Group Of 7 Chest Tombs Immediately North Of Church Of St Andrew

A group of seven chest tombs is located immediately north of the Church of St Andrew in Chippenham. The tombs date from the late 17th century to the early 18th century and feature various architectural details.

The first tomb, approximately 3 meters north of the northeast corner of the north aisle, has a plinth and a cyma-moulded flat top. It is adorned with ogee-based shields with egg-and-dart moulding at each end and two on the sides, which flank pilasters with formal floral carvings and fluted pilasters at the corners.

The second tomb, about 1 meter from the north wall of the north aisle, also dates from the late 17th to early 18th century. It has a plinth and a cyma-moulded flat top, featuring an oval panel on the north side flanked by foliate carvings, and an ogee-based shield on the south side, both sides adorned with carved pleated cloth pendants. The ends have ovolo moulding to raised and fielded panels.

The third tomb, located approximately 3 meters from the north wall of the north aisle, is from the early 18th century. It has a plinth, with the south side similar to the second tomb, while the north side features a long panel flanked by scroll carvings and fluted pilasters, with shields at the ends.

The fourth tomb, about 6 meters from the center of the north aisle, dates from the 17th century and is eroded. It has a plinth with cyma-moulded raised-and-fielded panels flanked by foliate panels on the sides and engaged vase columns at the corner recesses.

The fifth tomb is located approximately 3 meters north of the north door, east of the footpath, and dates from the 18th century. It has a plinth with raised-and-fielded panels, one on each end and two on each side, topped with a tall truncated ashlar obelisk.

The sixth tomb, about 5 meters north of the north door, east of the footpath, is also from the 18th century. It features a plinth with ogee-based shields, one at each end and two on each side, and a cyma-moulded flat top.

The seventh tomb, located approximately 2 meters north of the north door, west of the footpath, dates from the 18th century. It has a plinth and a cyma-moulded flat top, with two ogee-based shields on the sides, a diamond-shaped panel on the east end, and an oval panel on the west end, articulated by carved foliate pilasters. This tomb is also eroded.