Sibthorpe St PeterMonuments and Memorials
Chancel
Edward Burnell Monument
 The Edward Burnell monument |
 Detail of the effigy |
 Crude grinning skull
at the effigy's feet |
 Detail |
 Detail of the upright panel
at the head of the effigy |
Cox (1912) gives a description of the monument:
'On N. side of chancel, immediately to W. of Easter Sepulchre, is a fine alabaster monument to "Edward Burnell yt departed this present world the xix of December in the yeare of our Lord 1589." Bearded head of well-executed effigy rests on a book; uplifted hands hold another book; ruff around neck, and open gown shows tunic and breeches. Feet rest on a skull; by a strange freak of modern and foolish Vandalism, this monument, good and perfect of its kind, has been defaced and damaged by riveting to skull a mean little zinc shield painted with initials F. B., to hide, we can only suppose, this emblem of mortality! At the head, on a projecting slab, are the words "By me Barbara Burnell." Against wall behind effigy is a spiritedly carved Renaissance alabaster panel; over impaled shield in a wreath, now blank, are the words, "God grant us all a joyfull resurrection."
Thankfully, the zinc plate has long since gone though its removal has left the skull now looking a little startled.
The inscription on the upright panel at the head of the effigy reads
on the west face and
on the east face.
The front panel of the chest has a vertical crack down the centre. The pediment of
the head panel is broken off (post 1951) and rests against the back panel to
the side of the effigy’s head. The monument was moved from its old position in front
of the hooded tomb recess during 19th century restorations.
The monument has been attributed to Roiley of Chellaston, Derbyshire but Hartwell (2020) suggests 'details of the carving link the monument with the "Bottesford Carver", probably Henry Kinder, responsible for Manners family monuments at Bottesford, cf. the late C16 Whalley monument at Screveton.'
Before marrying Edward Burnell Barbara had been the third wife of Richard Whalley (1498/99-1583) who obtained the property of Sibthorpe College in 1550.
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