HERE LYETH DAME ANNE CHEYNE DAVGHTER AND HEYRE OF S^R. JOHN
BROVGHTON KNIGHT MARRYED TO S^R. THOMAS CHEYNE KNIGHT L^O. WARDEN
OF THE CINQ PORTES TREASOROR OF HER MAIESTIES HOVSHOLD OF THE
ORDER OF THE GARTER AND ONE OF HER MAIESTIES PRIVIE COVNSELL WHO
HAD BVT ONE ONLY CHYLDE THE SAME BEING THE LORD HENRY CHEYNE AND
SHE DYED THE 16 DAIE OF MAIE THE THYRD YEARE OF Q ELIZABETH HER
RAIGNE ANNO D'NI 1561.
On the panel at the end of the tomb is an escutcheon with these
arms,--Quarterly of fifteen:--1. _A chevron between three mullets_
(BROUGHTON).--2. _Three moor's heads._--3. _A chevron between three
bird-bolts._--4. _On a chevron, three fleurs-de-lys_ (PEYVRE).--5.
_Quarterly, over all a bend._--6. _Quarterly per fess indented._--7.
_A bend vaire between six escallops._--8. _A saltire engrailed._--9.
_On a cross, five escallops._--10. _Paly of six._--11. _A
barnacle._--12. _A fess dancette between six cross-crosslets._--13. _A
cross engrailed._--14. _Two lions passant guardant._--15. _On a
chevron, a fleur-de-lys._
The next tomb in the succession is that of Sir Henry Cheney, son of
the foregoing, created Baron Cheney of Toddington, 6 May, 1572.[29]
[29] "SR HENRY CHEYNY, now LORDE CHEYNY, called by wrytte to the
Parlement holden at Westmr. anno ... (knighted by the Queen's own
hand 1563.) Arms, quarterly of seventeen:--1. _Azure, six
lioncels rampant, three and three, argent, a canton ermine_
(CHENEY).--2. _Ermine, on the dexter side of a chief, per pale
indented or and gules, a rose of the last._--3. _Argent, a
chevron between three mullets gules._--4. _Argent, three
blackamoors' faces sable._--5. _Sable, a chevron ermine, between
three bird-bolts argent._--6. _Argent, on a chevron gules, three
fleurs-de-lys or_ (PEYVRE).--7. _Quarterly argent and gules, a
bend of the second._--8. _Quarterly per fess indented or and
azure._--9. _Gules, a bend vaire, between six escallops or._--10.
_Sable, a saltire engrailed argent._--11. _Argent, on a cross
azure, five escallops or._--12. _Barry of six argent and
sable._--13. _Argent, a horse-barnacle sable._--14. _Gules, a
fess dancette between six cross-crosslets or._--15. _Or, a cross
engrailed vert._-16. _Azure, two lions passant guardant in pale
or._--17. _Argent, on a chevron sable, a fleur-de-lys of the
field._ CREST:--_An heraldic tiger statant vert bezante, ducally
gorged and lined or._" (METCALFE'S _Book of Knights_.)
This tomb and effigy is by far the most mutilated of the three. The
portion of the tomb immediately under the figure appears to have had
originally the form of a sarcophagus, with ornamented panels probably
below.
Of the effigy only the upper part remains, and this is very much
denuded and weather-worn. The material used is alabaster, and from the
few traces left of the more sheltered portions, was originally of very
beautiful workmanship, heightened with gold. He was clad in armour,
embroidered trunk-hose, and with collar turned out over the
_mentonniere_; the head bare, with curled hair and beard, and the
hands raised in prayer. He lies on a mattress, rolled up under the
head, which rests on an embroidered cushion laid upon it.
It is grievous to witness the maltreatment and neglect this fine
memorial has received, and no trace of inscription or heraldry
remains.
The third is the tomb of his wife, Dame Jane Cheney; this is in much
the same condition as the first in the series.
The effigy, of alabaster, is headless and much weather-worn. She wears
a robe with tippet edged with fur, long gown and waistband. The head
rested on two embroidered cushions. The figure was of fine
workmanship, similar in character to her husband's.
The tomb below has panels with arabesques, and in their centres
shields, originally covered with brasses. On the end panel, under the
head, is this inscription,--
HERE LYETH D^A. JANE LATE WIFE OF S^R. HENRIE CHEYNE KNIGHT L^O.
CHEYNE OF TODINGTON AND ELDEST DAVGHTER OF S^R. THOMAS WENTWORTH
KNIGHT L^O. WENTWORTH AND LORD CHAMBERLAINE TO KING EDWARD THE
SIXT WHO DECEASED THE 16 DAIE OF APRIL A^O. D^O. 1614.
HERE LIES MY BODIE IN CORRVPTIONS BED,
MY SOVLE BY FAITH AND HOPE TO HEAVEN IS LED,
IMPRISONED BY LIFE, DEATH SET ME FREE,
THEN WELCOME DEATH, STEP TO AETERNITY.
Before we quit the sacred precincts of the old edifice, our steps take
us to the chancel, and in scanning the memorials around, are arrested
awhile by the record of an interesting but sad episode of home life,
occurring during the last days of the residence of the Cheneys in
their grand home at Toddington. A small tablet on the south side of
the altar,--despoiled apparently, like the tombs in the transept, of
its ornamental accessories,--still speaks to us this tribute of
sisterly affection,--
IN MEMORIAM FRATRIS POSUIT-SOROR ALISIA BRVS
AMORIS ERGO.
GYLIS BRVSE ESQR YONGEST SON'E TO S^R. JOHN BRVSE OF WENHAM IN
SUFF' KNYGHT WHO COM'INGE TO TODDYNGTO' TO VISYTE HIS SYSTER
ALICE BRVSE THEN ATTENDING ON YE RIGHT HO' YE LADYE CHEYNE THERE
DYED YE 13 OF MARCH 1595 AND WAS BY HIS SAYDE SYSTER HERE
INTOMBED YE 14 OF MARCH REGNO REGINAE ELIZAB: 38 AETATIS SUAE 33.
As our stranger-foot turns to depart, the suggestive reflection
crosses the thoughts concerning the untoward fate of the vanished
Cheneys,--their name extinct, their sumptuous habitation razed to the
ground, and their costly memorials also subjected to almost
unparalleled indignity, neglect, and injury, short of actual
destruction,--can the well-worn but true adage, _sic transit gloria
mundi_, ever have received ampler verification?
But why should such striking collapse of this world's artificial
grandeur sadden the mind that rejoices in the unobtrusive station, and
simple unenvied delights--ever the best--of every-day life? In truth
it does not; as we pass out into the pleasant daylight, the olden
opulence and state of the departed Cheneys fades into the past as a
dream, for a much more healthful sight is before us. To-day is the
little rural town's holiday, and its inhabitants are enjoying
themselves with unrestrained pleasure, while the fine peal of bells in
the tower is also adding melodious tribute to the passing hour. Their
delightful cadence follows our retreating steps for a long distance,
and as their sweet sound dies to the outward ear, our walk continues
to be beguiled with this vagrant inward echo to their