' Here lyclh bvried vndcr this stone \ Alice J The bod)- of Thomas Day / Joanc; Deceaseds And his two wifes Alice & Joane | j 159), ,pv, ,. , Thomas) fThelOofJvlv The times here see yov may / \ jgj-^ uon under — ( ThclOofJvly 1 1585 34 ) These three no dovbt had faith in Christ their siiies for to forgive Aiul they can tell that knew them well y^ poore they did releive." The man is represented as holding a staff with his right hand and a book with his left, and wearing a cloak reaching to his knees. The two wives are dressed alike in the style of the period. The brasses are much worn. Cussans gives an engraving of the first wife, and says that the figure of the second wife was stolen when the church was rebuilt about 1850, and has been reproduced; he also gives a long pedigree of the Day family, who owned the estate of Micklefield Green for nearly 200 years. KOYSTON. On floor of nave. I. — Ecclesiastic and canopy. The lower pnrt of the figure and a portion of the canopy, with the in- scription, are gone. Cussans gives the inscription as under, as having been in existence in 1747 — " Wilms Taberam jacet hie sub marmor strat'^ De Terfield quondil Rector Legista pbatus Scanderat hie Aras Celor? LumiS Marci An° CCCC quart, semel M. semel i bis et xxter." The ecclesiastic is wearing a cape edged with fur, and a hood and academicals. This "William Taberham was rector of Therfield, near Eoyston, for a few years only, and died in 1421. II. — Man and two wives. The brass of the first wife is missing. The man is dressed as a civilian in robes trimmed with fur, and the lady wears an angular head-dress and has a long girdle. Nothing remains to show the name of the man or his wives, as the inscription is gone, but Haines (Xo. III.) gives the date as about 1500. On floor of chancel, III. — A cross, having engraved upon it a bleeding heart and four bleeding wounds. Haines calls it a " Latin cross brass," which is found only in use in the early part of the ISth century, and gives the date as about 1500, but Cussans says it was probably placed over the tomb of an ecclesiastic during the 14th or 15th centuries. On wall. IV. — Inscription — " All ye that this Monument shall red prayse God for our Father Willyani Chamber who before his deper- ture by his last Will and Testament ordeyned oon Ser- mon yerely to be p^ched in this pishe churche of EoystS on llogacon mundaye by the Collegyners of Seynt Johiisin Cambrige, who Depted the ii day of Noveber in the yere of our lorde God MCCCCCXLYI." William Chamber being a man of wealth and renown in Eoyston had to pay towards a subsidy in 1547, his goods being valued at £66, and an Edward Chamber had goods of the value of £20. The name of James Chamber is found in a list of freeholders who lived at Hitchin in the year 1561. v. — Inscription — " Hie Jacet Eobtiis White quondam prior isti? loci qui obiit prirao die Mensis Aprilis Anno dni Millesimo Quingentesimo tricesimo quarto ° >> This plate was in a box in the vestry cupboard in 1882, and Haines says "a rubbing of the brass (now lost) of Eobt. White, prior, 1534, is in the possession of J. B. Nichols, Esq." The last line of the inscription has been cut off. Inscription — " Now farewel my frendys all The tyde abydethe no man I am depted hens and so ye shall Yn thys passage ye best song that I can Eequie eternam now Jhu graunte yt me That when I have endyd all myne adversitie Graunte me yn Paradyse to have a masion That shed thy blod for my rederapcii)n." Haines says this plate is loose, and the date is about 1500 ; that the same inscription, with slight variations, is found at Northleach, Gloucestershire, about 1485 ; and that Weever states that the same occurs at Baldock in Herts and two or three other churches. Cussans saj's that " at one time this brass was fixed under the tower of the church, but is now loose in the vestry." Chauncy also gives the following — " Sub Lapide hoc recubat Leonardus Hamondus amandus Christe cubile tuuin, dulce cubile suum In Peace did live in Peace did die, In Peace doth live eternally. Leonardus Hamondus qui obiit Mail 27. An. Dom. 1629.'^ An Edward Hamond is mentioned in the parish of Clothall in 1606-32, and John Hamond was a free- holder of Pirton, near Hitchin, in 1561. Haines mentions Nos. I. to Y., Chauncy Nos. lY. and Y., and Cussans Nos. I. to IV. SACOMBE. I. — Inscription only — " Of your charite pray for the soule of Eleanor Dodyngton late the wyfe of John Dodyngton Gent : which eleanor decessed the xix day of November the yere of our lord god MYcXXX VII on whose soule t all Cristian Soules Ihu have mercy.-" II. — Inscription only — " Here lieth buried the bodie of John Dodington of Sacome gentleman who deceased a faithfull Christian the viith dale of Janvarie in the yeare of our Lord God 1544, and was husbande to Elenor Dodington, whose grave is ioyned here to his on the righte side, after whome he survived seaven yeares and seven weekes and lefte alive at his departure by her his onelie wife three sonnes and six daughters. ( 3-5 ) Cygnea qui terris modulati carmina mortis Dulce polo vita nunc melos usq' canunt." Xo trace now remains to show who John and Eleanor Dodyngton were, but in all probability they lived at the mansion in Sacombe Park in the parish, and the family were dispersed after the death of the father in 1544. Chauncy and Cussans also mention these two inscrip- tions, but they are omitted by Haines. The brass plates are fixed on the riser of the sacrarium steps, and iron hot water pipes are placed in front of them, which prevent the inscriptions being easily deciphered. SANDON. On floor near pulpit. I. — Man in armour and wife, four shields, six daughters, and inscription — " Hie jacet Johes Fitz Geffrey Armiger Et Elzabeth Uxor eins qui quidrii Johes obiit tercio die mensis Augusti Anno dfii millio CCCC'LXXX. Et que quidm Elzabeth obiit die mensis Anno dfii millio CCCC° deus ame." The man is in full quor? aiabus ppicietur armour, with his helmet under his head, and his sword hangs diagonally in front of him. His feet are resting on a bull. The lady is shown with very small arms and waist, and wears a large head-dress and veil, and has a very small dog at her feet. The date of her death has not been inserted in the inscription, showing that she survived her husband. The figures of three sons are gone, but Clutterbuck gives their names as " John, William, Thomas." The figures of six daughters remain, with their names inscribed under — " Agnes, Elisabeth, Elisabeth, Elienor, Jane, Margarett." Two of these daughters bear the same Christian name. The four shields have all engraved upon them a bull similar to the one at the knight's feet. This John Fitz -Geoffrey was grandfather to a Francis Fitz-Geofirey, who held a manor in Sandon and sold it in 1549, and was descended from a Bedford- shire family. A Thomas Fitz-GeofErey was rector of Wallington from 1351 to 1387, when he resigned. The following extract is from Parkins's " Origines Roystonianfc " : — " John Fitz-Geffery, Lord of Berk- hampstead in Hertfordshire, was son of GefEery Fitz Piers, Earl of Essex in the reign of King John, 1165- 1216, who married Beatrix, daughter of William De Say, descended from Gcftery de Magnavile, 1st Earl of Essex, who died 1144, and married Roisia, daughter of All. de Yere. This Roisia is supposed by some to have been the origin of Royston." Cussans has an engraving of this brass, which is in very good condition. On floor of aisle. 1 1 . — Inscription — " Of yo? charite pray for the sovles of Syniond Pratt and Jone his wyfe wyth all ther^ childer sovles and all cristen. Amen." Symon Pratt was lord of the manor of Hide Hall in 1524. Haines and Chauncy only mention Xo. I. No. II. is now in the church, having been found at the rectory a few years ago. SAWBRIDGEWORTH. Oti floor of aisle. I. — Large figures of a man and his wife, and two shields. The inscription is lost, but Chauncy gives it as — " Hie jacent Johannes Leventhorpe arm. qui obiit 27 mensis Mali 1433 «& Katharina uxor ejus qui obiit 5 die October 1431 quorum . . . ." The figures are life size. The man is in a complete suit of armour, with a dog at his feet ; the lady wears a kirtle and mantle, and has beneath her coverchief a widow's plaited coif, and a small dog is lying at her feet. Chauncy mentions the year of the lady's death as 1431, but in the Harleian MSS. it is given as 1437, which is probably correct if she was left a widow. Chauncy also says that John Leventhorpe was one of the executors of the last will and testament of King Henry V. ; and on the two shields remaining of the five which were originally, placed on the stone are the arms of Henry V. and YI. John Leventhorpe lived at Shingey Hall, near Saw- bridgeworth, and was member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in 1413, 1415, and 1422. He came from Leventhorpe Hall, in the West Riding of York- shire, in 