Five Poole Monuments Circa 6 Metres North Of North Aisle In Churchyard Of The Church Of St Mary

These are five chest tombs located approximately 6 metres north of the north aisle within the churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Painswick. They date from the late 17th to late 18th century and are constructed from limestone, set on a common base.

The earliest monument (a) is from the early 18th century. It features a flat table with a cavetto mould, lyre ends with cartouches to the west and three cherubim to the east, a bolection mould panel with supporters to the north, and a cartouche panel to the south, all resting on a broad cavetto base. It commemorates John Poole, with a recorded date of 1755, although the design may be older.

Monument (b), dated to the mid to late 18th century, is a lofty chest tomb with a flat table to a moulded edge and elongated ¼ balusters (now replaced). It includes sunk panels with moulded surrounds to the east and west, a circular panel with raised moulding within a square to the north, and a plain, worn panel to the south, all on a cavetto base. It records William Poole, 1771.

The third monument (c) dates from the late 17th century. It has a thick moulded table with a cyma edge, rounded lyre ends with cartouches, a circular cartouche to the north, and a sunk and moulded panel with embellishment to the south, standing on a broad cavetto base. Much of the inscription is illegible but a date of 1670 is visible on the south side and the 1879 survey also mentions a date of 1658. It commemorates Anthony Poole, 1670.

Monument (d), also from the late 17th century, has a thick moulded table to a cyma edge, rounded lyre ends with cartouches, a circular panel in a cartouche to the north, and a replaced sunk panel to the south, all set on a broad cyma base. The inscription is not legible, but the 1879 survey records John Poole, 1667.

The final monument (e), located closest to the church, is believed to be from the early 18th or late 17th century. It features a broad, thick table to a cyma edge and wide lyre ends richly carved. The north side has a sunk moulded panel with side panels and some lettering, while the south has a rich surround with supporters in high relief, drapes, and ‘green man’ heads, along with some lettering. It also features a cyma base, and commemorates Anne Poole, 1701 (north side), and Richard Poole, 1798 (south side), though the design itself is likely older. This group of monuments is considered very important and demonstrates the effect of weathering within the churchyard.