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NAME TYPE MATERIAL DATE Roger Smith, his two wives Jane and Ann, son Edward and grandson Roger Recumbent civilian, ladies, knights Alabaster and black marble 1655:1599:1652:1632:1646

At the east end of the south aisle, the three main effigies of this Jacobean monument are on rising tiers. Roger, who is depicted in a gown with fancy sleeve decoration, holds a Bible in his right hand while the left is on his breast. Bearded, he is wearing a cap and lying on a rolled mattress. The lower effigy is that of Ann who died in 1652 and was, according to local tradition, a witch who was able to turn herself into a cat. On one occasion, while she was so transformed, the butler hit her with a cleaver, wounding her in the paw. Upon returning to her human self she still bore the wound mark on her wrist. This is said to be reflected in the dark stain and crack in the alabaster of the effigy. The unromantic reason for the stain, however, is the iron oxide in the alabaster. The other female effigy is of Jane, Roger's first wife, who died in 1599. She has a dog with a coronet round its neck at her feet. Both ladies are lying on their sides, supported by the elbows with their heads resting on cushions. Over all is an arch upon which are displayed Qly. 1st and 4th Gules, on a chevron or between three bezants as many crosses paty fitchy sable (Smith) 2nd and 3rd arzure a fess argent between three hedgehogs passant or (Heriz). On either side is a tall pyramid topped by an urn. At each side of the lower part of the monument, over a niche containing a male demi-figure, are the arms of Smith and Heriz quarterly. On the left is Edward, Roger's eldest son, who died in 1632. On the right is Roger, grandson of Roger and eldest son of Edward, who died in 1646. Both men, with long curly hair, are wearing armour of the time of Charles I. Above the top inscription are three shields of arms Smith impaling gyrony of eight ermine and sable a two-headed eagle or (Goodman) Smith Smith impaling Sable, a chevron ermine between three herons argent (Heron). The inscription reads: Here lieth the grave and religious Sir Roger Smith, knight, Lord of this Manor, and formerly one of the justices of this county; whose worthy parts are adorned with the worth of his descent; whose greate grandfather William Smith, alias Heriz, descended of the ancient family of Heriz, of Wiverton, in the county of Nottingham, is by females passinge throw the names of Ashby, Burdet, Zouch, and Conan Duke of Brittaine, descended from Henry the First, Kinge of England. He dyed anno domini 1655 aged eighty-four years. The lower inscription: This in remembrance of Jane Smith, daughter of Edward Heron of Langtoft in the county of Lincolne, knight, one of the barons of the Exchequer, married to Sir Roger Smith, knight, lord of this manor; by whom she had issue one sonn, named Edward, and a daughter Jane. Dyed anno domini 1599 aged 26 yeares. On the left: Here lyeth the body of Ann Smith daughter to Thomas Goodman of Aldgate, in the county of Middlesex, esq. whose ancestors throw a long continued virtuous lyne, gave being to the famous family of the Goodmans, alias Goosman, in Spaine. She was 2d wife to Sir Roger Smith, and by him had issue sonns and daughters twentie-two. Buried anno dom 1652, aged 66. On the right-hand pedestal: In remembrance of Edward Smith esq, eldest son to Sir Roger Smith; and Elizabeth his wife, daughter to Sir Edward Heron, of Cressy, in the county of Lincolne, Knight of the Bath, by whom he had two sons, Roger and Edward. He dyed at the age of 34 in the year 1632; she died at the age of 31, in the year 1629. On the left-hand pedestal: Near this place lies the body of Roger Smith, eldest son to Edward Smith, esq, who dyed at the age of 19 in the year 1646. In 1621, the year after he had purchased the manor from Sir Henry Berkley, Roger Smith built a new house, which became locally known as the New Hall. He was buried on 15 April 1655, aged 84. Sepulchral Effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland Text copyright Max Matthews 2002. Selected text copyright Bob Trubshaw 2025–6. Images copyright Max Matthews 2002 or Bob Trubshaw 2002, 2025–6. No copying or reproduction without prior written permission. Published by Heart of Albion Press Back to top of this page This website does not gather or store any visitor information.