224 Wild Darell of Littlecote. 



as we learn from Sir Edward Darell's will in 1528, and, from its 

 architectural appearance, built, in all probability, in the early part 

 of the 15th century. In the centre of this chapel, and facing the 

 altar, is a large tomb of Purbeck marble, on the slab of which are 

 the evidences of very fine brasses, and round its ledge the mark of 

 the inscription band. The sockets for the brasses show that the 

 effigies were those of a male and a female, and from this circum- 

 stance, I am disposed to assign them to William Darell, and his 

 wife Elizabeth Calston, and to surmise that they were placed there 

 by their son, Sii' George Darell. Above these effigies, and in the 

 centre, is a shield with a helmet and crest, this latter being the 

 crest of Darell, viz., a man's head. On the dexter side is a similar 

 helmet, &c., with a crest, a hand holding a short sword. On the 

 sinister, another helmet, shield, and crest, viz., a hawk. There are 

 six other separate shields, and three religious figures immediately 

 over the effigies, in all probability representing the Trinity. The 

 head-dress of the female corresponds exactly with the period of 

 Elizabeth Calston, and it may be remarked, that the head-dress of 

 the brass of her maternal aunt, Elizabeth Fynderne, in the Church 

 of Childrey, in Berkshire, not long anterior to her own, is the 

 same. Against the north wall, and on a level with the flooring 

 of the altar, is a tomb of Purbeck marble with its brasses, or rather 

 their sockets, under a marble arch above. Here again we have two 

 crests, the dexter, Darell ; the sinister, the hand holding a sword. 

 In the centre was an emblem, apparently of the Trinity. Immedi- 

 ately under this are two small effigies, kneeling towards the east, and 

 one facing them, and kneeling also. On the right and left are 

 shields. It is difficult to hazard even a theoretical identity for this 

 monument. On the opposite and south side of the altar, is another 

 tomb without trace of brasses or inscription, but with one stone 

 shield still remaining at the side nearest the altar. The windows, 

 together with a richly foliated niche, and a foliated bracket, are 

 good, and close to the upper step of the altar floor (there being 

 two), an octangular stone about the size of a small millstone, may 

 be observed. Whether Wild Darell rests under a plain stone on 

 the north side of the principal monument, I do not pretend to 



