THIS tomb bas been improperly ascribed to Thomas Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel; but it was evidently raised to the memory of his father, the Earl William and his Countess Joan, daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury. Such an error would probably before this have been corrected, were the effigies more accessible; but they are placed so near the roof of the chantry, in which the tomb is situated, that it is scarcely possible to see them.

The first circumstance which would have led to the correction of the above error, is the costume of the figures not being that of Henry the Eighth's time, but the pre-vailing dress of Edward IV, and the early part of Henry VII.; but that circumstance, which most particularly points out the identity of the personages, is the animals at the feet of these figures, which are the family supporters so placed according to the custom of the fifteenth century. At the earl's feet is the well known White Horse, and at his lady's a Gryphon; the latter being the supporter of the Nevilles, Earls of Salisbury. And it is paramount to conviction in favour of this opinion, that on the walls of the chapel where this tomb is placed are painted the very supporters in question, sustaining a banner, on which are emblazoned thearms of Neville and Fitz-Alan with their quarterings. The monument of Thomas Fitz-Alan is on the N. side of the Chancel at Arundel [Map], which also contains this tomb.

William succeeded his brother, John Fitz-Alan, Lord Maltravers, in the earldom of Arundel, his nephew, Humphrey, dying in his minority. Shortly after, 18th Henry VI, 1440, upon the death of Beatrix, widow of Thomas, Earl of Arundel, being twenty-three years of age, he did homage for all the lands she held in her dower. 38th Henry VI we find him, in consideration of his special services, constituted justice of all the king's forests south of Trent. In the following reign, Edward IV, William was appointed constable of Dover Castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, and in 11th Edward IV, was returned to serve the king, in the custody of that castle tor fifteen days, with twenty men at arms, and forty archers for the suppression of certain rebels then in arms. And the same year William was one amongst those lords in parliament who made oath to Prince Edward; but during the reign of Richard III. he is said to have absented himself from court. He died the third year of the reign of Henry VII, 1487, and left issue by his wife Joan, four sons: Thomas, William, George, and John.

The tomb, placed within a chantry (on the south side of the chancel) of the richest architecture, consists of two stages in the same taste, and of like material, Sussex marble; at the West end or the lower stage, sufficient space is left for the altar, where the service was performed for the souls of the deceased. The figures, which lie loose upon the tomb, are carved in a softer stone, and possess considerable merit; the draperies being executed in the angular style of Albert Durer. The earl [William Fitzalan 16th Earl Arundel] is represented in his robes of creation, with a coronet upon his head. The headdress of his countess [Joan Neville Countess Arundel] is remarkable for its splendid decorations, and the singular manner in which the coronet is introduced upon it^a: beneath her surcoat appears a rich robe wrought with gold, the cuffs are long and turned back from the hands, which are broken, round her neck is a splendid necklace.

Details:— Pl. 2. Fig. 1. The Earl's coronet:— 2. Profile of the ladies head-dress, with the painting and gilding:— 3. The necklace formed of roses and suns, connected by oak leaves^b, the ornament pendant from it is defaced:—4 and 5. Girdle and painting on the robe beneath the surcoat.

Note a. The same head-dress is represented in a very curious portrait at Kensington, of Margaret of Denmark, Queen of James III, King of Scotland.

Note b. The suns and roses were the cognizances or badges of Edward IV.; the oak-leaves refer to the cognizance of the Fitz-Alans.

Joan Neville Countess Arundel: In 1423 she was born to Richard Neville Earl Salisbury and Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Before 1450 William Fitzalan 16th Earl Arundel and she were married. She by marriage Countess Arundel Sussex. She the daughter of Richard Neville Earl Salisbury and Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury. He the son of John Fitzalan 13th Earl Arundel and Eleanor Berkeley Countess Arundel. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 09 Sep 1462 Joan Neville Countess Arundel died.