1392, and married Katharine, daughter and heiress of ... . Twychet, and had two sons, Thomas and John, and one daughter, Anne. The Leventhorpes seem to have been a noted family for several genera- tions, and there are various brasses in this church commemorating them. A Robert Leventhorpe was member of Parliament for Herts in 1425, and a Sir Thomas also in 1467. The name became extinct about 1690. Boutell has an engraving of these fine brasses and the two shields, and they are also shown in Waller's " Monumental Brasses." Boutell says that " Sir John de Leventhorpe was a highly trusted servant to the House of Lancaster, and held various offices under Kings Henry IV. Y. and YI., which accounts for the royal arms being placed on the shields." II. — Man, two wives, and inscription — "Hie jacet Galfridus Joslyne et katerina ac Johana uxor ^ ej ? q Obiit xx° die mensis Januarii anno dui M°CCCCLXX° quor^ The man is dressed as a civilian, and has a wife on either side of him. Both of these ladies are dressed alike, and each has a " butterfly head-dress " ; their dresses are trimmed with fur, with cuffs. The inscrip- tion is partly broken. The Joslynes (or, as the name is now spelt, "Jocelyn") lived at Hide Hall and held the manor, and are descended from a Thomas Jocelyn of the time of Henry III., and from then to the present time the ( 36 ) manor has remained in the family. In the church is an altar tomb with the effigies of " John Jocelyn and his wife Philippa," 1525, and Chauncy gives an in- scription in brass — " Orate pro Anima Radulfi Jocelin quondam Militis and bis Maioratus Civitatis London qui obiit 25 Oct. 1478." This Ralph Jocelin was Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, and was twice Lord Mayor of London. A Philip Josselyn was instituted as rector of Sawbridgeworth on 22nd Dec, 1487, and was afterwards rector of High Roothings. Several other memorials to the Jocelyn family are in the church, some of which are of recent date. II*. — Shield of arms and two plates, one with twelve boys and the other with six girls. Cussans says there are sixteen boys, but only twelve remain, and they appear to belong to the Ralph Jocelyn named above. Haines does not notice them. At Aspeden is an inscription to Robert Clifford and his wife, " Dame Elizabeth," late wife of Sir Ralph Joceline, Kt., who died 15 ... . On floor of toiver. III. — Man and wife, two shields, and inscription — " En jacet hie pulvis, putredo vermis et esca^ Est Famulus mortis, nam vita jam caret ista? Hie nil scit, nil habet, nee virtus inde relucet^ Cerne luto villus, horror, terror, fetor oibis'^ Oppobrium cunctis ac est abjeccio plebis^ Hie Frater aspice te spira suffragia p me?" Chauncy adds the following : — " Hie jacent Johannes Leventhorpe arm. qui obiit ultima die Mensis Mali 1484 & Johanna uxor ejus qui obiit 29 Aug. 1448." The man and -woman are pourtrayed as enveloped in shrouds, each of them holding in their hands a heart inscribed with the words " Jhii Mcy," or "Mercy Jhu," which have been scored through. The inscrip- tion recording their names, &c, , is gone, and the six lines of Latin are placed in another part of the church away from the figures. The shields are described by Cussans as being — one " France modern, quartering England," and the other " France ancient, quartering England." This John Leventhorpe was eldest son of John Leventhorpe (whose effigy is in brass, before mentioned, 2^0. I.), and married Joan, a daughter of Barrington, of Barrington Hall, Essex. He also lived at Shingey Hall, and had possession of the manor. He left one son named Thomas. He seems, like his father, to have held some office under his Sovereign, and was in his favour and confidence, as shown by his adopting the royal arms. The lady seems to have died in 1448, thirty-six years before her husband, according to Chauncy and Haines, but Cussans gives the date as 1488, On floor of aisles. IV. — A lady and three shields. The brass of her husband and one shield is gone, and the inscription is also lost. 'The lady is wearing an heraldic mantle, having three crescents on each side, and her head- dress is angular. She is also wearing a necklace, with ornament, and a long girdle, and has a dog at her feet. The shields bear the arms of Leventhorpe and also some crescents. Haines says that these brasses represent Thomas Leventhorp, Esq., who died in 1527, and his wife Joan, daughter of George Dallison, Esq., and widow of Alex. St. John, of Thirby, Beds. Chauncy omits to mention these brasses, but gives the names in a pedigree of the Leventhorpe family, and says that this Thomas was Sheriff of Herts and Essex in 1426. He was lord of the manor and lived at Shingey Hall, and was descended from Nos. I. and III. He had three cliildren, John, Edward, and Thomas. V. — Man and wife and inscription — " Here lyeth bvried Edward Leventhorp Esqvire who died in Decemb? 1551. (being ye eldest sonne of Thomas Leventhorp Esqvire and Eliza- beth his wife y^ davghter of Barlee of Aldbvry Esquire. Theire eldest soiie was also Edward who married Mary Parker the se- cond davghter of Sr Harry Parker Knight ye eldest sofie of Harry Lo. Mor.lie " The man is bareheaded, and is in a suit of armour. His wife wears a ruff, and has a long peaked stomacher reaching to her waist ; her dress is distended by a large farthingale, and is brocaded with patterns of leaves, flowers and fruits, with insects flying about them. Haines says the man in armour was the eldest son of No. IV., and altliough he died in 1551, the plate was not engraved until about 1600. Chauncy calls him the second son. The Barley family were residents in the neighbour- hood, and are found at Wyddial and also at Kirapton. The village of " Albury " is a few miles distant. VI.— Lady and inscription — " Here lyeth bvried Mary y® wife of Edward Leventhorp Esqvire who died at Rome in Avgvst 1566 and is there ac- cordinge to his degree decently interred this Mai-y was y^ second davghter of Sr Henry Parker Knight eldest sonne and heire apparant to Harry Lord Morley, this Edward & Mary had issve to theire eldest sonne John Leventhorp." The lady is dressed in the costume of ladies of rank of the time of Queen Elizabeth. She is wearing a very large ruff round the neck, and has a long-bodied stomacher, peaked at the waist, and a richly embroidered skirt ; the dress has a flounce at the waist, and the sleeves have plain cuffs ; tl)e skirt is distended by a farthingale, and the neck and arms are adorned with a necklace, pendant jewel, and bracelets. Haines gives the above description and an engraving of part of the figure, and says the plate was engraved about 1600. Chauncy says the lady died in August, 1566, but this date seems doubtful, as her husband died at that time. This Edward Leventhorp, Esq., was son of Edward ( 37 ) Leventhorpe, Esq. (No. V.), and travelled to Rome, where be died. He left one son, John, who was a justice of the peace and a deputy-lieutenant of the count)- of Hertford. He was knighted by James I., and was sheriS in 1603. He died in 1625, and was buried in this church. The manor of Tednambury, near Sawbridge worth, was granted by Henry VIII. to Henry Parker, Lord Morley, whose descendant, Thomas, Lord. Morley and Monteagle, sold it in 1659. VII. — Two shields and inscription — " Of your charite pray for the soule of "Willfti Chauncy, on whose soule Jhu have mercy." All the words except the first and the names have been scored through, but they can be easily read. The two shields are both bearing the arms of Chauncy : a cross fleury, on a chief a lion passant. The effigy of a man was once fixed on the stone, but has been lost. The inscription is given by Chauncy as under — " Of your charite Sey a PaterXostre and an Ave For the Sowl of William Chaunce On whose Sowl Jesu have mercy." The Chauncy family lived at Pishiobury, and held the manor from about 1400. A William de Chauncy died in 1343, and most likely the above inscription refers to him. From him descended Sir Henry Chauncy, the historian of Hertfordshire, who has inserted a pedigree of the family in his book, comniencing with a Chauncy de Chauncy, 1066, who came from Amiens, in France, with William the Conqueror. Sir Henry lived at Ardeley Bury. There was originally a shield belonging to the above showing a heart between two hands and two feet in base, all pierced and bleeding, representing the five wounds of our Saviour, but tliis is lost. There are several members of the Chauncy family buried in Sawbridgeworth Church, and there was a Thomas Chauncy vicar there, who died Feb. -ith, 1425. Joseph de Chauncy, prior of the Hospital of St. John's of Jerusalem, gave a dwelling-house in 1280, with land, to the Vicar of Standon. A John Chauncy married a daughter of the first Sir John Leventhorpe, and died 2nd December, 1477. Charles Chauncy was vicar of Ware in 1627. Several of the family lived at Ardeley Bury, and are buried in Ardeley Church, in which there are several monuments to their memory; they held the manor until 1721. A John Chauncy was a benefactor to the parish of Ardeley, and Ann Chauncy in 1691 gave a communion plate to that church. Henry Chauncy also gave a house and land for the use of the poor there. John Chauncy was town clerk of Hertford in 1663, and one of the same name lived in that borough in 1680, and was alderman and justice of the peace. Sir Henry Chauncy, the historian, was educated at Bishop Stortfoni, and called to the bar in 1656. In 1680 he was appointed the first recorder of the borough of Hertford, and was knighted by Charles II. in 1681, IIo was made a judge in 1684, and died at Ardeley on May 21st, 1719. He published his history of the county in 1700. Chauncy gives an inscription which he says is pre- served by Weever, but the figures are gone — " Hie jiicent Johannes ar. & filius & hreres Johannis Chauncy arm : fillii & hseredis Willielmi Chauncy Militis, quondam Buronis de Skerpenbeck in Com. Ebor. & Anna uxor ejus una filianim Johannis Leventhorpe, arm. Qui quidem Johannes, obiit 7 Mail 1479 & Anna 2 Decemb. 