Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent

Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent is in Carvers.

Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent were carvers of the early 16th Century of exceptional quality. Their work is usually identifiable by details such as Bedesmen at the feet, and swirling tails covering the feet, and dogs chewing the lady's dresses.

Around 1456 John Curzon (age 76) died. Monument in All Saints Church, Kedleston [Map] to John Curzon (age 76) and Joan Bagot (age 56). Fluted Period. Eagle Crest. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Couters. Pauldrons. Sabatons. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Probably Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

John Curzon: Around 1380 he was born to Richard Curzon at Kedleston. Before 1412 John Curzon and Joan Bagot were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

Joan Bagot: Around 1400 she was born to John Bagot and Beatrice Mallory.

Battle of Edgecote Moor

After 26 Jul 1469. St Mary's Church, Kington [Map]. Thomas Vaughan killed 26 Jul 1469 at the Battle of Edgecote Moor and wife Elena "Terrible" Gethen so called because she murdered her cousin who had murdered her brother. Alabaster. Early Plate Bascinet Period. Tassets. Believed to have been moved from the Chancel since it is decorated on all sides. Possible Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent - see the folds at the base of her dress and the possible little dog between them. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields.

On 19 Nov 1473 Nicholas Fitzherbert (age 73) died at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map]. Fluted Period. Fine set of weepers. Probably Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

Nicholas Fitzherbert: Nicholas Fitzherbert and Alice Booth were married. In 1400 he was born to Henry Fitzherbert and Amilia Downes at Norbury, Derbyshire.

Clenched Fist Crest usually left-handed; probably a mistake by the sculptor since left-hand suggests illegitimacy.

Suns and Roses Collar.

Feet resting on a Lion with Chunky Lions Mane.

Chest with Weepers.

Two wives shown on one end.

On 02 Mar 1484 Ralph Fitzherbert (age 56) died at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].

On 20 Oct 1490 Elizabeth Marshall (age 53) died. She was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].

Monument to Ralph and Elizabeth. Finely made in Chellaston alabaster of the Fluted Period. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

Ralph Fitzherbert: Ralph Fitzherbert and Elizabeth Marshall were married. Around 1428 he was born to Nicholas Fitzherbert and Alice Booth at Norbury, Derbyshire.

Elizabeth Marshall: Around 1437 she was born to John Marshall.

Bobbed hair with finely detailed ringlets. No facial hair. Suns and Roses Collar and the Fitzherbert Clenched Fist Crest.

His effigy notable for being the only remaining with the Yorkist Boar Pendant (boar of Richard III) on his Suns and Roses Collar.

A finely carved Horned Headdress.

A finely carved collar with Mary and baby Jesus pendant.

Fine Sabatons, the armoured feet, with spurs. Note the Bedesman, looking somewhat bored, under the right foot. Unlikely the sculptor had ever seen a lion. Feet resting on a Lion with Swirling Tail and Chunky Lions Mane.

The chest finely made with weepers on the three extant sides. On one side five single men (a knight, a monk, two merchants and one unknown), and one couple. On the other side women, four single, two duos. Ralph and Elizabeth had twelve children, six male, six female so probable the weepers represent their children, possibly with spouses, possibly with offspring since in the two females duos there is a noticeable difference in height.

Excellent weepers on all sides, probably their issue, possibly with grandchildren, on the longer sides since they had six boys and six girls. Chest with Weepers holding Shields.

After 10 May 1490 Alice Southill (age 30) was buried at Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map]. After 05 Nov 1524 John Harrington (age 44) was buried with his wife.

Fluted Period. Esses and Roses Collar.

Alice Southill: Around 1460 she was born to Henry Southill at Everingham. Before 10 May 1490 she died. In 1500 John Harrington and she were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

John Harrington: After 1480 he was born to Robert Harrington at Exton, Rutlandshire. Date adjusted from 1473 to 1480 to be consistent with father's birth in 1465. On 05 Nov 1524 John Harrington died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

The Bedesman, Chunky Lions Mane, Swirling Tail, Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar, Dress Folds at Feet and Angels supporting the pillow are all indicative of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent

She wearing a Gabled Headress with Lappets.

