Wall monument - effigial

The National Monuments Service's description

Within the interior of a church (LF024-030001-), set against the blank N wall is the limestone Fox wall monument. The reclining effigy of Sir Nathaniel Fox dressed in full armour, of which only the torso and thighs survive, rests on an altar-type base. Rising, from either side of the base, are paired Ionic columns surmounted by entablatures, the dentillated cornices of which form the imposts of a round arch enclosing a heraldic achievement above a Latin inscription, surmounted on either side by a shield. There is a Greek sphinx flanking either side of the round-headed arch, with a cherub in each spandrel. The whole is surmounted by strapwork forming a type of pediment, flanked by obelisks, resting on a moulded dentillated cornice. The inscription, translated by Du Noyer (Anon. 1895, 107), reads: 'Here lies Nathaniel Fox of Rathreagh, Esquire, the founder of this church, son and heir of PATRICK FOX, soldier, of Moynor, in the county of Westmeath, and very like him. He married ELIZABETH, daughter of WALTER HUSSY, Esqre., of Moyl-Hussy, by whom he had eight sons and five daughters, of whom eight sons and three daughters still survive. PATRICK, son and heir of the above-named NATHANIEL, married BARBARA, daughter of the most noble lord PATRICK PLUNKET, Baron of Dunsany. The said NATHANIEL and ELIZABETH lived twenty-five years in the state of holy matrimony, and he died at Rathreagh on the 2nd of February, 1634, in the 46th year of his age'. (ITA Survey 1944; Casey and Rowan 1993, 352-3, Pl. 58; Moore 2007, No. 17)

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan, Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 4 June 2013

References

Moore, S. 2007 Archaeological monuments in County Longford. Longford. Longford County Council.