1477. Quorum Animabus " In the Harl. MSS. is shown the figure of a man in a shroud, holding on his breast a heart with the in- scription '' Jhu misericordia," with the arms of Chauncy and inscription under — " Here lyeth Thomas Chnuncy Vicar of this Church who departed his life the 5 of Feb a° 1425 on whose soule God have mercy, Anifn." In Ardeley Church is a stained glass window to the memory of " Henry Carter Snell Chauncy," who died in 1868. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Charles Chauncy, of St. Pauls Walden, and a lineal descendant of Sir Henry Chauncy, Knight, tlie historian, and the last of the name. Charles Snell Chauncy, Esq., died at Dane End on October 9th, 1866, and is buried in Little Munden Church. VIII. -Haines says "a shield and another lately lost is all that is left of the brass of John Chauncy, Esq., 1546, and wives Elizabeth and Katherine." Chauncy gives a long inscription to their memory. In the Harl. MSS. are also given the following inscriptions on brasses in this church which are not now to be found, and may have been buried when the church was restored : — " Ilio jacet Agnes soror Johls Leventliorp Armigeris qui obiit primo die Decemb a° 1444 ciijus anima priipicietur Dfus. Amen." This seems to have been a sister of the first Sir John Leventhorpe. " Hie jacet Isabella nup. uxor Johis Leventhorp de Sabridgeworth in com Hartford Armig. quondam uxor Robti Southwell de eudem comitntu Ar. et filia Johis Boys de Wilington in com Lincoln, Armigeri quse qunedam Isabella obiit xx die Julii 1481. Ciijus anima propicietur Deus. Amen." A Sir Richard Southwell held the manor of Widford in 1544, and .... Southwell, Esq., was member of Parliament for the borough of Hertford in 1557. Sir Robert Southwell, Master of the Rolls, is mentioned on a brass at Wyddial. In Great St. Helen's church, Bishopsgate-street, London, is a brass to John Leentliorp, Esq., 1510. Haines mentions a " brass of a man in amiour, about 1480, said to bo from Sawbridgewortli," at Goodrich Court, Herefordshire. S HENLEY. On floor. I. — Inscription — " Vnder this marble stone here lyes A iewell of rich prise 10 ( 38 "Who natvre in the worlds disdayne Bvt showd & pvt it vp againe Here lyeth Elizabeth davghter of Kalph Alwaye who, dyed the xixth daye of lanvarye an° Dili 1618 being of 6 yeres and vpwardes." Haines mentions a brass to Mr. Ralph AUway, of Canons, 1621, and his wife Dorothy, with four daughters, Mary, Anne, Dorothy, and Elizabeth. This is also noticed by Chauncy, and given by Clutterbuck in his history of the county. Chauncy says that Mr. Ralph Alway was a "zealous and religious gentleman." He held the manor of Holmes, or Canons, in succession to a John Alwey, who was probably his father, who purchased the same manor in 15i4. SHEPHALL. In chancel, I. — Inscription — . / " " Here lyeth the body of George Nodes Gentylma Sargeante of y*^ bockehoundes to Kyng Henry the Vllltli , Edward y'' Vltli Queue Mary and to Quene Elyzabeth which dyed the xvij daye of May an° 1564 and Margaret his wyff dyed the daye of an° 15 " II. — Inscription — " Here under lyetii the bodye of Margaret Noodes y^ wyfe of Gorge Noodes late of Shephall berry Sargyaunt of y*' Bucke Houndes unto Kinge Henry Kinge Edward Queue Mary & Quene Elizabeth, which Margaret deceassed the vith daye of January in theyeare of our Lord God. 1-582." The family of Nodes possessed the manor of Shephall and lived at Shephall Bury. The first of the lords of the manor of this name was the above named George Ixodes, and it descended through several generations of the family until 1838, when it was sold. George Nodes was master of the buckhounds, &c., as stated in the inscription, and on his brass is engraved the name of his wife, &c., but she also has a separate plate, and her name is differently spelt to the former one. Elizabeth Nodes in 1730, and John Nodes in 1737, both of Shephall Bury, left by will benefactions for the poor of the parish. The church contains several monuments and inscriptions to the family, which seems to have been of some importance in the county. At Biddenham, in Bedfordshire, is a brass to "Helen daughter of Geo. Nodes of Shephall Esq. and wife of Wm. Boteler Esq. 1639." This "William Boteler was related to the Botelers of "Woodhall, "Watton. ST. ALBANS (The Abbey). I.— Man dressed in a long robe trimmed with fur with large sleeves, his hair is cut straight on his fore- head, and his fingers are bent. The eflBgy of his wife is gone, and also those of his sons, but six daughters remain. A marginal inscription on the stone is partly gone — ". . . . [Rauff 11 owlatt] Mchaunt of the Staple at Calais and Jane his wyfe whiche Rauif decessed the . . . day of .... in the yer of our lord God MVc . . . and the . . ." Boutell has an engraving of the man, and says " He was late of Holywell House, in St. Albans, and of S.indridge," and gives the date about looO. Haines gives 1519. Chauncy does not mention the brass, but gives an epitaph to a Margery Rowlet, wife to John Maynard and sister of Ralph Rowlatt. Ralph Rowlett was lord of the manor of Gorhambury, and sold it to Sir Nicliolas Bacon. He was member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in 1547. He was a lineal ancestor of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, and the estates of Gorhambury and Sandridge were granted to him by Henry "VI I L at the dissolution of the monastery of St. Albans. In Sir Philip Hoby's diary is mentioned, " Momlay, the 28th June (loo8), the marriage was made and solemnized between me and Elizabeth Cooke, daughter to Sr Anthonye Cooke, Knight. The same day was also her sister Margaret, the Quene's maide, marled to Sr Balph Rowlet, Knight, who shortlic after departed out of this lief.'' An inscription in the school states that Sir Ralph Rowlett was a benefactor to that establishment. II. — Lower portion of the figure of an abbot in robes, with pastoral staff, surrounded by a canopy with inscription under and with ornaments at the sides. The upper part of the figure and the canopy have dis- appeared— " Meus-vivit-et-in-novissimo-die . . . rus-sum." " Hie quidam terra tegitur, peccati solveiis debitura." " Cuinomennonimponiturin libro vitesitcoscriptu." This is supposed to represent John de la Moote, who was thirty-first Abbot, from 1396-1400, and held various offices in the monastery, and while he was cellarer he was put in the pillory at Luton market by Philip de Limbury, who did not approve of him or his religion. On the reverse of this brass is the lower part of a female figure with a dog at her feet with collar and bells, which, according to Boutell and Haines was engraved before that of the Abbott. Boutell gives an engraving of both sides of the brass, which is loose in the abbey, near that of Abbott de la Mare, and Chauncy mentions the inscription only as being on a tombstone in the church. Abbot John de la Moote built the abbot's house at Tittenhanger, and died in 1400, and was buried in the Chapter House of the abbey. III. — Man and woman and inscription under — " Hie jacet Thomas Fayreman U.x. e! qui obiit p'mo die mensis . a° dmi MCCCCXI. ." These brasses are very much worn, and the inscription is broken and defaced. The man "wears an anelace suspended from his waist, and both figures are dressed ( 39 ) in plain costume. Haines (Xo. III.) says "Thomas Fayreman was a Merchant of the Staple of Calais." There was a Robert Fairman living in the borough of Hertford in 1642. IV. — Large brass to an abbot, with canopy and inscription — " Hie jacet Dominus Thomas quondam Abbas hujus Monasterii " This brass is of Flemish workmanship, and is said to be the finest existing specimen of an ecclesiastical brass. It is supposed to