The Bedesman and Swirling Tail under his feet. Chunky Lions Mane.

Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar.

Dogs Head Crest.

Angels holding the pillow.

Dress Folds at Feet.

On 03 Aug 1494 Nicholas Montgomery (age 60) died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Great Cubley [Map]. Effigy, if there were one, now missing. Attributed to Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Chest with Weepers.

Nicholas Montgomery: In 1434 he was born to Nicholas Montgomery. In or before 1475 he and Joan Delves were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years.

After 22 Jan 1502 John Strelley (age 46) was buried at All Saints' Church Strelley [Map]. Monument to John Strelley (deceased) and Sanchia Willoughby (age 50). Fluted Period. Described as the finest alabaster monument in the country. Chellaston alabaster. Bobbed hair to the shoulder. Feet resting on a Lion, two fine Bedesmen, one male, one female;possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Great helm with Saracen's Head Crest, strangled as denoted by the tongue out. Extended mantling. Four arms above the effigies represent, from left to right: Strelley impaled Kempe - his father Robert Strelley and his mother Isabel Kempe, Strelley Arms impaled Willoughby - John and his wife, Strelley impaled Pierrepoint - John's paternal great-grandfather Nicholas Strelley and great-grandmother Elizabeth Pierrepoint.

After 1503. Effigies believed to be of Thomas Sapcote of Burley (deceased) and his wife Joan Fraunceys. Fluted Period. Note the small dogs chewing at her dress suggesting the work undertaken by Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Holy Cross Church, Burley-on-the-Hill [Map]. Unusual insofar as he is wearing a helmet which is not typical for the Fluted Period.

Thomas Sapcote of Burley: After 1440 he was born. In or before 1489 he and Joan Fraunceys were married. Around 1503 he died.

Joan Fraunceys: she was born to John Fraunceys and Isabel de Plessington. On 26 Oct 1492 Isabel de Plessington died. Her daughter Joan Fraunceys inherited Burley-on-the-Hill House.

After 11 Sep 1504. All Saints Church, Turvey [Map]. Monument to John Mordaunt (deceased) and Edith Latimer (deceased).

Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow. Dress Folds at Feet. Misericorde. Tassets. Crespine Headress. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses. Screaming Man crest, possibly Saracen's Head Crest. Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Dogs chewing at her dress. Some uncertainty about the attribution. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Swirling Tail. Chunky Lions Mane.

Edith Latimer: Before 1479 John Greene and she were married. Around 1450 she was born to Nicholas Latimer and Joan Hody at Duntish, Dorset. Before 1475 John Mordaunt and she were married. The date somewhat unreliable. Her first husband John Greene is supposed to have died in 1483 which makes the date of her marriage to John Mordaunt and the birth of her sons by him unreliable? On 01 Sep 1504 Edith Latimer died at Turvey. She was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey.

After 1517. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon (age 40) and Margaret Dymoke (age 17). Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow. The alabaster chest was once used as the altar. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar and Tudor Rose Pendant. Chest with Bedesmen. Note the swirling tail at his feet which may indicate the work of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

Richard Vernon: Around 1477 he was born to Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot. In or before 1508 Richard Vernon and Margaret Dymoke were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. In Aug 1517 Richard Vernon died. He was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong.

On 13 Mar 1518 Thomas Babington of Dethick (age 69) died at Ashover, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at All Saints Church, Ashover, Derbyshire [Map].

Monument to Thomas Babington of Dethick (age 69) and Editha Fitzherbert. Excellent painted alabaster monument of the Fluted Period with the colours much refreshed. Carved by Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings. The monument was probably erected shortly after Edith died. Thomas's will requests the tomb not be disturbed when dies:

I will my body be buryed in my parish church of Ashover, nere by wif Edith, it it fortune me to deceas within xx. myles of the same. And ells in such place as shalbe thought by them that shalbe wt me at the tyme of my diceas; But I will not that the Tombe which I have made in the Church of Ashover be broken or hurt for my carkas, but that it be leyde nere the same, and over that place that I shall lye in, a stone with a scripture after myne executors and supervisour myndis or the more parte of them to be leyde."

