Group Of Ten Monuments About 5 Metres North Of Chancel In Churchyard Of Church Of St Mary The Virgin

Group of ten limestone chest tombs located approximately five metres north of the chancel in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary the Virgin. Dating from the late 17th to late 19th century, the tombs are arranged in three rows running from west to east.

Row A contains one tomb. Row A, Tomb 1 is an unidentified monument of late 17th-century date with a flat top, moulded plinth and capping. The sides and ends are plain, constructed from pieced blocks of different sizes, with an indecipherable inscription to the west.

Row B contains five tombs. Row B, Tomb 1 commemorates Thomas Packer (died 1753) and other members of the Packer family. It features a tall moulded plinth and capping on a plain base, quarter baluster corners, and a fluted frieze. The end panels are plain and fielded; the sides have rectangular panels with low relief floral carving in the corners and inscriptions in the centre. The top is a stepped tent top with curved edges, rising to a longitudinal roll moulding. The tomb was partially overgrown at the time of survey in March 1985.

Row B, Tomb 2 is for the Iles family, with Elizabeth's death in 1779 being the earliest decipherable date. It is square in plan with a tall moulded plinth and capping, quarter baluster corners, and inscription panels on all sides with low relief arabesque surrounds. The stepped pyramidal base is topped with a central urn finial on a stepped base. The top was badly eroded to the east and north and partially overgrown at survey.

Row B, Tomb 3 is unidentified, dated 1754. It has a moulded plinth and capping on a base, quarter baluster corners, plain end panels, and fielded side panels with indecipherable inscriptions to the north and west. The cap is concave moulded with an additional projecting moulding, rising to a short longitudinal roll moulding. It was partially overgrown at survey.

Row B, Tomb 4 commemorates Amy of the Iles family (died 1743, the earliest decipherable date). It features a moulded plinth and capping with indented corners, fielded end panels, and sides divided into two fielded panels. Inscriptions are partially legible. The tent top has a flattened upper surface.

Row B, Tomb 5 is an unidentified bale tomb of very early 18th-century date. It has a moulded plinth and capping on a base, recessed end and side panels with incised spirals flanking the side panels. A long inscription on the north side is indecipherable, and remaining inscriptions are nearly obliterated. The flat top is surmounted by a twisted spiral bale. It was partially overgrown at survey.

Row C contains four tombs. Row C, Tomb 1 is for the Iles family, late 18th century. It has a moulded plinth and capping on a tall base, quarter baluster corners, plain end panels with fluted corners, and sides with fielded ovals featuring low relief floral carved spandrels. Inscriptions are obliterated. The long low tent top was partially overgrown at survey.

Row C, Tomb 2 is for the Iles family, with Ann's death in 1850 being the earliest decipherable date, though the monument is probably early 19th century. It features a moulded plinth and capping on a tall base, quarter baluster corners, plain end panels with fluted corners, and sides with flush oval panels displaying low relief floral carved spandrels. Inscriptions are mostly indecipherable. The long low tent top remains visible.

Row C, Tomb 3 commemorates Richard of the Iles family (died 1789, the earliest decipherable date). It has a moulded plinth and capping on a tall base, recessed rectangular end panels and recessed side panels with flanking fluted strips. The stepped and curved tent top rises to a longitudinal roll moulding.

Row C, Tomb 4 is unidentified, dating to the early 18th century. It has a moulded plinth and wide capping with indented corners. The end panels are shield-shaped with foliage relief on the returns; the recessed rectangular side panels have quadrant corners. Inscriptions are indecipherable. The top comprises a moulded cap surmounted by a shallow rectangular block with a gadrooned edge.