represent Abbot Thomas de la Mare, or "Mere" or "Merc," who was the thirtieth abbot and died on loth September, 1396, and was buried at the foot of the high altar. Clutterbuck, in his history of the county, has an engraving of the plate, and Boutell also, omitting the canopy. He was the son of Sir John de la Mere and Joanna, his wife, and was probably a near relation of Sir Peter de la Mare, said to be the first speaker of the House of Commons. He governed the Abbey forty -seven years, which was much longer than any other abbot before or after him, and was in great favour with King Edward III. This splendid large brass was prepared under his own superintendence about 1360, and represents him in full eucharistic dress, very costly and magnificent ; his hands are crossed and covered with jewelled gloves, and his feet encased in embroidered sandals ; he has a mitre on his head, and his left arm rests on his pastoral staff. The canopy is divided into smaller canopied compartments, with figures of our Saviour with two angelic figures on either side, and beyond St. Peter and St. Paul ; below stand St. Alban with a sword and a cross, and Off"a, king of Mercia, wearing a crown and holding a spear ; also six double canopies with St. John, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Bartholomew, and St. Philip, and in six others saints or prophets wearing crowns. The borders are engraved with square and round roses alternately, and the inscription is shown in large letters and has an initial cross, but was never completed. The bra^s is damaged to some extent, and has been removed from the original stone to which it was fixed, and is now placed in the chauntry of John de AVheathamstede. V. — Part of a large canopy ornamented, which formerly contained the figure of an abbot with pastoral staff, and bad figures at the top of the Virgin and Child, Jesse, and perhaps St. Ampbibalus. Three scrolls formerly proceeded from the face of the figure, inscribed — " Celica regna bone m'dent' queso patrone " ; " Penas compesce. Requiem da virgula Jesse " ; " Me precor, Amphibale, solvens ad sidera sume " ; but only the four last words of the latter now remain. Clianncy also gives a very long Latin inscription, which he says "is in the chancel round a gravestone of a mitred abbot," but only a portion is now existing, as under — " Vir crucis & XpT. Tumulo iacet insitus isti. Carcere de tristi. Saluetur sanguine Xpi. relligione. Mundum contempsit. tolerabat. Gandia, tristicias . . . . . . tempora durans. Hostibus ecclesie restitit in facie. Ad tumulum proceres mors impia transferet omnes Et ■ . ." This brass is supposed to represent Abbot Stoke, who was prior of Wallingford and was appointed thirty-fourth abbot in 1440, and died about 14-51. An engraving is given in " Gough's Sepulchral Monuments." The Society of Antiquaries' account of 1813 describes the above thus : " A large slab has the upper half of a large brass figure of an abbot mitred and holding a crozier, some tabernacle work, and two little images, one holding a wand, the other like John the Baptist, with his flag, cross, and purse. Two shields bearing the saltire of the Abbey in brass are left, and round the ledge was an inscription (see Chauncy), and from his mouth a scroll inscribed with three Latin lines, two of which remain." VI.— A monk. Haines (Xo. IV.) says " about 1450, perhaps Reginald Bernewelt, 1443." This brass is loose, and the inscription is gone. VII. — Man (in armour) and wife. The upper part of the man and figures of two sons and two daughters and inscription are gone, and the figure of the wife is much worn. The man has a dog at his feet. Haines (Xo. VI.) give the date as about 1465, and says the figures represent Bartholomew Halsey and Florens his wife, and formerlv had this inscription — " Here lieth Bartholomew Halsey and Florens his wife . . . Charitye sey for those tweyn sowlis a paternoster and " The family of Halsey were of note in the county, and have remained so to the present day, one of the name being in 1883 and 1886 a Member of Parliament for the county, and his father held the same office in 18-52. "William Halsey was a bailiff of the town of Great Berkhamsted in 1639. Sir John Halsey, of Gaddesdcn, held a manor there in IO.38, and he and two of his daughters left legacies to the poor of that parish. Thomas Halsey was sheriff of the county iu 1679, and a Thomas Halsey was M.P. for the county in the reign of William III. VIII.— A man, without his head, dressed as a civilian. This brass is loose, and Haines gives the date about 1470. IX. — A monk, holding in his hand a heart showing six drops of blood. Haines gives the date as about ( 40 ) 1470, and has an enojraving of the figure. From the mouth jiroceeds a scroll engraved with the words — " Cor niuiidum crea in me Deus." The inscription under states that Robert Beauner held various offices in the monastery during more than forty years — " Hie jacet Frater Robcrtus Beauner q'udni. hui Monasterij Monachns qui q' draginta sex annis continuis & vltra ministrabat in div'sis officijs maioribus & minorbz c5vent monasterij p'scripti videliz. In officiis Yercii p'oris coquarij ReiTectorarij &: Inffirmarij Et in officijs subreffectorarij & speru c5vent' Pro cui 'aia Fratres carissimi ffunde p'ces dignemini ad indicem altissimii piisima dnii ihu cristu. vt concedat sibi suor' veniam peccator amen." X. — Half-length figure of a monk. The brass is loose, and the remaining portion is gone. Haines says the date is about 1470. There was formerly a label from the mouth of the figure inscribed — " Misericordia tua, domine, adjuvabat me." The account of the Society of Antiquaries for 1813 gives on page 10; "On a stone for an abbot a brass figure and inscription, which are both gone." " . . . Ricard : I : ici : den : de : sa : alme : ei-merci tus : ke : par : ici : passis : pater : ot : ave : pur : lalme : pries : e : tons : k : pur : lalme : . . . . unt : tons : . . . ante : it : . . . ri . . . r . . . unnus." XI.— Knight in armour, with helmet at his head. The inscription is missing, but a portion of it was as under — ". . . knyght son and heire to Edmond erle of Kent . . . . d the fourth hole suster to our sov'raine Lady the .... yere of our Lorde A 1480, and of the kyng .... ke; on wliosesoule God have mercy. Amen." Boutell has an engraving of this brass, and says " the knight wears the Yorkist collar of suns and roses. He was brother to John Lord Grey of Groby, the first husband of Elizabeth Woodville, afterwards Queen of England, and with his brother fell at the battle of Bernard's Heath near St. Alb;tns, which was fought 17 Feby., 1480." " This knight was Sir Anthony de Grey, eldest son of Edmund Lord Grey, of Ruthyn ; his mother was Catherine, daughter of Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his father was created Earl of Kent by Edward IV. He married Joan, daughter of Richard Wydeville, or Woodville, Earl Rivers, and sister to Elizabeth, Queen of Edward IV., and to Anne, wife of bis next brother, George de Grey, second earl of Kent. Sir Anthony died without issue during the lifetime of his father." There were originally four shields placed round this brass, but only one now remains, which bears tbe arms of Grey with others. XII. — A man dressed as a civilian. This brass is loose, and Haines (No. VII.) gives the date about 14 65. XIII. — Figure of a monk, with inscription (loose) — •' Memoriale domini Thome Rutlond quondam Suporis hui monasterii, qui ex hac luce migravit X-X die mensis Augusti Anno dni millimo quadragin- tessimo vicessimo primo cui. aTe indulgeat Altissira." This Thomas Rutlond was sub-prior of the Monastery, and died in 1521. Round the ledge of the stone were formerly the words — " . . . . in conspectu tuo egi ide deprecor majestatem tuum ut tu Deus ...,...." XIV. — A scroll, which was originally inscribed — " [Salva Redemptor plasma tuum] nobile Signatu Sco vult' tni lumine [Nee lacerari sinas fraud] e dsemonura Propter quos mort' exsolvisti pseiia." The words in brackets are missing, but the scroll for- merly belonged to the figure of a monk (which is also lost) kneeling at the foot of a cross by which stood the Virgin and St. John. XV. — A twisted scroll above a lost effigy of a priest, witL inscription — " Te rogam te laudih n° mat' ihii xpi Ut intendas & defendas nos a vere tristi." XVI. — Inscription — " pray for the Soules of Willfii Stroder & Margaret his wyf, whiche margaret decessed the xxv day of Marche, the yer of our lord god mvxvii, on whose soules jhu have m'cy." The effigies of the man and his wife are missing. XVII.