Page:VCH Northamptonshire 1.djvu/502

A HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE King's Serjeant and Speaker of the House of Commons, died 1633, and that of his wife, Temperance Bray. He wears a triple ruff, and the coif and gown of a 'serjeant of the law ware and wise.' Both figures appear to be from the hand of Nicholas Stone. Sir Richard Knic.hilev, died 153+, and Joan his wife. Fawsley. The alabaster portrait effigies of this worthy member of an ancient family and his wife lie upon a Renaissance tomb of much the same character as that of Sir Robert Brudenell at Deane. The sides are divided into four com- partments. On the north are four female figures, and in each division on the south two male figures. The east end abuts against the respond of the arch, and at tlie west is the Knightley achievement (as on the tabard) sur- mounted by a helmet with mantling and crest. Sir Richard Knightley wears a tabard blazoned with arms on the front and each sleeve. Over the tabard is a collar of SS, from which is suspended a Tudor rose. This marked the position of Gentleman Usher Extraordinary to the King. Round the neck is the mail gorget, and under the tabard ap- pear the upright neck guards of the pauldrons, and below it the large tuilles over the mail skirt. The knees are protected by articulated genouilleres, and the feet by plain round-toed soUerets, unusual at this period, when broad soUerets were in full fashion. Inside the tilt- ing helm, upon which the head rests, is a loose lining of mail, reaching beyond the edge ; this was to defend that part of the neck where the headpiece and gorget come in contact. Dame Joan Knightley, daughter and heir of Henry Skennard, wears the pedimental head-dress, a partlet embroidered at the neck, a waistcote, to which are attached divided sleeves, connected at intervals by points or laces, a kirtle of ermine, a gown, and over all a heraldic mantle, showing that the original was embroidered with the same Knightley quarterings and impaled coats as are exhibited on the knight's tabard, and on the achieve- ment at the west end of the tomb — a striking costume. In all probability both effigies are as careful portraits as could under the circumstances be produced. The alabaster effigy of the lord of Faws- ley 's eldest son, Richard Knightley of Upton, together with that of his wife Jane, eldest daughter of the first Sir John Spencer, remain at Upton in a greatly disfigured state, the monument having been destroyed before the time of Bridges. The knight is shown wearing a gorget and a standard of mail, a collar of SS and a tabard, below which the usual tuiles and mail skirt appear. The culettes and taces are seen at the side, the elbows are protected by plain coudidres, the knees by articulated genouilleres, and the feet shod with articulated soUerets, and armed with long-necked spurs. The lady is habited in the usual gown, kirtle and mantle of the time, and her long hair flows from a plain caul with a jewelled edge. She wears gold chains, a collar of SS, a girdle and a rosary. Richard Knightley succeeded his father at Fawsley in 1534 and died in 1537. William Parr, Lord Parr of Horton. Died 1546, and Mary Lady Parr. Horton. The alabaster portrait effigies of Lord and Lady Parr lie upon a tomb of the same stone and of the same Renaissance character as those of Brudenell at Deane and Knightley at Fawsley, in the midst of the chancel. Both figures are very delicately sculptured, and of the best work of the time, the greatest care having been bestowed by the sculptor upon the waving curls of Lord Parr's hair and patriarchal beard. He is represented in armour, with remarkably large upright pass- guards protecting the neck, and formed by turning back the upper members of the pauldrons which cover the shoulders. The waist is encircled by tassets, from which large channelled tuiles are suspended over the mail skirt. The coudieres no longer have the exaggerated form of the preceding century, and are ornamented with an incised pattern. The knees are protected by plain genouilleres, kept in place by straps passing behind and fastened by screws. The feet are covered with the broad-toed soUerets, and take the form of the general civil costume then in fashion, as was usually the case with armour. From the back quillon of the sword plain gauntlets of plate are suspended by a loop, no doubt representing the actual practice in real military life, and on the right side of the figure a heavy dagger or ' ballok-knyf ' is hung from a cord round the waist, at the bottom of the plain ridged breastplate. The head rests upon the tilting helm, exhibiting the usual loose lining of mail of the time, which protected the neck, and is surmounted by the crest. Over the shoulders is worn a collar of SS from which a Tudor rose depends. This signifies the wearer's attach- ment to the royal person as Lord Chamber- lain to his niece Queen Katherine Parr. The effigy of Lady Parr lies on the left side of that of her gallant husband, and is a good example of a splendid and peculiar cos- 416