and at the east end of the north aisle is a fine altar monument of alabaster, 

 with two figures, a knight in plated armour, with helmet under his head, 

 sword hanging by belt, dagger fastened by a cord, mail shirt, square toed 

 shoes, and hound at his feet ; his lady in folded cap, with lappets, cordon, 

 mantle, kirtle, necklace, and belt, and a little dog on each side of her. On 

 tlie sides of the monument are figures of weepers and angels alternately, the 

 angels holding shields. At the east end is the Virgin and child, at the west 

 end the Holy Trinity. It is difficult, at least for an amateur, to make out 

 the inscription, but the tomb is that of Sir Robert Hesilrige and Elenora, his 

 wife, who died in 1529.* 



It is probable that one Thomas Hesilrige, who founded a Chantry and 

 Grammar School in 1509 conjointly with one Harold Stanton, was this Sir 

 Robert Hesilrige's son, as it is said that after the bequeath of his soul to Almighty 

 God, he directed that his body should be buried "in the Chapel of our Lady 

 St. Mari, at Castle Dunnitone, and masses be therein sung for the repose of 

 his soul for ever." The remembrance of the pious act still lives, but the 

 Chantry and Grammar School no longer exist, nor can any trace of them be 

 found, unless we can believe, as has been suggested, that a quaint looking 

 gable overlooking the churchyard is part of the old Chantry house. The 

 alabaster monument of which I am speaking has been shamefully mutilated 

 by spoilers both ancient and modern. Some interest attaches, I think, to the 

 tradition that Harrison and Bradshaw, the regicides, inscribed their names on 

 the breast and leg of the Knight. Perhaps, as the Hesilrige of the day was 

 favourable to the Parliamentary cause, they may have condescended to spare 

 this monument of his ancestor, but at the same time they thought it right to 

 make their mark upon it ! The pulpit is formed of slabs of alabaster some 

 400 years old, the gravestones of the "Dalby family. These were removed from 

 the floor of the Church at the time of the restoration, and set up in this manner 

 by the late Rev. Robert Dalby, of this place, for many years Vicar of 

 Belton. 



* Through the kindness of ihe Rev. C. Kerry the inscription was made out 

 thus : — 



" Magister Robertus Hasylreg armiger filius Wilimi Hasylreg armigeri 

 dirii de hoseley (?) et Elenora uxor Roberti predicti et filia — Shyrley armigeri 

 domini de Stanton Harold qu£e quidem Elenora altissimo reddidit spiritu ano 

 salutis M° quigesimo vicessimo nono sexto die Martii quorii afnabus ppiciet (?) 

 q' eas suo sanguine cos-avir. Amen. Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Pien- 

 tissimas (?) Christianaum preces exposuit (?) ; " which Mr. Kerry translated — 



"Master Robert Hasylreg, Esq., son of William Hasylreg, Esq., lord of 



hoseley, and Eleanor, his wife, and daughter of Shirley, lord of .Staunton 



Harold, which same Eleanor resigned her spirit to the Most High in the year 

 of salvation 1529, on the 6th day of .March, on whose souls may He be 

 merciful Who hath consecrated them with His own blood. Amen. Lord 

 have mercy, Christ have mercy, on these devout Christians who pour out their 

 prayers before us." 



