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NAME TYPE MATERIAL DATE William Roberts Recumbent knight Alabaster 1634

Bearded, Sir William's bare head lies on a tasselled embroidered cushion with hands uplifted in prayer. He is depicted wearing a ruff and armour. The monument to his two wives, which now stands on the wall over the tomb, depicting them kneeling at a double prayer desk, was originally on the east end of the tomb-chest. There are two inscriptions on the chest. That on the eastern end (originally on the north side) reads: Here lyeth interred the body of Sir William Roberts knight. Who in his lifetime being devoted both to Hospitality and Charity among other memoriable he left workes out of a pious mind an Hospitale for sixe poore men adjoyning this churchyard and endowed it with thirty pounds annually in land for their maintenance forever. The inscription tablet on the south side has a bunch of figs on either side, while the west baluster shows a bell behind which are a crossed spade and pick, both being symbols of the resurrection. This Sir William Roberts was sonne of Thomas Roberts gent and married to his first wife Katherine, daughter of Richard Elkington gent and to his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Valentine Hartopp gent: but by neither had issue. Hee lived 79 years and died Anno Domini 1633 Februar 24.   The west end of the chest has the Roberts arms with mantling and a tiger's head crest, beneath which are the double doors which symbolise the border between earth and heaven. Roberts was a great benefactor of the neighbourhood. Not only did he rebuild the Manor House, which stands opposite the church, and the alms-houses, which bear his arms (Per pale argent and gules, a lion rampant sable), now a restaurant, east of the church, but he also gave £30 to be lent yearly to six tradesmen of Hinckley at tenpence in the pound interest. The tomb, which was executed in his lifetime, has been moved several times and now stands by the chancel north wall. Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1619, Sir William's second wife Elizabeth was the widow of George Bale of Carlton Curlieu. He died leaving no children. 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.