Group Of 7 Chest Tombs And 2 Headstones Immediately South Of The Church Of St James

A group of seven chest tombs and two headstones is located immediately south of the Church of St James in Long Marston. These tombs date from around 1650 to 1731 and are made of ashlar.

Starting from the east, the two headstones are positioned to the left and right. The left headstone commemorates Richard Webb, who died in 1731, featuring cherubs flanking an open book and a worn inscription. The right headstone is for Mary Webb, who died in 1728, adorned with a cartouche draped with fabric and two flowers above, along with two cherubs below.

Next, there is a line of three chest tombs with chamfered plinths and moulded edges on the top slabs. The first chest has plain side panels, while the next two, possibly from the mid-17th century, feature plain balusters, round-headed end panels with keys and architraves, and friezes over the side panels with worn inscriptions.

Following this, there is a line of four chest tombs. The first is a large chest with a top slab that has a moulded edge and a coffin form on top, displaying the Loggin arms and crest on one end and a wreathed skull on the other. The second chest has a plain design with compass-inscribed patterns and fleur-de-lys on the ends. The third is a low plain chest, possibly dedicated to John Locke, who died in 1714. The final chest, possibly for Sarah Fletcher, who died in 1721, features a moulded edge on the top slab, which is decorated with a reeded hemisphere and flanking scrolls, along with rich cartouches on the ends that include a cherub and a wreathed skull.

This collection of tombs reflects the rich tradition of funerary monuments found in the Cotswolds.