THE TOMBS & EFFIGIES IN St PETER'S CHURCH ELFORD

The Arderne Tomb ca. 1400

This tomb, ranked one of the best of the period, escaped serious mutilation over the centuries and has been compared in artistic excellence with those of Queen Philippa in Westminster Abbey and of Henry IV and his Queen in Canterbury Cathedral. The only difference is the lack of elaborate canopy heads. The date of the tomb can be calculated from the detail of the carving and the costume of the statues.

The tomb is traditionally assigned to Sir Thomas Arderne (died 1391) and his wife, Matilda, who was daughter and heiress of Sir Richard Stafford of Pipe and Clifton Campville. The co-joined hands, said to indicate marriage to an heiress, strengthens the belief that this is Sir Thomas' tomb. However, the appearance of collars of 'SS' on both effigies (Latin: 'Esse essentia' - to be of importance), not introduced until the reign of Henry IV (1399-1413) would seem to date the monument to the 15th century. Extensive research has concluded that the effigy was commisioned by Sir Thomas' son in memory of his parents, hence the later style.

Sir Thomas, who fought alongside the Black Prince at Crecy and Poitiers, is shown wearing a fine suit of armour. His head rests on a tilting helmet; the crest, a plume of feathers, issuing from a coronet, is encased in a conical bassinet (a light weight inner steel helmet with visor) encircled with an enriched orle (heraldic border around a shield). On the frontal bassinet are the words 'Jesu +Maria'. The neck and shoulders are covered by the ponderous camail, over which appear a collar of 'SS' and small jewels. The body is protected to the hips by an escalloped jupon (padded vest) over a breast plate or 'plastron de fer' and girded or filleted at the waist by a narrow band. The shoulders and arms are protected by epaulieres, brassarts and condieres (elbow pieces) and the left hand which holds the sword by a cuffed gauntlet, all of plate. The gauntlet of the right hand with the finger nails marked upon it and gadlings or raised bosses as a protection to the knuckles, is laid beneath the richly ornamented scabbard. The thighs and legs are encased in cuissarts and jambarts, the feet in jointed sollerets and the knees in genouillieres. Rowel spurs are attached to the heels by enriched straps and round buckles.

On the right side of the figure is a 'misericord' (a dagger used for the final death blow to an adversary, thus showing 'compassion to the heart'). On the left side is a massive sword, sheathed, the handle and scabbard highly ornamented. A lion regardant provides a rest for the feet and at his head are angels supplicatory. Engraved quatrefoil designs ornament the joints and borders of the armour which adds to the richness of the armour.

Lady Arderne's costume is no less grand. Her head lies on two cushions, the upper one held by winged angels. She is wearing a close fitting kirtle with sleeves buttoned to the wrists. She wears a jewelled girdle at her waist concealed, except at the sides, by the super-tunic. This garment is open at the sides, falls in graceful folds and covers the feet. There is a broad quatrefoil pattern along the borders of the upper part. She wears a full length mantle or cloak over everything else held together at the throat by the cordon. She wears a ring on the marriage finger and her right hand is placed in that of her husband's, a ring on her middle finger. On her head is a reticuled caul with circlet, around her neck a collar of 'SS' and jewels and her feet rest on a Spaniel dog.

The sides of the tomb are decorated with panels, showing angels carrying family shields, alternating with figures called 'weepers'. These weepers, who are possible officials, relatives or friends give us a fascinating glimpse into what the best dressed people of late medieval society wore. Two of the men are carrying 'torch-staves' - a spiked wooden pole on which a wax candle was fixed. There are ten statuettes in all.

The Stanley Tomb (1474)

This monument is built from alabaster especially obtained for the purpose from Chelleston Quarries. It was placed in its present position in the Chantry, on a 'table', over 100 years ago. Formerly it was in a recess in the north wall immediately above where it now stands. Because it suffered much damage from dampness and running water it was moved.

Sir John's monument possibly stands alone as he was the revered builder of the Chantry and as such his tomb would have originally been given pride of place in the centre of the Chantry. His suit of armour appears to be of an earlier date than that of the monument. It is thought, however, that the style of the armour was probably due to the whim of the wearer or of the marbler.

The three small female faces found in the links of his girdle would probably refer to his three marriages. Sir John's head rests on his helmet which carries the Latham family crest incorporating an eagle and a child. (see People of Elford)

The Stanley Child (c. 1460)

This figure was made from local Tixall stone, a soft grit also used for repairs to Lichfield Cathedral in the nineteenth century. Young John, grandson of Sir John builder of the Chantry, was the last male heir to the Elford estate. The Latin inscription reads 'Ubi dolor ibi digitus' - 'where the hurt, there the finger'. The boy was killed by a wooden tennis ball striking him on the head. The child wears an ankle length tunic over an under-garment with close fitting sleeves. His feet, resting on a spaniel dog, wear boots buttoned above the instep.

The effigy was originally placed in the recessed arch in the north wall of the Nave, then removed to the Stanley Chapel.

The Smythe Tomb (c.1526)

Although a magnificent monument, the Smythe Tomb does not possess the same sculptural excellence as the other two. Sculpted from marble, the tomb represents Sir William Smythe, knight, in plate and ring armour, with his two wives, Anne Staunton and the Lady Isabella Neville.

The inscription on the tomb edge has gaps where the date of Sir William's death and that of Ann Staunton should have been recorded. Only Isabella's death - 12th October 1516 - is recorded. The wives wear identical gowns but are differentiated by headdress. Anne wears the pedimental headdress of the period while Isabella wears a coronet, presumably to show superior status. Two cushions support each head and on either side winged and crowned angel supporters are reclining. Small dogs with collars and bells are at the feet and hold the end of the mantle in their mouths.

Sir William wears a fine example of 16th century armour. Around his neck lies a heavy gold chain of 'SS' and his bear head rests on a tilting helmet. His gauntlets are laid at his feet, which rest on a lion couchant. He is beardless, his straight hair cut short in front but shaped at the sides. The effigies rest on an elaborate plinth or 'table' surmounted by a moulded cornice bearing the inscription. The sides of the plinth are richly decorated with tracery, columns, shields and figures of monks (often hired for funerals) of grotesque appearance.

In the late 1980's, due to severe buckling of the tiled floor in the Stanley Chapel, the delicate alabaster figures began to crack and disintegrate. The floor was suffering from years of rising damp. The necessary restoration would cost £50,000 and this was raised from various sources and events. The monuments were sent to restorers in 1988. The Minton floor tiles were also raised and relaid. Replacements for broken tiles were still available in the original colours.

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