About a mile from the turnpike road stands

HOM HOUSE,

The late residence of Sir JOHN KYRLE, Bart

NOW OF

WILLIAM MONEY, ESQ.

So called from its situation, it occupying a gentle rise fronted by spacious demense lands; but the mansion, which was old and and ill-suited for the economy of modern life, has in a great measure been taken down, and altered to the ideas of the reigning taste.

MARCLE CHURCH.

The Church of Marcle occupies a small eminence in the midst of fine meadow ground, and is one of the handsomest, as well as the largest, religious edifices in this part of the country. It consists of two noble isles, besides the nave, which are divided by well-proportioned pillars," with a square embattled tower at the west end, and measures from thence to the Altar fifty yards.

On the north side of the chancel, inclosed with iron rails, is a small Chapel, belonging to the Kyrle family. Mrs. Clarke's papers furnished me with the following particulars relating to it, and affords a curious instance

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of

a man of rank and fortune preparing a mausoleum, and erecting a grand monument for himself and wife in his life-time :"

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"Sir John Kyrle, the elder, gave the Treble to the "ring of bells in Much Marcle,—and built the fabric adjoining to the chancel, which is commonly called "the Chapel, wherein he IN HIS LIFE-TIME erected a "fair monument of white and black marble, for himself "and his lady, under which tombe they both lie buried, "in a cemetary or vault made by him for his posterity. "These things he did in the year of our Lord 1628, "and this record thereof was, from the testimony of "his grandchild Sir John Kyrle, inserted in our Church "Register, by me,

"WILLIAM WATTS, Vicar, April 8, 1663. DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT.

On a fine slab of black marble rest the effigies of Sir John and his Lady Sibyl at full length, with tasselled cushions under their heads, and the addition of a canopy to that of the Lady's. At Sir John's feet is placed the family crest, a hedgehog; and round the base on which it stands, their motto, "nil moṛor - ictus,"—literally, delay not the stroke, but figuratively applied to the properties of that animal. Out of a bason, at the feet of the Lady, issue erect the paws of a bear.

They are both superbly habited in dresses of the time in which they lived,-Sir John with a fine ruff and flowing beard-his scarf richly ornamented with fleurs de lys. His consort in a full quilled ruff, and other paraphernalia of that day. At the ends and sides of the monument are the arms of his lady's (the Scudamore) family, [gules, three stirrups with leathers, or] with those of other relatives; and round the exergue this

INSCRITPTION,

INSCRIPTION:

Translation, the original in Latin,-" Underneath sleep in peace Sir John Kyrle, Baronet, and Sheriff "of the County of Hereford; and his valued Wife,

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Sibyl they lived together forty-four years in unin"terrupted harmony,-or without misfortune. His "desire to preserve peace-or to prevent litigation"will cause his memory to be for ever beloved and "respected."

The whole is as perfect and fresh as on the day it was first laid down,-except the nails on the fingers, which might have been injured in bringing the monument to Marcle, and exhibits the finest piece of sculpture, of the kind, to be met with in the distance of many miles. It would do credit to the talents of a Rubilliac, a Rysback, or any other statuary, whose works adorn the walls of Westminster Abbey.

Against the North wall of the chancel, near the reading desk:

A mural monument, free-stone painted to imitate marble, inclosing a blue slaty stone, with a gilt moulding. On it is engraved a lady at prayer, a book and desk before her; with a scroll issuing from her mouth, and this sentence: "Sol Christ. mihi solo sal."

[A kind of play upon Monkish words.] Christ is the sun to me,-my health is in the sun,-or, Christ is my sun and my salvation. Erected to the memory of "Elizabeth, wife of John "Cyrrill, citizen of Hereford and M. P. who died the 19th of June 1623."

The above are the only monuments in the church erected to the memory

Underneath the preceding monument, a little to the right hand. A whole length recumbent figure, in the dress of a Religious, holding her beads. Tradition calls her Lady Audley.*

In the Chancel are some monuments of the Walwyn and other families.

Under the South window, opposite the Reading Desk.

A whole length recumbent figure (carved in wood), a cushion under his head, and a dog at his feet-hands in the attitude of prayer-and cross-legged. Sir John Hellyn, of Hellyn-now Mr. Walwyn's estate.

"In the middle

North isle of the Church.

Two whole length recumbent figures, (carved in stone) male and female; hands in the attitude of prayer, a cushion under the lady's head—at the man's, part of a broken cannon; a lion at his feet. Very ancient, but quite perfect; kind of conical hood over his head. No inscription. Tradition says, Lord Mortimer and his Lady:

This monument is of the age of Edward III. because chain mail armour was not used after that period.

John Lord Audley married Margery Mortimer, daughter of Roger and Philippa Mortimer. Marcle was a part of Philippa's dower, which she inherited in right of her mother, who was the daughter of William Montacute earl of Salisbury. From her husband the parish obtained its second appellation of Marcle AUDLEY,

Mrs.

Mrs. Clarke's papers mention these particulars ;

MEM." The four sides of Much Märcle churchyard did of old belong to these who are hereunder named, viz. The north and south sides unto the honorable Sir John Kyrle, bart. lord of the manor of Much Marcle, and to his successors in the said manor;—the east side, to the right worshipful Fulke Walwyn, esq. lord of Marcle Awdlies, and to his successors in the said manor for ever;-and the west side do belong to the whole parish in common, to be kept and maintained out of the common purse. This observation: I received from auncient men of the parish, to be transmitted to posterity. In testimony whereof, I subscribe my name,,

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6

WILLIAM WATTS, Vicar.

In July 1637, died of the PLAGUE, all Richard Wylde's family, Jane his wife, and one daughter, the number whereof was six-and so did five more at Grindall's house in Yatton, by intercourse therewith; so did alle Keele's family, andu all widow Powell's family.

"Lady Sybil Kyrle buried 9th February 1635. "Sir Richard Walwyn, knt. was buried the 20th day of September 1578.

"Sir John Kyrle buried April 20, 1650.

"Lady Sybil, only daughter of Philip Scudamore, esq."

MARCLE