Attached to the south side of the chancel is a large and lofty chapel, in ancient times variously called “The Leybourne Chapel” and “The Trinity Aisle.” There is every probability that it was founded about the year 1300, by one of the Leybournes of Berwick, as a place of sepulture for the family, and was subsequently enlarged into its present form by the Drapers’ Company of the town, soon after their incorporation in 1461. In the south-east wall are three stone sedilia, with canopied arches; and on the north side of the altar, a small locker, once used for keeping the Eucharist. A fine pointed arch, in the pure style of the 14th century, communicates with the chancel through the north-east wall. Under this is an altar, tomb, (probably of Simon de Leybourne, lord of Berwick, who died between 1300 and 1315,)
MAN KNOWETH NOT HIS TIME.
AT THE WEST SIDE OF THIS CHURCHYARD ARE INTERRED THE
MORTAL REMAINS OF
HEATHCOTE WIGRAM,
SECOND SON OF MONEY WIGRAM, ESQ. AND MARY HIS WIFE,
OF WOODHOUSE, IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX,
HE WAS A PUPIL IN THE ROYAL FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OF
THIS TOWN AND WAS DROWNED WHILE BATHING IN THE SEVERN
SEPTEMBER I, MDCCCXXXVIII, AGED XIV YEARS.
THE CONDUCT OF THIS AMIABLE YOUTH HAD GREATLY ENDEARED
HIM TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS
HIS NATURAL TALENTS IMPROVED BY SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION
HAD ALREADY GIVEN PROMISE OF FUTURE EXCELLENCE
WHEN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER CALLED HIM AWAY FROM THIS
EARTHLY STATE OF TRIAL
FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE UPON THEM THAT FEAR HIM
AND HOPE IN HIS MERCY TO DELIVER THEIR SOUL FROM DEATH.
THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HIS MASTERS AND
SCHOOL-FELLOWS
TO THE MEMORY OF HIM WHOM THEY LOVED AND LAMENTED
AND FOR THE CONTINUAL ADMONITION OF THE YOUNG IN THIS
CONGREGATION THAT THEY—
REMEMBER NOW THEIR CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THEIR YOUTH.
Against the east wall are large gothic monuments to John Jeudwine Esq. and Thomas Sutton, Esq. and between them is the statue erected by his pupils, at a cost of eight hundred guineas, to the memory of the late Bishop Butler. The figure is full-length, clothed in the Episcopal robes, sitting in an easy and graceful attitude; the right hand hanging over the chair, and the left supporting the head, which is leaning in thought. It is of pure white Carrara marble, and was sculptured by F. H. Baily, Esq. R.A. The pedestal which supports the statue is of dove-coloured marble from the Clee Hill, and bears the inscription below:—
SAMVELI BUTLER, S.T.P. R.S.S.
EPISCOPO LICHFIELDENSI
PRAESVLI PIO DILIGENTI DESIDERATO
PRAECEPTORI IN PRIMIS DOCTO AC SOLLERTI
CVIVS FAVSTIS ADMINISTRATA CONSILIIS
SCHOLA REGIA SALOPIENSIS
LITERARVM STVDIIS LAVDEM OMNEM SVPERGRESSA EST
DISCIPVLI MVNICIPES AMICI ET FAVTORES EIVS
VIRO EGREGIE MERITO
HONORIS EXEMPLIQVE CAVSA POSVERVNT
A.S. MDCCCXLIV.
Dispersed in various parts of the edifice will be found many monuments of modern date, some of which bear elegant inscriptions.
The northernmost of the windows immediately above, is filled with stained glass representing our Blessed Saviour receiving young children, and figures of Charlemagne and Edgar below, and in the window adjoining, is the Adoration of the Magi, and figures of Alfred and David below, the latter the gift of Daniel Rowland, Esq. brother of the late Incumbent.
On the exterior western wall of the tower are some quaint verses, recording the death of Robert Cadman, who, on 2nd February, 1739, rashly attempted to slide down on his breast along a rope, extended from the summit of the spire to the opposite side of the river. The rope being drawn too tight snapped asunder as he was passing over the Dominican Friars, and he fell lifeless on the ice-bound earth.