Roxby Chapel

Thomas Boynton, Esq., 1523

Effigy 25 inches in height, foot inscription 19 1/4 inches, and four shields of arms, each 5 1/2 by 5 inches. Thomas Boynton, the founder of the chapel and "ye fyrst corsse that was beryed in yt," is represented in armour, bareheaded, with long hair and with bare hands. The figure, which is clumsy and ill proportioned, is armed in a collar of mail, breastplate, skirt of taces, with fringe of mail, over which are three very small leaf-shaped tonleteis. The pauldrons, or shoulder-pieces, differ slightly in shape, that on the left shoulder having an upright ridge. The elbow-pieces also differ slightly. The knee-pieces are very large and the sabbatons round-toed, with gussets of mail at the insteps, and large rowel spurs. The sword, the greater portion of which is lost, is supported by a narrow belt crossing the hips diagonally and having a somewhat complicated fastening.

The inscription, now some little way below the figure, is an interesting record. It reads thus:

Pray for the soule of Thom's Boynton of Roysby Esquier who caused this chyrche fyrst to be halowed and was ye fyrst corsse that was beryed in yt and decessed the IIII day of marche the yer' of or lord god Mi Vc and IIIIJ on whose soule Thu have mercy amen.

At the four corners of the stone are shields, each bearing the arms of Boynton, (Or), a fess between three crescents (gu).

The brass, which has been relaid, lies in the center of the floor of the chapel. It is reproduced in the Teliquary, N.S., vol. vii (1893), page 99.

Thomas Boynton was the eldest son of Henry Boynton, Esq., by Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Martin de la Sea, and married Cecily, daughter of James Strangeways, of Sneaton, near Whitby. His will is printed in Test. Ebor., vol v. page 110.

The Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, 1902-03, pp. 307-08.