Page:The Monumental Inscriptions in the Parish Church of S. Michael, Coventry.pdf/67

 

Below the last is a brass 18in. by join., lately placed there, and inscribed-





On the South side of the Mercers' Chapel within a light iron railing are three Altar Tombs, the first is the Swillington Tomb. On the top are three recumbent figures, viz.: Elizabeth Swillington, and on either side, her two husbands, Ralph Swillington and Thomas Essex. Essex is represented as clad in armour, and Swillington in his scarlet gown. Upon the uppermost edge of three sides, is the following inscription, in old English characters:

""Orate p' a' ia Elizabeth Swillyngton, vidue, nup. uxoris Radulph Swillyngton, Attornati Gen'alis D'ni Regis Henrici Octavi, Recordatoris Civitatis Cove'trie, quond'm uxoris Thome Essex, armigeri; que quidem Elizabeth obiit dn anno d'ni Mill'mo CCCCC——""

Translated—

""Pray for the soul of Elizabeth Swillington, widow, the wife of Ralph Swillington, Attorney General of the Lord King Henry VIII., recorder of the City of Coventry, formerly the wife of Thomas Essex, esqre., which same Elizabeth died in the year of our Lord 15..""

Below, on three panels, are the family arms, (plate vii.); on a fourth shield is the sacred monogram, and on each end three other shields, on which are depicted the sacred wounds, &c.

This Elizabeth Swillington lived at Stivichall, and in 1552 gave to the Mayor of Coventry, Henry Over, £140 to invest in land, the proceeds to be 