— Inscription (loose) — " Orate pro iITi henrici Grymbalde capellani qui obiit primo die mensis Octubr' Anno dm M°V°XXIF Cuius aie propicietur deus amen." XVIII. —Inscription (loose) — " Pray for Mawde Hairyes which lyeth in this grave Desyre God hartelie her sowle for to save Whiche deceased the xv ditye of Februarie On whose sowle Almyghtie god have mcj'e. Anno domini Millesimo CCCCC Tricesimo Septimo." A Thomas Harris was living in the borough of St. Albans, 1604. XIX. — Inscription (loose) — " Ecce sacerdos eram iam f actus vile cadaver. Et cito pulvis erit queso memento mei Siste gradu qui me tetris hie funde precat Me deus ut levet bine, ducat ad usque potum. Ricardus Stondou obiit . . die . . An° MV° ..." This brass was probably laid in the monk's lifetime, and on his breast were the words " Jesu Christ, Mary's son, Have mercy on the soul of Richard Stondon." XX. — Inscription — " Here lyeth Agnes Skelton the youngest daughter of Robert Skelton by Joan his wife deceased the xiith day of Maye in the yeare of our Lord Christ 1604." Robert Skelton is mentioned as being an inhabitant of the borougli of St. Albans in 1591, and as mayor in 1611 and 1621. Haines mentions all the above except Nos. XIX. and XX. Chauncy notices only Nos. II., IV., V., and IX., and Boutell describes Nos. I., II., IV., V., IX., and XI. Nos. II., VI., VIII., X., XIL, XVI., ( 41 XVII., XVIII., XIX. and XX. are all loose, and are placed in the cbapel of Abbot Wheatbampstead near the brass of Abbot Delamere. Chauncy notices other inscriptions which are not visible now, and Haines says "that there was formerly a brass cross with a bead at the centre, an engraving of which is in ' Knight's Old England,' fig. 1086, &c., and there was another which had only a head with inscription ; also in the choir of the abbey is a large slab with an indent of a foreign brass, probably of Michael de Mentniore, twenty-ninth abbot, who died in 1349 ; and that there is a chantry altar which had brasses at the side. There are very many stones in the abbey which show by the remaining indents that they once contained brasses, and Haines says that these slabs number 270. In Add. MS. British Museum 9064, p. r22a, is a sketch of the brass of a civilian and wife, about 1500, which was formerly in the north aisle, but is now lost. St. Michael's. On floor of chapel. I.— IVIan and woman, shield, and inscription— " John Pecok & Maud sa fenime gisunt^^ Yci dieu de lour almes eit merci ame." The figure of the man is shown a little taller than his wife, and he is wearing the costume of a merchant. The lady wears a handkerchief falling over her shoulders, and short sleeves with buttoned wristbands. Haines gives the date about 1380. One shield is miss- ing, but the one that remains is quartered with the arms of Pecok and Weyland. John Pecok, of Redbourne, was connected with the manor of Windridge, St. Albans, in 1276, and married a daughter of John de Weyland, and from them descended the man who with his wife is represented by these brasses. Lord Venilam now holds the above manor, and the late Countess of Verulam was descended from the family of Weyland, who held it .500 years ago. Stephen Peacock was Lord Mayor of London, and attended at the coronation of Queen Anne Boleyn in 1534. On foor of nave under chancel arch. IT.— A man in armour with dog at his feet. The inscription is lost, but Haines gives the date as 1380. Boutfell has an engraving of the knight, and says about 1383. The brass is very much like that in Great Berkhampstead Church to John Raven, 13 95, and Cussans savs that the only inscription applicable to it is one ' quoted by Chauncy — " Hie jacet Thomas Wolvey (or "Wolven) Latomus in arte nee non Armiger illustrissimi Principis Ricardi secundi quandam Regis Anglire, qui obiit an Dom. 1430 in vigilia Sancti Thomie Martyris. Cujus auinifc propitietur Deus Amen." Chauncy also says : " It seems by this inscription that this man was the master mason or surveyor of the King's stone works, as also Esquire to the King's person." On floor of sotdh aisle. III._A floriated cross, containing a small figure ) of a man dressed as a civilian. The cross is partly destroyed, and Haines gives the date as about 1400. The Gentleman's ilf«^«siMe for April, 1812, contains a description and an engraving of this cross and figure. On floor of nave. IV. — Inscription — " Here lyethe Henry Gape and Florens his WyS Who owte of this world chayneged his lyfte In the monethe of September the sevent day The yere of salvacyon 1558 the truthe to say Whos sowU we wysshe as love dothe bynde. In Heaven withe Chryste a place to fynde."_ Cussans says that the family of Gape have lived at St. Albans for more than 300 years, and in 1552 the above Henry Gape was one of the principal inhabitants of the town, as one of his descendants is at the present time. Haines mentions all the four brasses in this church, and says that Nos. I. and III. are under pews, No. II. in the vestry, and No. IV. in the church chest ; but in 1882 they were all to be found on the floor in various parts of the building. Cussans gives Nos. I., II., and IV., and Chauncy the same, and adds another inscription to Richard 'Wolven, which may perhaps be covered over. St. Peter's. I.— Man and wife and children. The inscription is gone, but Chauncy gives it as under, being in existence when he wrote his history — " Memorise et virtutis Sacrum. " Here lies Roger Pembertou Esq. sometime High Sherifi' of this County, who by his last will ordained Six Alms Houses to be built near this Church for six poor widows and bath given out of his Manner of Sbelton in the County of Bedford £30 per annum for ever for their maintenance. To whose pious memory Elizabeth his loving wife and Ralph Pemberton their dutiful son Mayor of this Town Executors of his last will have dedicated this Remembrance. He lived well and departed this life the 13. of November 1627 the 72. year of his age. Here now his Body rests in expectation of a ioyful Resurrection." The man is habited in the robes of a sheriff, and his wife wears the costume of the period. The inscription tulls us what he did for posterity, and Chauncy says he was sheriff in 1620. His father, Lewis Pemberton, was sheriff in 1615, as was also his grandfather in the same year, but died during the year he held the office. The name of the grandfather was Sir Francis Pember- ton, of Pemberton, in the county of Lancaster, belong- ino- to an ancient family. The childrens' efligies are on" a separate plate, and there are three sons dressed alike and three daughters, one of whom is clad in gown and ruflle and wears a hat ; the daughter standing next is bare-headed, and has the collar of her cloak open, showing the bare neck, and in front of her, at her teet, is the figure of a small sister lying on a couch, repre- senting her as having died young. An inscription at the top — 11 ( 42 ) " Filii dicti Rogeri / " Filia3 dicti Rogeri et Elizabethre I et Elizabetlite Raph, Robt. Jobn." ( Eliz. Eliz. Tecla." It -will be seen tbat on the brass of the children appear the names of two Elizabeths, which may lead us to suppose that the child who died young bore this name, and that the same name was given to the daughter who is standing over her. In 1882 these brasses were loose in the vestry of the church, and were found to be very much worn, and on the back of the brass of the children is another inscription, showing that it had done duty 100 years previously. This inscription is nearly illegible, and is to the memory of John Ball, brickmaker, 1515, who left 105. yearly for an obit for himself, his wife Elizabeth, and John and Chrystyan, his parents. The eldest son, Ralph, was mayor of the borough of St. Albans in 1627 and 1638, and was the father of Chief Justice Pemberton, who died at High gate in 1697. In the register of St. Stephen's parish is stated " that on 14th Deer. 1601 Master Raphael Pemberton was married to Mistres Marie Conningcsbie of Sopwell the eldest daughter of Syr Richard Lee, Knight, and wydow of Master Humfrey Oonningesbie." Mistress Marie died in London 27th March, 1610, and was buried in the chancel of this church. Haines says that there are drawings of the foregoing figures in the British Museum, and of four others now lost — (1) A priest, about 1410, above an inscribed rose, now at the Bodleian, Oxford. (2) John Atkyn, glover, 1449, andWidow Dame Joan. (3) A priest, 1460, with chalice. (4) Wm. Mitor and wife Grace, 1486. (1) Chauncy mentions this as follows: — "Under a marble stone in the Quire a religious man hath interred, whose name is worn or stolen out, with the Brass. Only the Form of a Rose remaineth, and in the turning of the Leaves this inscription — * Lo all that 'ere I spent somtyni had I Al that I gav to good intent, that now hav I That which I nether gav nor lent, that now aby I, That I kept, till I went, that lost I.' " An old translation from these Latin couplets following — " Quod expendi, habui Quod donavi, habeo Quod negavi punior Quod servavi, perdidi." There is a rose similarly inscribed at Ashridge House, which originally whs in the church of Edlesborough, in Bucks. (2) Chauncy does not note