Group of three monuments 2m north of Church of St Matthew

A group of three chest tombs in the churchyard of the Church of St Matthew. They are situated on the north side of the church, about 2m north of the vestry. The earliest tomb is mid-C17 and the other two are C18.

DESCRIPTION: the tombs are of dressed stone, probably limestone. From south to north, the tomb nearest the church has an oblong chest with a replacement cover slab upon which is inscribed in raised lettering: THE TOMB / OF / THOMAS MYDLEHAM / VICAR OF THIS PARISH / 1595 – 1647. An inscription to the south face of the chest is badly decayed but most probably records the death of Hannah Crooker, daughter of Thomas, who died in 1622. The middle tomb of Edward and Martha Band has a chamfered plinth, pilasters to side panels, a moulded cornice and a projecting, dressed cover slab with moulded edges. On the east face is a weathered inscription which is only partly legible. The third tomb is also probably C18 and of unknown dedication. It had collapsed prior to 1987 (date of listing), and its chamfered cover slab has been placed directly on top of the moulded plinth; the chest slabs are missing. No inscriptions are visible.