Stothard, Charles Alfred; Kempe, Alfred John: The monumental effigies of Great Britain: selected from our cathedrals and churches ; for the purpose of bringing together, and preserving correct representations of the best historical illustrations extant, from the Norman conquest to the reign of Henry the Eight (London, 1817)

INTRODUCTION.

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talents he makes such honourable mention; and lor the candid criticism of that excellent judge of
matters of antiquity and art in the progress of his work, he at all times expressed himself much
indebted.*
The talents of Mr. C. Stothard as an artist, and the accuracy of his research in objects connected
with his pursuit, soon obtained lor him a distinguished reputation as an antiquary, and the acquaint-
ance of characters eminent lor their learning and respectability. Among these were the late Sir Joseph
Banks (who highly appreciated him), and Samuel Lysons, Esq. the joint author of " Magna Bri-
tannia," who esteemed him as a friend. Mr. Lysons employed him to make some drawings ihustrative
of his work; far which purpose, in the summer of 1815, Mr. C. Stothard made a journey northward as
lar as the Piets' Wall, adding to his portfolio many drawings for the Magna Britannia, monumental
subjects for himself, and a number of little sketches, executed in the most delicate and peculiar manner,
of different views and buildings in the country through which he passed. During his absence from
London Mr. Lysons gave him a proof of his esteem and regard, by obtaining for him, unsolicited, the
appointment of Historical Draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries of London.
In 1816 he was deputed by that body to commence his elaborate and faithful drawings of the famous
Tapestry deposited at Bayeux. During his absence in France he visited Chinon, and in the neigh-
bouring Abbey of Fontevraud discovered those interesting Effigies of the Plantagenets, the existence
of which after the revolutionary devastation had become doubtful, but which were of high importance to
him as subjects for his work. The following account of this matter is given in Mrs. C. Stothard's
Tour in Britanny :—" When Mr. Stothard first visited France during the summer of 1816, he came
direct to Fontevraud, to ascertain if the Effigies of our early Kings who were buried there yet existed;
subjects so interesting to English history were worthy of the inquiry. He found the abbey converted
into a prison, and discovered in a cellar belonging to it, the Effigies of Henry the Second and his
Queen Eleanor of Guienne, Richard the First, and Isabella of Angouleme, the Queen of John. The
chapel where the figures were placed before the revolution had been entirely destroyed, and these
valuable Effigies, then removed to the cellar, were subject to continual mutilation from the prisoners,
who came twice in every day to draw water from a well. It appeared they had sustained some injury,
as Mr. S. found several broken fragments scattered around. He made drawings of the figures; and
upon his return to England represented to our Government the propriety of securing such interesting
memorials from further destruction. It was deemed advisable, if such a plan could be accomplished,
to gain possession of them, that they might be placed with the rest of our Royal Effigies in West-
minster Abbey."*!* An application was accordingly made, which failed; but it had the good effect of
drawing the attention of the French authorities towards these remains, and saving them from total
destruction. At the same period Mr. Stothard visited the Abbey of L'Espan, near Mans, in search of
the effigy of Berengaria, Queen of Richard the First: he found the abbey church converted into a barn,
and the object of his inquiry in a mutilated state, concealed under a quantity of wheat.I At Mons
he discovered the beautiful enamelled tablet representing Geoffrey Plantagenet. Mr. Stothard's
drawings of the Effigies of the English Monarchy extant in France, were, on his return from
Fontevraud, submitted by the late Sir George Nayler to the inspection of his late Majesty George the
Fourth, who was graciously pleased to express an earnest desire for their publication, and to allow
Mr. Stothard to dedicate his Work, the Monumental Effigies, to him. In 1817 he made a second
journey to Bayeux for the purpose of continuing his drawings from the Tapestry. In February 1818
* Mr. Kerrich's numerous and interesting collection of sketches and plans of the details of Gothic Architecture were
left, at his death, to the British Museum. His collection of paintings of the Gothic Age were bequeathed to the Society
of Antiquaries, and are suspended on the walls of their meeting-room.
t Tour in Britanny, p. 294. 1 See Memoir of his Life, pp. 243 to 248.