MONUMENTAL EFFIGIES
garet Spencer's death in childbed. The head rests on two cushions, rich in flowing arabesques. From the fact, as stated in the inscription, that 'Robert Lord Spencer built this monume't in his life anno 1599,' both effigies must be taken as faithful portraits.
Although not an effigy, the very singular memorial in white marble of Sir Edward Spencer (died 1655), fourth son of Lord Spencer, may not be omitted from these accounts. It consists of a pedestal supporting an urn out of which arises the life-size portrait bust in armour. The urn is flanked on the right and left sides respectively by a square and a round column and of the same height as the urn. The right hand is placed on the heart, the left resting on a book, the action probably signifying that by the aid of the Book the dead man will rise from his funeral urn.
The final sentence of the Latin inscription on the marble urn is as follows:—'Maria uxor charissima monume'tu' hoc ipse ut descripsit viv', honoris et amoris ergo mortuo erexit.'
In one of the 'Note Books' of Nicholas Stone in the Soane Museum is the following entry: 'In ano 1656 I set up a tombe for Sir Edward Spencer att Brainton neare Althrop in Northamptonshire for wᶜʰ I had Li 64.'
Dame Elizabeth Carey. Died 1630. Stowe-nine-Churches.
This beautiful white marble effigy represents Lady Carey in a richly embroidered bodice or gown, and a mantle lined ermine. The head is covered with a coverchief, a feature very characteristic of the works of Nicholas Stone. This is justly considered his masterpiece. It was set up in Lady Carey's lifetime, and must therefore be an accurate portrait. In the sculptor's 'Note Book' in the Soane Museum the following entry occurs: 'The 16th of March, 1617, I undertoke to mak a tombe for my Lady, mother to my Lord Da'vcrs, which was all of whit marbell and touch, and I set it up at Stow of the nine chirches in Northampton some two year after, one altertomb for the wich I had £220.'
Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Nevill Lord Latimer, by Lucy, daughter of Henry Somerset second Earl of Worcester, married first Sir John Danvers, and secondly Sir Edward Carey, third son of Henry Lord Hunsdon. Her own alliances as well as those of her six daughters and her third and youngest son—together with the coats of her two elder sons and her seventh daughter—are displayed on white marble oval shields on the tomb of 'touch.'
Sir William Dove, died 1633, and Dames Frances and Dorothy his wives. Upton, near Peterborough.
Under a large canopied altar-tomb, supported by four Ionic columns, the whole of Barnack rag, lies the effigy of the knight carved in fine red stone, between those of his two wives. He wears the usual armour of his time, and lies upon a platted mattress, rolled up to form a support for the head. The rugged countenance, with its wrinkles and warts, are evidences of an accurate portrait. The figure of Dame Frances is also in fine red stone, and the face clearly a likeness. She wears a falling ruff or band edged with lace, a bodice, and a gown with slashed virago sleeves, lace-edged ruffles, and a coverchief over the head. Dame Dorothy wears a hood à calèche, falling ruff, loose body with narrow bodice, gown and mantle. This elegant portrait effigy is carved in clunch, and doubtless all of them arc the work of Nicholas Stone.
William Lord Spencer, died 1636, and Penelope his wife. Brington.
The tomb of this nobleman is a very stately erection. It consists of a large basement table of black and white marble; upon this is placed a low altar-tomb of 'touch,' sustaining the white marble effigies. Above them rises a lofty canopy supported upon eight Corinthian pillars of black marble with white capitals. On the tomb and canopy are numerous impalements and quarterings of Spencer, and a long Latin inscription at the east end of the tomb. The effigies are very delicately sculptured in every respect, and are of course faithful portraits, having been set up in 1638, twenty-nine years before the death of Lady Spencer. Her noble husband is shown wearing a pique devant beard and a falling band edged with lace. He is habited in peer's robes, well disposed and lined ermine. The badge of the Order of the Bath hangs from a broad ribbon, and a very elegant sword, with an escallop shell at the hilt, lies free on his right. Lady Spencer wears Stone's characteristic coverchief over the head, and a lace collar richly decorated with jewels and SS for Spencer. She is habited in a loose gown with wide sleeves and double lace cuffs, and the mantle of a peeress lined ermine. The hands are long and slender, and the countenance betokens the nobility of her character. The cushions of both effigies are rich with arabesque patterns very beautifully executed. The monument is the work of Nicholas Stone, and his 'Note Book' records that it was erected at the cost of £6oo, the figure of
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