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Notts monumental brasses (2)

By Mr Joseph Bramley

Merchants' mark of Edmund Sheffeld, in North Wheatley (1445).

MERCHANTS’ MARK OF EDMUND SHEFFELD. 1445.
CHURCH OF SS. PETER & PAUL, NORTH WHEATLEY.

This merchants’ mark of Edmund Sheffeld, with the inscription under it, is to be found in the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, North Wheatley. It was moved there from West Burton Church, near by, when this church was pulled down a few years ago.

No trace can now be found of any connection between the Sheffeld family and West Burton.

It is unfortunate, also, that the early records of the Vintners’ Company, to which Sheffeld possibly belonged, were destroyed in the great fire of London, otherwise some information could probably have been obtained about him.

The inscription has been slightly mutilated in the removal, as part of the day of his death is now in­complete, as is likewise the word “Amen.”

“Hic jacet Edmundus Sheffeld quondm civis t Vinutario londin qui obiit X
die ffebruarii anno dni millmo ccccxlv cujus anime ppicietur deus A”

The following account is fixed in the church, close to the mark and inscription :— “Monumental Brasses: Merchants Marks (11, 124, 240, 152).

“I enclose you a copy of the Merchants Mark of Edmund Sheffeld Citizen and Vintner of London of the date of 1445 from a Brass at West Burton Co. Notts which seems to have escaped your notice. The inscription is as follows: ‘Hic jacet Edmundus Sheffeld, quondam civis et Vinutario Londin, qui obiit xviii die Februarii, anno dni. milmo ccccxlv cuius Anime ppicietur deus Amen’ 1441. In a recovery (Mich 20 H vi r. 124) Katherine who had been the wife of William Sheffield claimed against Henry Warwick three mess, one toft, four boy, of land in Burton and Stretton in the Clay. This is the only other connection of the Sheffields with West Burton that I have come across. Edmund was a commonly used name by the Sheffield family. The brass on which the above inscription is cut had already done duty, and that only 13 years previously. On the other side we find the following:

‘Hic jacet Dna Johna qndm ux Hugonis Cokesey Militis filia dni de Ffornyvale Militis qe obiit xxvi° die Augusti Ano M°ccc°xxxiii° cuius aie ppicietur deus.’ Amen.

“This I take to be Joan one of the daughters and coheirs of Thomas de Nevill (brother to Ralph, first Earl of Westmoreland) Treasurer of England and in right of his first wife Joane (the only daughter of William Lord Furnival), by whom he had a daughter Maud. He married secondly Ankaretta daughter of John le Strange of Blackmere (widow of Richard son of Gilbert Talebot and mother of the famous John Talbot) by whom he had this daughter Joan, who married Sir Hugh Cokesey being his third wife. Dodsworth saw in Sheffield Parish Church, 1620, in the second window on the north side ‘Pray ye for the soule of Hugh Coke—and for the soules of Agnes Ellen and Jone his wives.’ Arms quart erly—Furnival and Nevil.”

Colonel Michael Stanhope, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds (1648).

CHURCH OF ST. MARY AND ALL SAINTS,
WILLOUGHBY-ON-THE-WOLDS.

This memorial brass tablet, which is to be found in the Church of St. Mary and All Saints, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, commemorates Colonel Michael Stanhope, slain at the battle of Willoughby Field on July 5th, 1648. It is 13in. by 11in.

Colonel Stanhope was one of three brothers killed in the war.

The brass shews the hour glass with wings symbolical of Time, and could not have been put in the church till after the Restoration.

In its present position on the floor the brass is subject to considerable wear, and the inscription will soon be quite illegible.

INSCRIPTION.

“Here lyes the BODY of
Collonell MICHAEL STANHOPE who was slayne in Willough­
-by Feild in the Month of Iuly 1648 in the 24th
Yeare of his age being
A Souldier for KING
CHARLES the first.”

George Clifton and his wife, Dame Winifred, Clifton (1587).

GEORGE CLIFTON, ESQUIRE, AND DAME WINIFRED HIS WIFE. 1587 and ?
CHURCH OF ST. MARY, CLIFTON.

These two brasses—of George Clifton and Dame Winifred his wife—are the only specimens in the county of a period of great extravagance in dress.

George Clifton wears his hair short, and his neck is encircled by the usual Elizabethan ruff. His doublet is long and pointed and his trunk hose elaborately brocaded. On his legs he wears tight fitting hose, and on his feet pointed shoes. His short cloak is apparently lined with silk. His rapier hangs from his left side, from a belt which can be seen on the brass.

Dame Winifred is shewn in the costume of the period. On her head is the familiar Paris head-dress, round her neck the ruff. The elaborate embroidery on the under-gown can be seen both on the bodice and where it is exposed by the opening of the long walking or over-gown, which is tied in the front by a bow. The skirt is distended by the farthingale, the forerunner of the crinoline. On the arms are the striped sleeves of the under-gown. She wears slightly pointed shoes on her feet.

George Clifton married Winifred, daughter of Sir John Constable of Kinoulton, and died at the age of twenty years and seven months, leaving a son named Gervase.

The figures are 26¼in. and 26¾in. in height respectively.

INSCRIPTION.

“Here lyeth George Clifton Esquier who was sonne and heire apparant of Sr / Gervis Clifton of Clifton Knight & Dame Wynyfrid his wife who married / Wynyfride ye daughter of Sr Anthony Thorold and dame Anne his wife one of ye / daughters & heires of Sr John Constable of Kynolton Knight which George had / issue by his said wife Gervis Clifton and died at Clifton the fift daie of August / Anno 1587 and was of thage of XX yeres and seven monethes.”

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