top of Clay tomb: John, Mary (first wife) and Margaret (second wife)
side of Clay tomb: left to right – Penelope, Mary, Susannah
end of Clay tomb: left to right – William and Theophilus From Glover Directory of 1833 On the left side of the chancel there is an altar tomb of alabaster. The inscription, which is almost defaced, is on the slab at the top. The name of Clay is to be seen in several places; and from the arms thereon, it seems to have been erected to a person of the name of Clay, his two wives, and their five children. There are three shields, the middle one is Parti per pale Baron, and two femees per fesse. 1st, Clay. Argent, a chevron engrailed, between three trefoils, Sable, impaling two coats per fesse, being his two wives; 1st, in chief, Calton, Or, a saltier, engrailed, between four cross crosslets, Sable; 2nd, in base, Ferrers, vaire, Or and Gules. On the right hand and left of this shield there are two single shields, one of Calton, and the other of Ferrers. The side and end presented to view have five kneeling figures, being children of the above Clay; over each is inscribed their names, 1st, Susannah; 2nd, Mary; 3rd, Penelope, nupta erat Thomas Brailsford, senior; and on the end William and Theophilus. This monument to the Clays appears to have been erected to the memory of John Clay, esq. who died in 1632, and Mary, his first wife, daughter of William Calton, of Calton, esq. Chief Cock Matcher and Servant of the Hawks to Henry VIII. and widow of ...... Charnels, of Snareston, esq. She died in 1583: his second wife was the widow of German Pole, esq. and daughter of Edward Ferrers, of Tamworth, esq. |
