Visited by the Society in 1890. 



279 



Gabriel under a late Decorated canopy, is probably part of a reredos 

 which contained the Annunciation. (See vol. xi., p. 188.) 



The altar tomb in the chancel is a singularly good one (see 

 drawings, vol. xi., pp. 185, 186). It is probably a little later than 

 the erection of the present nave, and it may have been set up to 

 commemorate the benefactor to whom the building owes its existence. 

 On the mensa are the recumbent figures of a knight and his lady, 

 with the feet of each resting on an animal resembling a hound. 

 The knight wears plate armour, and his head rests on a shield. The 

 lady wears a square head-dress and mantle, and a cordon round her 

 neck to which a cross is suspended. Her head rests on a pillow. 

 Around the sides of the tomb are the figures of their twelve children. 

 There are no arms to assist us in identifying the knight, but Canon 

 Jones concludes he was a member of the Malwyn family, who were 

 lords of the manor at about A.D. 1400. I learn from a report in 

 the Devizes Gazette commemorating the re-opening of the Church 

 after restoration, that this tomb has passed through many vicissitudes. 

 tf It was first in the nave, where its presence was felt to be an in- 

 trusion, and it was shouldered out to make room for modern pews ; 

 it was then removed to the old chancel, where its size made it an 

 inconvenient addition, and it was threatened with banishment to 

 the churchyard. However it remained at rest, jostled by the school- 

 children, scratched and picked by their knives, and used for the 

 accommodation of boys' hats on Sundays." On the re-building of 

 the chancel it was placed in its present position, under an arch in 

 the north wall. 



There is a monument to Gertrude, relict of Edward Ernie, who 

 died 21st April, 1662 ; and another to Sir Walter Ernie, who died 

 16th July, 1732, at. 56. 



