Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/23

Rh the feet, that the bones of the toes were scarcely visible. Having made a sketch of the Cross, I had the whole carefully covered up again, and left in its original state. While clearing away the earth and loose stones from the side of the coffin, one of the workmen requested me to examine what it was that again obstructed his digging. I passed my arm into a hole formed under the accumulated rubbish, and my satisfaction was indeed great, when, on disengaging one of the larger stones, we brought to view a lion couchant, resting against which was the foot of a knight in chain armour; and I have the gratification to say, that in this spot were, in a short time, discovered all three of the effigies described by Thoroton; namely, two of knights cross-legged and a female. All the figures are more or less injured, and some portions are lost. They had been thrown in carelessly, and were not even placed horizontally, but were lying edgeways against each other. Two of the statues, however, though much broken, have most of the parts or fragments very fairly preserved; but of the second knight all the upper portion from the shoulders is, unfortunately, missing. The more perfect knight (Fig. 1.) is lying with his hands clasped horizontally on his breast, as in prayer. The face has at some period been restored, a flat sawed surface being left where the restoration had been applied to the original. The figure is habited from head to foot in chain armour, over which is a long surcoat, which is open from the waist, exhibiting the termination of the hawberk and one of the genouilleres or knee pieces. Round the head is a band or fillet, and on the left side, just below this, are two ends or ties, probably the fastening of the hood. The right leg, which is crossed over, is perfect down to the ancle, and a portion of the spur-strap is visible; but the foot is lost. The left leg is broken off at the thigh, but the foot remains, and rests against the lion couchant. The handle of his sword is just under his hands, and the weapon partially crosses the body and rests on the ground. The belt is ornamented with large studs, which, however, are nearly obliterated. On the left side, underneath the fold of the surcoat, and again under the point of the sword, are two small animals like dogs; one is entire, but of the other only the hinder part is visible. A portion of a shield remains attached to the knight's left arm, and it appeared to me that, when perfect, this must have entirely concealed the more perfect