Biography of Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641

Around 1575 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 was born at Arras. His name appears to have been originally 'Poultrain,' and in early life he is often described as 'Powtran or Poutraine, alias Colt.

After 1590. Monument to Robert Carr 1511-1590 at St Denys' Church Sleaford. Possibly sculpted by Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641.

On 04 Mar 1605 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (30) signed an agreement with the lord treasurer, Sir Robert Cecil (41), to carve a monument above the grave of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (71) in the Henry VII Chapel Westminster Abbey for 600l. The work was completed at the end of 1606.

On 23 Sep 1607 Princess Mary Stewart 1605-1607 (2) was buried in the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey opposite her sister Sophia's tomb in a private ceremony. Her effigy, created by Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (32), represented a young girl, clad in a mature dress, with the traditional ruff, carved in ivory.

On 17 Mar 1608 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (33) was employed on a second monument in Westminster Abbey above the grave of the Princess Sophia, the infant child of King James I (41), who was born and died in the preceding June. Colt received 215l for this work.

On 28 Jul 1608 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (33) was nominated the king's Master Carver.

On 03 Mar 1609 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (34) was granted a suit of broadcloth and fur to be renewed annually for life.

In 1611 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (36) carved 'a crown on the head of the Duke of York's (10) barge,' and in the following years he was employed in decorating the king's and queen's private barges. The last payment for this work was made on 14 Oct 1624.

On 24 May 1616 Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland 1560-1616 (55) died at Brougham Castle. She was buried in St Lawrence's Church Appleby. Finely carved alabaster. Jacobean Hooded Monument with Coronet. Possibly by Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (41).

On 11 Sep 1617 Anthony Mildmay -1617 died. He was buried at the Church of St Leonard Church Apethorpe. His inscription reads ... Here sleepeth in the Lord with certaine hope of resurection Sr Antony Mildmay Knt eldet sonne to Sr Walter Mildmay Knt Chaunclor of the Exchequor. to Queene Elizabeth. He was Embassador from Queen Eliza: to the most Christian King of Fraunce Henry the 4th Ano. 1596; He was to Prince and Country faithful, and serviceable, in peace and warre, to freinds constant to enemies reconciliable. Bountiful and loved hospitality. He died September 11 1617.

On 27 Jul 1620 Grace Sharington 1552-1620 (68) died. She was buried at the Church of St Leonard Church Apethorpe. The inscription of her monument reads ... Here also lyeth Grace Ladie Mildmay the only wife of the saied Sr Antho: Mildmay one of the heyres of Sr Henry Sharington Knt: of Lacock in the County of Wiltes who lived 50 years maried to him and three years a widow after him. she was most devout, unspotedly chast mayd, wife, and widow, compassionate in heart, and charitably helpful with phisick, cloathes, nourishment, or counsels to any in misery, She was most careful and wise in managing worldly estate. So as her life was a blessing to hirs, and hir death she blessed them which hapned July 27 1620.

From RCHME Inventory. It is of grey veined and black marble and is partly gilded and painted. Two effigies lie on a black and white marble tomb chest beneath a baldachino consisting of a shallow dome with a cupola having round-headed openings in its drum, which give light to the interior. The baldachino is supported at each end by a rectangular pier onto which curtains, hanging from the architrave of the dome, are looped. Against the piers are standing figures representing the four Virtues, and the frieze is inscribed 'Devoute', 'Wise', 'Charitable' and 'Just'; the frieze is also inscribed 'Chaste' and 'Valiant'. The head of the figure representing Justice is modern. Seated on the cornice are smaller figures, on the E. of Faith and on the W. of Hope; on the cupola dome is a seated figure of Charity. Crowning the cornice are freestanding cartouches of arms of Mildmay (N.E. and S.E.) and Sherington (N.W. and S.W.). Against the cupola drum are shields of arms of Mildmay impaling Sherington, both quartered with alliances, and Mildmay quarterly. The W. pier of the baldachino is inscribed with a record of the setting up of the monument by Sir Francis Fane (37) in 1621. The tomb chest is enriched with emblems of mortality and eulogistically-phrased inscriptions record the lives of Sir Anthony on the S., and of Lady Grace on the N. The effigies lie on rush mats, he in Greenwich armour, she in full mantle, ruff and head-dress. The authorship of the monument is not known but the figures of the four Virtues are in the manner of Maximillian Colt (42) (cf. Cecil monument, Hatfield, Hertfordshire); the baldachino may be compared with that over the tomb of the Countess of Derby at Harefield, Middlesex, probably also by Colt (42).

In 1618 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (43) had a house in Farringdon Within when his name appears in a list of foreigners then resident in London, together with that of John Colt, probably his son, who was also a sculptor and a native of Arras.

After 01 Oct 1618. Monument to Edward Carr 1st Baronet Carr 1543-1618 at St Denys' Church Sleaford sculpted by Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641.

After 1622. Monument to George Savile 1st Baronet Thornhill 1550-1622 at Church of St Michael and All Angels, Thornhill. Possibly sculpted by Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641.

On 03 Mar 1626 William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire 1552-1626 (73) died. His son William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire 1590-1628 (36) succeeded 2nd Earl Devonshire. Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire -1675 by marriage Countess Devonshire. On 12 Oct 1616 Henry Cavendish 1550-1616 (65) died. Both were buried at St Peter's Church Edensor Chatsworth. Monument formed two bodies under a low four-poster with black Ionic columns and black covering slab. Henry appears as a skeleton on a straw mat, William in his shroud with his face exposed. Extremely grand architecture above the two martial flanking figures, then arches with, on the left armour, and on the right purple, coronet, and sword hung up, and in the middle an angel holding the black inscription tablet and blowing a trumpet. The whole is surmounted by a big broken pediment. The monument has been attributed to Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 (51).

On 29 Mar 1629 Maximillian Colt's (54) daughter Abigail was buried, at the age of sixteen, in the St. Bartholomew's Church, and his wife, Susan, in 1646. He had another son named Alexander.

After 1641 Maximilian Colt Sculptor 1575-1641 died.