this brass, but Haines says : " A shield, on which was engraven a pair of gloves, was placed over the figures (now lost) of John Atkyn, glover, and widow, 1449." (4) Chauncy gives the inscription belonging to this brass — " "William Mitor and his wyffe Grase Under this Ston ben buryed her In Hevyn good Lord grant them plase As thow them boght with thy Blood so der "Which "William as her hit doth apper The ninth day of March past this present lyff On Thowsand fowr Hundryd and six yer Of Crist, whos grase be ther preservatyff." Chauncy also says: "This Church and Churchyard was filled with the bodies of those that were slain in the two Battles fought in this Town, among whom Sir Bertin Entwysel, fighting on the King's part, died of a wound received in the first Battle, upon whose Tomb this inscription, inlaid in Brass, is yet to be read : — ' Here lyeth Sir Bertin Entwysel Kt. which was born in Lancashire and was Vicount and Baron of Brykleke in Normandy and BailiflF of Constanline who died the 28 of May 1455 on whose soul Jesus have mercy.' " And he adds that " these Entwysels were gentlemen of good account in Lancashire," &c. An engraving of this brass is given in Nichol's Leic : showing the figure of a man in armour, with the upper part of the body and the feet missing, and a shield at each corner of the stone and eight labels at the sides and above the head of the figure, which bear the word "Jesus" on four of them, and "Mercy" on the others. A Philip Antwissell, of Cottered, was a benefactor of the poor in that place in 1577. The only brasses now existing in this church are those mentioned first, of Roger Pemberton and his wife and family, but Chauncy gives several long and many short inscriptions to others, as — " Ralph Babthorpe Dapifer to Henry 6 died 22 May 1455, and his father of the same name a squire, both of whom were slain while fighting at St. Albans for King Henry 6 and lye buried together." " Richard Skipwith gentleman died 16 August 1420 aged 20 and his two wives Joanna and Joannes," &c. " Edward BeuUed and Alice his wife 8 Jany 1475." " Thomas Astry and Elizabeth .... 1507." " John Lind ........ 3 Sep 1464." And four other inscriptions of the family of "Westby, of 1447, 1475, 1495, &c. St. Stephen's. On floor of chapel. I. — Man and wife, four sons, and five daughters. The man wears a complete suit of armour, except the helmet, and has a dog at his feet ; the lady has a large head-dress and veil. The inscription is gone, but is given by Chauncy — ■ " Hie jacet "Willielmus Robins armiger nuper Clericus Sigueti Edwardi quarti nuper Regis Anglise et Katherina uxor ejusdem "Willielmi : qui quidera "Willielmus obiit 4 die mensis Novembris an Dom. 1482 quorum animabus " This "William Robins was Clerk of the Signet ; and Chauncy says he always had the custody of the privy signet, as well for sealing his Majesty's private letters as other documents. Chauncy also mentions the following inscriptions : — " Here lyeth Robert Turbervile and Dorothy his ( 43 ) wife which Robert dyed the 26 of Feb 1529, and Dorothy the 7 of Octr 1521. Sancta Trinitas unus Deus miserere nobis." Here lyeth John Turbervile Vicar of this Church who died 1536 " Quos tegit hsec Petra, junxit Thorns et Domus nna lam pulvis factus Willus Davis nomine dictus Cum Margareta Sponsali foedore juncta Cum prece devota qui transis, sta, prcecor, ora." Hie jacet Johannes Gril quondam Magister Sancti Juliani, et Vicarius istius EcclesioB Qui obiit sexto die Decembris 1449 Cujus animoe propitietur altissimus." STANDON. On south wall of chancel. I. — Inscription — " Hie iacent sepulti in Gcia % mia Dei Johes Ruggewyn Armiger .... xxvj die Octobris. Anno diii M°CCCC°XII°. Et margeria uxor ei obiit die mens A° dfii M°CCCC " The date of the wife's death has not been filled in, and the prayer for the soul has been cut from the brass. In Haines, 1861, the brass of a man kneeling, with the above inscription under, was in existence, but is now gone, and it is also to be found engraved in Add. MSS. in the British Museum. Chauncy and Cussans give the inscription only. John Ruggewyn was a Member of Parliament for the county of Hertford from 1390 to 1397, and sheriff in 1386 and 1387. He was possessed of a manor in the parish of Standon in 1412, and seems to have been a man of repute and property. On floor of nave. II. — Small figure of a man in civilian dress trimmed with fur, with one coat of arms. The inscription and one coat of arms is gone. Haines says the date is about 1460, and the figure probably represents John Curteys, stock fishmonger, of London, 1465. The remaining coat of arms has " on a Bend three Hawk- lures within a Bordure charged with fourteen Roundles." This is somewhat similar to the maternal arms of Wade (No. IV.). William Curtis is mentioned in the parish of Little Hadham in 1427. John Curtys, Esq., was patron of the living of Buckland in 1409. On wall of north aisle. III. — Large brasses, in good preservation, of two men, seven children, four shields, and inscription at side — " [Here lyeth John Field sometime Alderman of London a Merchant of the] StapuU of Caleys the whech decessed the xvi day of Avgvst in the yere of our lord god MCCCCLXXVII. Also her lyeth John hys son Squire ye whech decessed ye iiii day of May y'' yere of " The first figure (John Field or Feld) represents a mnn dressed in an alderman's robes, trimmed with fur. He has a double chain of gold round his neck, and he wears a rosary and gypciere ; his train is thrown over his left shoulder ; above his head are the city of London arms, defaced, and effigies of his children, two sons and one daughter, are at his feet, and his trade mark on a shield beneath them. His son, who is called the " Squire," is wearing a complete suit of armour without helmet, and his sword is suspended diagonally in front of him ; his hair is long and his face close shaven, as is his father's. Above his head is a shield, bearing the arras of the Staple of Calais, which it is presumed belongs to his father, and at his feet are small figures of his two sons and two daughters, and underneath them a shield bearing his arms. These brasses were originally coloured, as traces of the colours remain, and Cussans has a large engraving of the whole, highly coloured, representing the originals. Chauncy mentions " A man in armour and his wife, with inscription," which is clearly a mistake, this being the very uncommon instance of a man and his son, and no wives. John Field was an alderman of the city of London in 1450. He lent £2,000 to King Henry VI., and was elected sheriff of the City in 1454. He was a wool-merchant, carrying on business in connection with Calais, similar to others who are found buried in Hitchin Church, and seems to have been a man having large estates in the neighbourhood of Standon, and his descendants are to be found in the county at the present day. In 1378 John atte Felde owned some property at Standon, and probably was an ancestor. John Feld, of Standon, Esquire, is mentioned about 1480 entitled to spend 40s. upwards per annum. In 1676 Edmund Fielde, of Marden, Herts, was M.P. for the borough of Hertford, and was living in 1698. Several monuments to the Fielde family are in Stanstead Church, 1719- 1805, and a Thomas Fielde was vicar of that place in 1767, and another Thomas in 1796, and a descendant of the original Field was appointed vicar of Sawbridge- worth in 1864. A Sir Thomas Field lived at Stanstead Bury about 1661. Waller's " Monumental Brasses" contains an account of the above, and a description was in the City Fress, 1st May, 1868. On floor of nave. IV. — Man in armour, three shields, and inscription — " Thy lyraes Wade yt lately death hath slaine under thys stone enterred here Remaine Thy Sowle discharged of here bourden great hath made her fiight to god in his high seate Thow doost conqvere and yet conqvcrcd art death yeld to y*-' and thow vnto death's dart Thy bodie is to gredye wormcs A pray thy soule with god in heaven dwelle alway vivit p's fvnera virtvs the XV day of Septeb° An° MVclvij." This brass represents a young man, who probably was connected with the family of No. II., as the shields are bearing similar arras. A John Wade was a citizen of London in 1299. ( 44 ) V. — One shield and inscription over — " Here lietli Willfii Cofl'yn knight sutyme of ye pvie chabre wt his sovfiigne lord kinge Henry theight & Mr of y*^ horse vnto qvene Jane ye most lawfull wyfe vnto ye aforsaid kinge H theight and high steward of all y*^ lyberty & manor of Stando in y'^ covtye of hertford wli Willin decessyd ye viij day of decemb A° dui xvcxxxviij the xxx yere of y^ raigne of kinge Henry theight [ ]" The latter part of the inscription has been cut ofi. William Coffyn was evidently a man of good repute, and held appointments as stated in the above inscription, but his name does not appear in connection with the parish of Standon at any other time. YI. — Haines gives No. YI. : " Six sons and four daughters in shrouds, part of the brass of Philip Aslley, Esq., 1467, and his four wives Lettis, Margaret, Elizabeth, Alice," but nothing now remains. Chauncy states that he found the effigies of the man and his four wives, in brass, and of five sons and five daughters, and gives the inscription — " Hie jacet Philippus Astley armiger quondam Famulus illnstrissimi Principis Ricardi nuper Ducis Eboraci, Lcetitia, Margaretta, Elizabetlia et Alicia usores ejus, qui quidem Philippus obiit 22 die Mensis Julii An. Dom, HG7." This is the only instance in this county where we find brasses to a man and his four wives mentioned, and unfortunately these do not now exist. They are also mentioned in the Add. MSS. in the British Museum. VII. — Inscription — " Amongest the mo whome death in wonted wise hath cast from restles toyle and carking care Of wretched world. Here Richard Emerson lies to teache the rest tliat lyve even what they are Thre tymes fyve hundreth yeres thre score and twelve Octobre on the eight and twenty day he chaunged lyfe he cold not here remayne His tyme was fixed for so the scriptures say Yitam mors superat post mortem fama superstes." STANSTEAD ABBOTTS.