Tomb of Cecil Talbot in the churchyard of St Nicholas

The tomb of Cecil Talbot, dating from 1720, is located a short distance to the north-west of St Nicholas Church. It is made of grey stone, or possibly weathered marble, and is designed as a sarcophagus with pedestal feet on a panelled base. The west and east ends are coved, featuring projecting sloping panels on the north and east sides. Above is a cornice with a bold oversailing torus moulding that supports a shallow pyramidal lid.

The west and east ends are adorned with the Talbot and Matthews family arms in cartouches, while the projecting north and south faces display inscriptions. There are two repairs to the stonework, one on the north face and one on the south face. The north face bears the inscription: “In memory of M[…] CECIL TALBOT / Only daughter & heir of CHARLES MATTHEW / Of Castle y. Menich in ye County of Glamorgan Esqr ; And wife of CHARLES TALBOT Barrister at Law / To whom She bore five sons, and left four surviving; / She died in this parish on the 13th of June 1720, / And chose this place for her grave / in the 28 year of her Age.”

The south face features a lengthy tribute that highlights her quick apprehension, ready wit, solid judgement, and sweetness of temper, along with her dedication to her family and country. It concludes with a call to posterity to seek grace to imitate her virtuous example.