Thomas Babington of Dethick: Around 1449 he was born to John Babington and Isabel Bradbourne. Before 1476 Thomas Babington of Dethick and Editha Fitzherbert were married.

Editha Fitzherbert: Around 1457 she was born to Ralph Fitzherbert and Elizabeth Marshall at Norbury, Derbyshire. In 1511 Editha Fitzherbert died at Ashover, Staffordshire.

She wearing a Gabled Headress with long lappets.

He in civilian clothes with a purse (aka scrip aka gypciere) hanging from his belt.

Dogs chewing at her dress suggests Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent carved the monument.

The chest tomb of exceptional quality with the fifteen weepers under crocketed canopies broadly undamaged. The weepers on the sides are believed to represent Thomas and Editha's children, possibly fourteen, and their respective spouses. The chest tomb now abuts the south wall of the chancel meaning only three sides visible.

Thomas Babington of Dethick (age 69) and Editha Fitzherbert with Saints Catherine and Thomas of Canterbury in the centre.

Babington Arms impaled Fitzherbert Arms.

Around 1520. Alabaster monument to William Blythe and his wife. Probably Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Church of St James the Great, Norton [Map]. Gabled Headress with Lappets. Dogs chewing at her dress. Angels Supporting Pillow. Chest with Weepers. Gypciere.

Around 1526. Monument in St Peter's Church, Elford [Map] to Isabel Neville, William Smythe (age 46) and Anne Staunton.

Fluted Period. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses. Gabled Headress with Lappets. Probably Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Angels Supporting Pillow. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Swirling Tail. Chunky Lions Mane. Chest with Weepers.

Isabel Neville: William Huddlestone and she were married. She the daughter of John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Isabel Ingaldsthorpe. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. After 25 Apr 1457 she was born to John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Isabel Ingaldsthorpe. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. In or before 1492 William Smythe and she were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years; she, unusually, being older than him. She the daughter of John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Isabel Ingaldsthorpe. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 12 Oct 1516 Isabel Neville died.

William Smythe: In 1480 he was born. In 1526 he died.

Anne Staunton: she was born to William Staunton and Margery Stanley. Before 29 Nov 1529 she died.

In or after 1526. St Mary's Church, Ruabon [Map]. Monument [Map] to John ap Ellis Eyton. Alabaster Monument. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

John ap Ellis Eyton: In 1526 he died.

Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields indicative of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

Detail of his head. Categorised as Fluted Period. Note the absence of headwear, his being clean shaven and the Standard protecting the neck all of which define the Fluted Period.

Before it was damaged this was a dog chewing at the hem of her dress; also indicative of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

She wearing a Gabled Headress.

Tudor Roses on his sword pommel.

Bedesman and Swirling Tail both indicative of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.

A curious lion at his feet. Unlikely the carver had ever seen a lion.

Lancastrian Esses Collar.

Detail of the orle, mantling and what remains of the crest on his Great Helm. Difficult to tell what it was originally.

Around 10 Nov 1530 Randle Brereton of Malpas (age 50) died. He was buried in St Oswald's Church, Malpas [Map]. Monument to Randle Brereton of Malpas (age 50) and Eleanor Dutton. Alabaster. Fluted Period. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses. Dogs Head Crest. Dogs chewing at her dress. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Gabled Headress with Lappets. Angels Supporting Pillow. Swirling Tail. Chest with Weepers.

Randle Brereton of Malpas: Around 1480 he was born to Randle Brereton of Malpas. There is some confusion here with so many Randle Breretons. Some sources insert another generation between Randle Brereton 1480-1530 and his father although doing so makes the dates inconsistent. In or before 1499 Randle Brereton of Malpas and Eleanor Dutton were married.

Eleanor Dutton: In 1484 she was born to Peter Dutton. In 1522 Eleanor Dutton died at Malpas.

After 1554. St Mary the Virgin Church, North Aston [Map]. Believed to be a. Monument to John Anne but the armour would suggest it is around a hundred years or so earlier than his death in 1554. Finely carved in alabaster. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Lion Pendant. Fine Bedesmen on the chest. Dogs chewing at her dress. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Angels Supporting Pillow. Chest with Weepers. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields. Gabled Headress with Lappets.

John Anne: In 1554 he died.