Wistow: St Wistan |
|
  Sir Richard's head is supported by his right elbow, which is resting on a tasselled cushion. He is depicted in armour, a long curly wig, small beard and moustache. Wearing a leather gorget and wide shoulder guards, his sword is in a diagonal sword belt. On the legs are riveted lames thigh guards and lower leg hinged guards.   On each side kneel representations of Richard's two sons, Andrew and George, both in armour and flowing wigs. Their swords are now broken.   Pilasters and a segmental pediment border the back wall. On each side, outside the pilasters, stands a putto; the one on the left is holding a crown (the symbol of the baronetcy), while the one on the right holds a skull (a symbol of death).  Over the whole composition stand three urns out of which flames emerge. In the centre, above the inscription, is the Halford coat of arms: Argent, a greyhound passant sable, on a chief azure three fleurs-de-lis or. Crested by a greyhound's head sable collared or. The inscription reads:
Here also lye ye bodies of Andrew Halford of Kilby, esq, who departed ys life Septemb. 8th, Anno Dom 1657, aged 55 yeares: and of George Halford of Turlangton, gent, who departed this life August 18, Anno Dom 1659, aged 54 yeares. 'Weep not to read so many Worthies dead, but weep to see so few left in their stead.' Hence profane axes, hammers, all the dire Engines of cursed heathenish deformation; no superstitious Baalite did inspire Us to adore our Father's generation: 'Twas humble duty to our aged Sire and Honour'd parents laid the first foundation. Pass not the pikes, touch not the sacred tomb; unless you turn it, there to read your doom. 'Tis death to wrong the dead; such sacriledg dreadful is as Achan's golden wedge. In this triennial visitation see death crush the splendour of our family: the crest is couchant, the supporters bend. Our honour lies in the dust, and from that end there's little to preserve but memory and we poor nothings: May that sacred Three so bless us with his grace, that ours and we May raise a monument to eternity! Sic flevit et oravit Thomas cum Richardo Halford, anno D'ni 1659. In 1640 Sir Richard, who was High Sheriff for Leicestershire, was, on the complaint of a Freeholder of the County, charged with a Breech of Privilege for words spoken against Sir Arthur Hasilrige after Hasilrige had been elected one of the county's MPs. Halford's remarks concerning Hasilrige included the comment that the electors had chosen a man for Knight of the Shire who had more will than wit, and that it was to the disparagement of the county that he had been elected. For this the House of Commons committed him to the Tower. In December 1641 King Charles advanced Halford to the dignity of a baronet. The following June Charles named Halford in the Commission of Array which was sent into Leicestershire. This empowered Halford to arm himself and to raise forces 'for the defence of the King and Country against their enemies'. Halford was intensely loyal to the King, who stayed at Wistow whenever he was in the county. Indeed the royal party slept at Wistow Hall before and after the Battle of Naseby. The Parliamentarians who, under the pretence of seeking the King repeatedly plundered Wistow Hall, detested Halford, who not only entertained the monarch but also supplied him with large sums of money. Richard Halford died in 1658 two years before the restoration of his beloved royal family.  
Sepulchral Effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland
This website does not gather or store any visitor information.
|