Looking as if they are sitting in a box at the theatre watching a show,
Matthew and Anne Babington are depicted holding their right hands. The only thing
that takes away the theatrical look is the skull upon which their hands are resting.
Matthew, born in 1612, was MP for the county in 1660. In about 1634 he married Ann,
the youngest daughter of Samson Hopkins of Coventry. Matthew's sister Catherine
was the second wife of John Whatton.
Between the figures are the arms:
Argent, ten torteaux, in chief a label of three points azure (Babington) impaling
Sable, on a chevron argent, between three pistols or, as many roses gules (Hopkins).
At the top of the creation are the crest and arms of Babington.
The inscription reads:
Here lyeth interred neare this place the body of Anne, wife of Matthew Babbington,
of Temple Rothley, in the county of Leicester esq. and daughter of Samson Hopkins, Gent,
and alderman of the citty of Coventry. They had issue four sonnes and eight daughters at 12
single births before the eldest was twelve years and three quarters old, (viz) 1. Thomas, 2. Anne,
3. Matthew, 4. Jane, 5. Elizabeth, 6. Anne, 7. William, 8. Katherine, 9. Elizabeth, 10. Elizabeth,
11. Matthew; the 12th, being a daughter not born alive, proved fatal to her mother, who died
the 7th day after, being the 7th day of June, Anno Dom 1648 in the 33rd year of her age.
Her soul (without flattery) was adorned with a trinitie of divine excellencies, as
rare companions; a sound knowledge, a prudent profession, a sincere and constant practice of
the best religion of the Church of England in all her relations; her body being for beauty
a fit cabinet for such a jewell. In memory of whom, her sad husband erected this monument.
In her both grace and nuture might despaire,
which added most, which had the greatest share.
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
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