Group Of 160 Headstones To North East, East And South East Of Church Of St Mary

Group of 160 Headstones to North East, East and South East of Church of St Mary

A group of 160 headstones occupies the area to the north east, east and south east of the parish Church of St Mary. To the north, the area extends eastwards from the north porch and northwards for approximately 10 metres. It extends east from the chancel for approximately 10 metres. To the south, its west boundary is in line with the chancel south door, and it extends southwards for about 8 metres.

The majority of the headstones date from the later 17th century to the early 19th century. They are notable for high relief carving on many of the stones and for unusual decorative motifs, both features uncommon to county limestone. Unless otherwise indicated, all face west.

The headstones display considerable variation in style and subject matter, grouped as follows:

Group A comprises a row of four stones facing east. Two southern ones are illegible. The stone of Ann, wife of Charles Baxter, who died in 1748, features a putto head with scrolls and flowers. The stone of Charles Baxter, who died in 1718(?), shows a heart and cross-bones(?) within a strapwork cartouche.

Group B is a row of five stones. The stone of Nickolas Phips, Junior, who died in 1713, has an inscription framed by draperies forming a canopy, surmounted by a flaming urn with flanking reclining putti. The stone of Nickolas Phips, who died in 1719, similarly features an inscription framed by draperies forming a canopy, surmounted by a flaming urn and reclining putti. The stone of Joan, wife of Nickolas Phipp, who died in 1729, shows a festoon and swags surmounted by winged putto heads.

Group C is a single headstone from the later 18th century. The inscription is illegible and framed by swags. An angel in profile blows a trumpet and holds a palm branch, surrounded by clouds and putto heads.

Group D is a single headstone of Eliz. Cremer, who died in 1703. It features deeply carved scrollwork to the sides and a bat-winged skull to the top, flanked by cross-bones and crossed coffin and spade.

Group E is a single headstone of Edmund Halfhyde of Cambridge, an apothecary who died in 1719. It displays a domed corona from which hang draperies forming a canopy, with winged putto heads (the right-hand one damaged).

Group F comprises a row of headstones immediately east of the chancel, mainly from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, with many relating to members of the Atkinson family. They are characterised by deeply carved scrollwork framing and skulls to the top (some in profile), with additional motifs such as cross-bones, crossed coffins, spades and hourglasses and canopies formed by swags. At the right-hand end are several late 18th and early 19th century stones of two types: an inscribed medallion in front of a squat obelisk, flanked by palm fronds; and swags forming a canopy, surmounted by an angel blowing a trumpet and holding a palm branch, with clouds and putti to the background.

Group G comprises a second row of headstones east of the chancel, mainly from the late 17th to mid 18th centuries, with many relating to the Reade and Phips families. The earlier ones are in high relief and display a variety of styles and motifs, such as skulls, cross-bones and putto heads with swags. The later ones feature winged putto heads flanked by hourglasses and open books.

Group H comprises a third row of headstones east of the chancel, mainly from the early 18th to early 19th centuries, with many relating to the Rugeley and Merrall families. At the right-hand end are two early stones: William Chambers, who died in 1695, and Ann Chambers, who died in 1701. These are so deeply carved that the top parts are almost sculpted in the round; the former shows a skull, the latter a winged putto head, skulls and swags. Several early to mid 18th century stones depict weeping reclining putti, holding torches and partially wrapped in draperies of a canopy above them. The late 18th to early 19th century stones are taller than average, all having a circular inscribed medallion suspended in front of a squat obelisk, flanked by flaming urns and palm fronds.

Group I comprises a fourth row east of the chancel, consisting of mid 18th to early 19th century headstones of two types. The earlier ones show weeping reclining putti holding torches and partially wrapped in draperies of a canopy above them. The later ones have a circular inscribed medallion suspended in front of a squat obelisk, flanked by flaming urns and palm fronds.

Group J is a row of three headstones: Richard Livett (1761?), Rowland Livett, who died in 1831, and Susan Livett, who died in 1821. All have swagged draperies forming canopies.

Group K is a row of three headstones: John Ward, Brazier, who died in 1711(?), Elizabeth Warde, who died in 1712(?), and Thomas Warde, who died in 1729(?). All have large lettering with scrollwork and foliate surrounds.

Group L is a row of three headstones: Ann Kitchin, who died in 1795(?), John Kitchin, who died in 1790, and Gilbert Kitchin, who died in 1786(?). All feature winged putto heads and foliage.