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NAME TYPE MATERIAL DATE Thomas and Eleanor Babington Mural Alabaster by Royley 1567:1570

On the east end of the north wall this mural monument depicts the figures of Thomas and Eleanor Babington. They are shown kneeling on cushions before prayer desks that are separated by a central Corinthian column. Thomas, on the left, is wearing a long beard, double chain round his neck, short armour, a diagonal sword belt and a ruff. Behind him are the couple's five sons: Humfrey, Matthew, Edmond and Zachary – the name of the fifth is unknown. Eleanor, on the right, is dressed in a black coif and rich gown. Behind her are her four daughters: Margaret, Jane and Mary – the name of the fourth is unknown. Notable for the thinness of the kneeling figures, the monument, which still retains some of the original paint, is bordered by classical Corinthian columns and a pediment. Above each of the two sets of figures, suspended from the cornice are two unidentifiable animal heads. Above the figures, in a gable, are the arms Argent, ten torteaux, in chief a label of three points azure (Babington) Argent, a fess vairy or and gules between three water-bourgets sable (Dethick) impaling Azure, semy-de-lis, a lion rampant or (Beaumont). Complete with mantling, the arms are surmounted by the Babington crest: a dragon's head between two dragon wings gules. Beneath the achievement are two small shields. On the east side of the gable are the same arms as above but without the crest. On the west side are the arms Qly 1. and 4. Gules, on a cross bottony pierced argent, charged with four escalopes sable (Humphrey) 2. and 3. Azure, a cross or between four leopard's faces argent (Kingston). Beneath the figures is the inscription: Hic jacent corpora Thomĉ Babington nup de Tempe Rotheley, armigeri qui obiit xxvii die mensis Octobris anno Dni 1567. Alianorae uxoris ejus unius filiarum Richardi Humfreye quĉ obiit an Dmi 1570 quoerum animae beatissimi ac charissimi Christi dementia Abrahami sinu coetu fidelium aeterna pace quiescant. (Here lie the bodies of Thomas Babington esquire of Rothley Temple who died on the 27th day in the month of October in the year of our Lord 1567. Eleanor, his wife, one of the daughters of Richard Humphrey who died in the year of our Lord 1578. May the souls of these faithful rest in eternal peace by the clemency of the most blessed and most dear Christ in the bosom of Abraham.) Thomas, born in Cossington, was Rothley's lord of the manor. Eleanor, his wife, was born in Barton, Northamptonshire. Their daughter Jane is memorialised in St John the Baptist, Heather 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.