Six Monuments Circa 25 Metres North Of Tower In Churchyard Of Church Of St Mary

This listing describes a group of six varied monuments located approximately 25 meters north of the tower in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary. These monuments date from the late 17th century to the mid 18th century and are made of limestone.

The first monument is a mid-18th century pedestal tomb featuring a square shape with a moulded capping on a dentilled frieze supported by four unfluted Ionic columns. It has raised shouldered panels and sits on a two-step base, which was formerly railed. The east face includes a circular panel with raised moulding and decorative carvings, although much of the inscription is not legible. However, it does mention John and Sarah Smith, with the 1879 survey recording John Smith, a maltster, who died in 1743.

The second monument is a mid-18th century hexagonal pedestal tomb with a flat pyramidal capping and a plain frieze over raised shouldered panels, one of which is a 20th-century replacement. It has a moulded base and plinth on a square sub-base. The inscription is not legible, but the 1879 survey records Michael Bridges, a baker, who died in 1745.

The third monument is an oblong pedestal tomb with inset corners, also from the mid-18th century. It features a flat table with a moulded edge, a deep niche with a bust on the west side, and a head and book on the east side, all of which are much worn. There are cartouches on the north and south sides and fielded panels on a moulded base with a platform that was formerly railed. Some lettering on the south side is decipherable, possibly indicating a date of 1711, but the 1879 survey records it as belonging to Revd ...... Bridges, who died in 1741.

The fourth monument is a chest tomb with a thick flat table and a cyma mould edge, featuring lyre ends with cartouches and sunk moulded side panels with decorative pilasters. It has a broad ovolo mould base, and some lettering remains. The 1879 survey records this tomb as belonging to Joan Smith, who died in 1689, which is a plausible date for such a design.

The fifth monument is a headstone located just south of the third monument. It has a shouldered cambered top with a rich decorative surround, including a winged cherub and a sunk panel, though the inscription is not legible.

The sixth monument is another headstone, situated just east of the second monument. It features a cherub, a rococo cartouche, and heavy drapes.

Overall, this group of monuments is characteristic of the imaginative work of the sculptors at Painswick.