DISCOVERY OF MONUMENTAL EFFIGIES AND OTHER ANTIQUITIES IN GONALSTON CHURCH, NOTTS, 1848. COMMUNICATED BY RICHARD WESTMACOTT, JUNIOR, F.R.S.
Being resident for a short time in the autumn of the past year at Gonalston, a small village situated between Nottingham and Southwell, and distant about five miles from the latter, I was anxious to ascertain whether there was any record or tradition, on the spot, of some monumental effigies which formerly existed in Gonalston Church, and which had disappeared since Thoroton described them in 1677. Other antiquaries, more worthy of the title than myself, had felt an interest in the same subject, and I determined to take advantage of the opportunity afforded me to prosecute the inquiry, and literally, to leave no stone unturned, until I had satisfied myself as to the possibility of recovering these monuments.
In Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire (published in 1677) are the following notices under the head of Gunnolston, Gunnovelston, and the Spittle or Hospital of Brodbuske. "There is a charity or hospital founded there by Heriz, called the charity or hospital of Brodbusk, in Gonastun, which, through many patents of concealments, continueth an hospital at this day, and is called Gonalston Spittle .... In Gonaldston Church, three ancient stone-tombs, low on the ground, two of knights cross-leg'd: upon one of their shields, three hedgehogs were embossed; the third is a woman." Thoroton also describes a considerable number of armorial bearings in painted, glass in the windows; of the families of Heriz, (Azure, three hedgehogs or) of Swillington, Roos of Hamlake, Belers, and others not named. The pedigree of Heriz is also given from the time of Robertus de Heriz,[1] to the marriage of Matildis de Heriz,[2] when the name of Heriz no longer appears; the estate being inherited by that lady, and passing to her as the wife of one Richardus de la Rivere. The subsequent history of the property is carried down to the Pierpoints and others, and from them to the family of