- Near pulpit. I. — A man dressed as a civilian holding the hand of his wife, whose head is missing. The two figures are engraved on the same plate. The inscription is gone, and also two shields, but two shields of arms remain. Haines gives the date about 1540. II. — A man in legal robes and wearing a ruff, with a shield of arms at his head and inscriptiou under— " Here lyeth buried ye bodie of WiJliani Saxaye late of GraTs In gentlema. Sonne of Henrie Saxaye Citizen and Marchant venterer of London, and Joyce his wife daughter of Robert Trappes of ye same cittie Goldsmythe, whiche said "William died the xxii daye of Avgvst in the Yeare of our Lord God 1581, beinge of the aige of xxiij yeares." Chauncy gives a list of the treasurers of St. Paul's Church, London, and among the names appears that of William Saxey (No. 27), who died in 1567. III.— Two shields, one of them having the arms of Rokesburgh. The figures of a man in armour and his wife are gone. Chauncy gives an inscription — " Hie jacent Willms Rokesburgh armiger qui obiit 20 die mensis Anno Dom. 1434. et Isabella Uxor ejus quffi obiit die Anno Dom. 1400. quorum Animabus propitietur Deus." It does not appear whether William Rokesburgh lived at Stanstead, but most likely he held the manor house near the church known as Stanstead Bury. IV. — Haines gives No. IV., "Evangelical symbol of St. John, efligy lost." Several other brasses are supposed to be hidden by the pews which were erected about the year 1710. STEVENAGE. I. — Priest, and inscription under — " Hie jacet Magist? Stephanus Hellard Ebor' diocesis in decretis Bacallarius quodil Rector hujus ecclesie ac eciam Canonicus Cathedralis ecclesie assavensis qui obiit die mes? Anno diii millio quingentesimo [ ]" This brass is very fine, and is in a good state of pre- servation. The figure of the priest is robed in eucharistic vestments, wearing a cope. The inscription has a blank space for the date of the decease, which has not been filled in, denoting that the worthy rector had the brass laid down during his lifetime. The concluding sentence of prayer to the Deity has been cut off. Stephen Hellard was rector of Stevenage from 1472 to 1506, and was also canon of St. Asaph, and by a deed in Novembtr, 1501, gave to trustees a tenement which he had built, and which Chauncy says is called " All Christian Soul House," for the habitation of three poor folk without payment of any rent for so long as the house shall endure, and moreover willed that every one that dwelleth in it shall say daily in the name of the Holy Trinity " ' Thou Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, have mercy and pity upon the soul of Master Stephen Hellard and upon all Christian souls,' with three Pater Nosters, three Ave Marias, and one Creed." He also gave some land, of which the reqts were to be given to these tenants for their use and benefit. Cussans states that " there are three houses, now occupied by six aged widows, on the site of the original tenement, who receive the income of the land," but he does not relate that they carry out the injunctions of their benefactor by praying daily for his soul. This brass was removed from its original position in April, 1884, and fixed in another part of the church, which is much to be regretted, and in con- sequence the first two words of the inscription are not strictly correct. 45 ) TEWm. On aisle floor. I. — Figure of a man, arms, and inscription — " Here lyeth buried the body of Thomas Pygott Gent : whose ancestors have remayned dwellinge in this towne this 300 yeares & vpwards he died the 11 of Janvary 1610 & iti the 70 yeare of his age & lefte behinde him 2 davghters . Kebekah the wife of Henry Bull of Hertforde Gent & Elizabeth the wife of Beckingham Boteler of this towne of Tewinge Gent." The man is wearing long civil robes and has a ruflf round his neck. The coat of arms has upon it three picks, which seem to imply a rebus on the name of Pi^ott or Picott. Thomas Pigott gave by his will (1610) the rent of a shop at Hitchiu for the benefit of the pom- of Tewin, which being sold and invested yields about £4 per year. The family of Pygott, according to the inscrip- tion on the brass, seems to have been somewhat ancient and old established in Tewin, and probably resided at Queen Hoo Hall, which is an old mansion in the parish. A William Bull was rector of St. Andrew's, Hertford, in 1644, and perhaps was related to the above named Henry Ball, who is mentioned as a free- holder of the borough of Hertford in 1621, and was also a justice of the peace. The Boteler family are connected with the parishes of Stapleford and Watton, and resided principally at Woodhall Park. WALKERN. On floor of aisle. I. — Man and woman, one shield, and liand pointing to a scroll. The man is dressed in the costume of a civilian, and wears a rosary ; the woman has a dress trimmed with fur, with a kerchief falling over her shoulders. The scroll was inscribed — " Lerne to dee % lif ev. " and was in existence in 1849, but is now gone. There were originally two shields, but one only now remains, which has the arms of Humberstoue. The inscription is gone, so that there is nothing to show who these two figures represent, but most likely they are a Humber- stoue and his wife, as the remaining shield bears their arms. Haines gives the date as about 1480, but does not mention the shield or hand with scroll. The Humberstones lived at Walkern Park for several generations, and many inscriptions to their memory are found in the church in brass and stone, the latest bearing the date of 1627, after which they seem to have left the neighbourhood. An Edward Humber- stone was an " assistant " in the borough of Hertford in 1663. In Henry V.'s reign, about 1420, John Huniberstone is described as a yeoman of Walkern, as able to expend £10 per annum. At Baldock the name was used as a Christian name in 1613 and afterwards. Tiie name of Humberstone, or Humerston, is found in the register books of the parish of Aston, which is near ' Walkern. William Huinberston, of Digswell, was patron of the living of Walkern in 1612, and sold it I in 1616 to a grocer in London. In 1428 John Humberston was appointed keeper of the park and warren of Walkerne, with wages of twopence per day. In 154-5 Thomas Humberstoue's name appears in the parish of Yardley as possessing goods worth £17. II. — Man and wife, shield, five sons and three daughters, and inscription under — " Here lyeth Buryed y*^ bodye of Edward Humbarstone Sonne of John Humbarstone Gent, who maryed Annas the davghter of Edward Welche % had Issve by her v sonnes and iii davghters and deceassed the xs daye of May in y® yere of or lord God. 1583." The man is dressed in robes trimmed with fur, and the lady wears a ruff and has a handkerchief hanging down on her shoulders. The above brasses are all palimpsests, and seem to have been portions of a Flemish brass which at an earlier period adorned some- one else's tomb. The figure of the man has at the back a plain, bold engraving of a man's face, with the words " Gryle die ai? tl " in an ornamented border. On the reverse of the woman, in parts of a scroll and ornamented with a dragon and ttowers, are the words "bav-lavlv," " Sepvltvere," " ly favlt ." The inscription has on its other side a small figure of a child and parts of figures of two other children, and a portion of an inscription in a scroll, with ornaments of leaves, &c., with the words " int. ia ." The backs of the children have " a wolf's head," with a scallop shell and some "fleur de lis," &c. The shield has on its reverse leaves and flowers and part of a sci'oll, with inscription in bold figures, " .CCCCLXXIIII.," this giving the date to the original brass of 1474, which was cut into eleven pieces and re-used at Walkern in 1583 ! ! The widow Annas, or Agnes, afterwards married George Chauncy, of Gilston, and was his second wife. This George Chauncy was the grandfather of Sir Henry Chauncy, the historian of the county. Edward Welch, the father of Annas Humberstone, lived at Much, or Great, Wymondley. John Welch, by will dated 1623, left some money to the poor of the parishes of Great Jind Little Wymondley. III. — Figures of a Woman and children, with in- scription under — " Here rests (in hope of a ioyfull resurrection) the bodies of William Chapman cittizen and haberdasher of liondon, and Anne his wife, by whom he had issve 6 sonnes and 6 davghters, he depted this life the 27 of Sepembr 1621 ictatsutc 71 & She exchanged this life for immortallitie the 23tli of April! 