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NAME TYPE MATERIAL DATE Thomas and Hellen Farnham Recumbent knight and lady Alabaster by Richard Parker 1562:1570. Restored in 1739 by Peter Scheemakers

At the west end of the north aisle, Thomas is represented with curly hair and a long beard. His head rests on a helmet, which carries the crest of an eagle holding a rabbit in its claws. Thomas is depicted wearing armour with a surcoat on which the device of a crescent may be discerned. Round his neck hangs a double chain from which depends a cross, which is held in the clasped hands. A sword lies by his right side while a pair of gauntlets lie by the left leg. A dog lies by the square-toed shoes. Hellen is represented dressed in a long faced gown with a fringe at the hem and ruffs at the wrists. She has a close cap on her head, which is resting on a double cushion with tassels. Over her gown she is wearing a long mantle with decorative buttons. Round the neck are a ruff and a triple chain. On the west end of the tomb-chest are the couple's two sons, while two of the daughters are on the north side with the third at the east end. The five children are holding large shields, each bearing the same arms: Qly. Or and azure in chief two crescents counter-charged (Farnham). Impaling Qly. 1st and 4th Argent, cross flory between four birds sable (Chaloner). 2nd and 3rd Vert, a chevron ermine between three wolf's heads erased argent (Evans). The inscription on the south side of the chest reads: Here lye the remains of Thomas Farnham esq. Teller of the Exchequer in the Reign of Queen Mary, who, having purchased the Mannour of Stoughton left it to his daughter Katherine (afterwards married to Sir Thomas Beaumont knight) and died September the 4th 1562. And Hellen his widow, daughter of Roger Chaloner Esq. She died January 8th, 1569. In grateful remembrance of these their worthy Ancestors this tomb decayed by time and defaced by sacrilegious hands was re-edified and repaired by the direction of Arabella and Christiana Beaumont and William Busby 1739. Peter Scheemakers's restoration included the re-cutting of the heads, the corner pilasters and the removal of the original inscription. Although the creation is somewhat marred by the unsightly red grains of the alabaster it was originally painted so this would not have been visible when the monument was first erected. 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.