CH8. Tablet within a large rose marble frame decorated with several coats of arms
D.O.M. / In spem Resurrectionis / Heere lieth the bodie of THO: HARBIE of / Adston in the countie of Northhampton Esq. / Who lived worthelie and lived died religiouslie / Having beene the loving husband of three wives / 1 ALICE daughter of JOHN FOXE of / Beuford in the countie of Oxford / 2 MARGARET daughter of – – – – – MALIN / Citizen of London / 3 And KATHARINE daughter of CLEMENT THROKMORTON of Haseley in the countie / of Warw. Esq. and KATHARINE NEVILL his / Wife, sister to the Ld. Abergavenny / By whom he had yssue (after 50 yeares of age) / sixe sonnes Viz. / RICHARD, FRAN: CLEMENT, JOB: ERASMUS, & EDWARD / And five daughtes Viz. / KATHARINE: SUSAN: ANN: MARIE and EMM / obiit 1st Junii 1592, Aetatis suae 64 / For the continuance of whose good Memorie / And a testimonie of their owne dutifull respectes / His three yonger sonnes CLEMENT: JOB: & ERASMUS / Erected this Remembrance Anno 1623.
Note: The – – – – – in front of MALIN are just as inscribed.
High up on the wall in the Prayer Chapel is a solid, sizeable monument to Thomas Harbie. Thomas Harbie died in 1592 but the memorial, paid for by his sons, wasn’t erected until 1623. Interestingly, this is the same year that the tower, being in a very poor state, was examined and found to be beyond repair. When the new tower was completed in 1629, the Harbie Coat of Arms was added right at the top. (see photo right). Was this because Thomas’s sons made a significant contribution towards the cost in their father’s memory? Unfortunately the facts don’t seem to have been recorded so we’ll never know, it’s just a matter for idle speculation! Whatever the reason, I think it is safe to assume that in his day, Thomas Harbie was probably the richest or most important or most influential man in the parish. He was born in Adston, Northamptonshire in 1528 but I haven’t been able to find out much more about his life other than he lived at the Rectory House which stood where Bishopshalt School is now. The Rectory House was owned by the Bishops of Worcester and Thomas Harbie was their tenant.
Also remembered on the monument are his three wives. Alice, Margaret and Katharine, his 6 sons: Richard, Fran, Clement, Job, Erasmus and Edward and five daughters: Katharine, Susan, Ann, Marie and Emma.
The Bishopshalt School site has a fascinating history. I highly recommend that you listen to Ken Pearce telling the story in 3 parts on the Uxbridge FM website.
Christine Bartlett
