and advowson of Clifton, and he probably devoted a portion of his increased fortune to the improvement of his parish church. For the chancel aisle, or chantry chapel, and other additions and improvements in the church, may be attributed, together with the tomb under consideration, to about the period of his death.
These wooden effigies are hollow, and unconnected with the slabs on which they rest. They have been deeply scooped out, and the cavity left in a rough and jagged state. There can be no certainty that any of them occupy their original position. Those in the recess are evidently of an earlier date than any portion of the sepulchral chapel; and the altar-tomb, on which the others lie, appears to have been shortened, as the end does not correspond with the sides, and is made of unsculptured stones. The tomb probably extended to the pier, which supports the arcade between the chapel and chancel, and was shortened to allow a passage into the chapel when the more modern and splendid tomb was raised, which occupies the whole length of the other arch.
Another monument in the same church remains to be noticed. This is an extremely elegant altar-tomb under the upper or east arch. It is made of a soft white stone, and not of alabaster, as commonly stated. Two recumbent effigies, boldly and elaborately executed, rest upon it. The knight wears a pointed bascinet, camail of chain-mail, a jupon emblazoned with the Reynes arms, reaching scarcely below the hips, and fitting close to the body, the mail hauberk appears about two inches below the surcoat; the legs are defended with plate-armour, knee-pieces, and broad pointed sollerets. The spurs are broken off, but the straps remain; the sword is gone, but an ornamented belt with a richly-chased fastening remains. The dagger is perfect, except the hilt; the hands are in the attitude of prayer, but the greater part of the left arm is broken off. The head rests on a tilting helmet, and the feet on a well-sculptured dog with a collar bearing the name—BO, in letters sculptured in bold relief.[1]
The lady's face is almost lost in her reticulated head-dress
- ↑ This may have been the name of the favourite dog. One of the feet of Brian de Stapylton, as represented on his Sepulchral Brass at Ingham, Norfolk, rests on a dog, near which is a scroll inscribed, JAKKE. A like memorial occurs at Deerhurst, Gloucestershire. The name of the favourite dog of Alicia, wife of Sir John Cassey, is recorded on her tomb at that place as Tirri.