1636 iEtatis Suio 76." Chauncy says there is the figure of a man also, and Haines gives the figure as being in existence, but it is now missing. The lady is habited in a long cloak, and wears a ruff. The six sons on one plate are all dressed alike, in cloaks and knee breeclies, except one, who wears a ruff in addition, and are of various heights ; 12 and the six daugliters on the other plate are also all dressed alike in plain dresses, with caps and collars, and one of these has a ruff instead of a collar, which perhaps denotes that she was the eldest, and they are also of various heights. A John Chapman was rector of Willian, near "Walkein, in 1606, and died in 162-1. A Thomas Chapman was a resident of Stevenage, and made a will in 1667 leaving property to the poor of that place. A token was issued by Thomas Chapman, of Walkern, dated 1667. IV.— Inscription only — " Here lyeth bvried vnder this stone the body of llychard Humberstone the sonne of John Humberstone who Deceassed the viith day of March in y^ yere of of Lord God 1581." The brass upon which this inscription is engraved is a palimpsest, and upon the reverse is also part of an inscription, dated 1370, which is somewhat remarkable and interesting, and is described in I^o. VII. This Richard appears to have been a brother of Edward in No. II., and lived at "Walkern Park, and left a son named John, who is mentioned in No. VI. Neither Haines nor Cbauncy seem to have noticed this plate. V. — Inscription — " Here lieth the body of "William Bramfeilde gentle- man svm- tyni stvdient of Grayes Inn who had two wyves Ann and Marce and had Issve by ye fyrste vi sonnes and X da- vghters. % by y° seconde v Davghters who deceased ye viiitli day of December An° 1596, beinge of the age of LX and V yeares." In Clothall Church, a few miles from Walkern, is a brass to a woman, and inscription under, stating that the first wife was buried at Clothall, and also that she had sixteen children (six sons and ten daughters), which is corroborative of the facts mentioned above, and showing that probably William Bramfeilde removed from Clothall to Walkern after his first wife's decease, and was buritd there. The first wife was descended from the family of Byll, of Ashwell, and was a daughter of John Bill, or Byll, who by his will dated 5 March, 1557-8, named William Bramfeilde as one of his executors, and his wife was a legatee. VI. — Inscription (partly destroyed) — " [Here lyeth the] body of John Humberstone ye sonne [of Eychard HJumberstone late of Walkearne parke [who had two] wyves he had issve by them bothe [and departed] the vith days of October in the [year of our ] lord God 1590." This inscription seems to have been perfect at the time Chauncy wrote his history, as he quotes it in full. The Eicbard Humberstone mentioned here has an inscription to his memory in this church (No. IV.) In 1553 an inventory of the furniture and ornaments of .Walkern Church was made, and the articles were delivered into the hands of the above John Homerston, ( 46 ) or Humberstone, for safe keeping. The Iluraberstone's also seem to have been connected with the Bill's, of Ashwell, as a John Bill, of that place, who died in 1503, among other legacies named in his will stated, " I gyve to Elizabeth humbston oone of my dovghters vli." VII. — Palimpsest. Fragment of an inscription at the back of a brass to llychard Humberstone, 1581 (No. IV.) — " [Ve]rmibus esca datur Lovekyn caro pulchra [Johannis] [Bi]s fuithic major itcrum bis Rege iube[nte Obiit] [A]nno milleno ter. C. cum septuageno [Cuj &c.]" The two ends of this inscription have been cut off, but enough remains to show that it was originally fixed on the tomb of John Lovekin in 1370, and afterwards removed from it and re-fixed in Walkern Church in 1581. In Stow's "Survey of London" John Lofkin is described as a stock-fishmonger, and was four times mayor of London. " He built the Church of St. Michael in Crooked Lane, and was buried there in the Choir under a fair tomb, with the images of him and his wife in alabaster." This tomb was probably defaced about 1562, when others in this church were desecrated. John Lovekin was Lord Mayor of London in the years 1318, 1358, 1365, and 1366, during the reign of Edward III. In 13-13 he was chosen one of the sherift's of London and Middlesex, and in 1347 and 1365 he represented the City of London in Parliament. In 1365 and 1366 he was appointed mayor by command of the King, as stated in the inscription. A John Lovekyn, as executor of Adam Lovekyn, gave twenty marcs to the Abbey of St. Alban about 1349. The church of St. Michael, Crooked-lane, was demolished to make room for the approaches to London Bridge about 1830. It was built by Christopher Wren. John Lovekyn was a descend«nt of Edward Lovekyn, a townsman of Kingston, in Surrey, in 1309, and they were both benefactors to that town. John Lovekyn left several donations to it by his will, and one of his executors married his widow and succeeded to his business, having been his apprentice. William de Walworth, who was afterwards a Lord Mayor of London, and the slayer of Wat Tyler, was also buried in St. Michael's Church. Haines only mentions Nos. I., II., III., and Chauncy Nos. III., v., !VI., but Cussans notices all of them, and gives the above account of John Lovekin; with a facsimilie of both sides of the brass. ' WARE. On floor near pulpit. I. — A lady. This brass is much worn, and no in- scription appears to denote who the figure represents. The lady has her hair plaited or waved, and it hangs down over her shoulders. She wears a long dress trimmed at the bottom with fur and buttoned down the front. Haines gives the date as about 1400. ( 47 ) ir. — A lady and inscription — " Orate pro fiia Elene quonda filie Johis Coke et Margerie Consortis sue. Et pro alubus Willi Bramble et Eicardi War- bulton nup viroru ejus et "Willi Bramble filij sui que qui dem Elena obijt vicesimo sexto die mensis Octobris ana° dni Millirao CCCCliiij. Quor' aTabus ppiciet deus ame Jeli." She wears a long dress -with sleeves trimmed with fur, and has a head-dress falling on her shoulders. This Elene Coke by her first husband, "William Bramble, had, a son also named "William Bramble. She mariied secondly Eichard "Warburton. The name of Coke, sometimes spelt Cok, Cock, or Cocks, appears in many parishes in the county at various times. A John Cok was rector of Buckland in 1391; John Cocks or Coke held the manor of Anstey in 1544 ; Alexander Cocks was rector of Aspenden in 1525 ; John Coke held the manor of Thorley in 1653, and was married to the daughter of Sir Thomas and Mary Leventhorp, of Sawbridge- worth, and had a daughter Mary, who married John Fanshawe, of "Ware Park ; the brasses of John Cok and his wife, about 1490, are in "Wormley church; Bernard Cok was rector of Caldecote in 1352; the name of Thomas Kok appears at Ash well in 1546; John Cok was rector of Cottered in 1335, and Henry Cok in 1341 ; "^'"iliiam Cock was a freeholder in North- church in 1561 ; &c. A Sir Peter "Watburton is mentioned by Chauncy as a baronet of Cheshire, and married a daughter of a Thomas Docwra, a burgess of the borough of St. Albans, about 1603. A brass to Anne, wife of Sir Edward Fiton and daughter of Sir Peter "Warburton, of Areley, Cheshire, 1573, is in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. On floor of centre aisle, III. — Man and two wives, with ten children each, and inscription — " Orate p aia Willi Pyrry et Agnet ac alicie uxor' ei' quiqdem Willnis obiit die A"^ dm mcccclxx . qr aiabz ppicietur deus. Amen." This brass was probably laid down during the life of the man after he had married his second wife, and the date of his decease has not been inserted. He is re- presented in plain civilian costume, and his wives are dressed alike in robes trimmed with fur, wearing gauntlets and tight sleeves, and having the peculiar head-dress of that period. Each wife seems to have presented her husband with an equal number of children, no l