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Latin inscription on monument to three wives of Gervase Clifton, 1631, Church of Saint Mary, Clifton
To preserve the memory of his lovely wives. Penelope daughter of Robert Earl of Warwick and Penelope his wife. A woman, in body as in soul the most beautiful to be seen, who after five years of marriage, perished. She bore one son, Gervase, died and was brought here. She died 26 Oct 1613 aged 22.
Frances, daughter of Francis and Griselda, Earl and Countess of Cumberland. A most noble, wise and pious woman, who left issue Margaret, Frances, Anne, Clifford and Letitia. Departed this life 22 Nov 1627 aged 33 and was brought to the same place.
Mary daughter of John Egioke esquire of Egioke in the county of Worcester, and Anne his wife, and widow of Sir Francis Leeke of Sutton in Derby Shire, most excellent knight. A well-read woman of mature habit of mind who in the marriage mothered the children. She died 19 Jan 1630 and was entombed in the Church of St Giles, London.
Those to whom this Monument is made stand truly as great in my Thoughts.
Buried in the ancestral tomb of they who for six hundred years have lived here as Lords of the Manor. Placed by Gervase of Clifton, knight and baronet.
The final four lines are contain more poetry than I can translate well (if at all): Expecta tot (Terra) meis Maioribus oria / tandem me eiusdem hinc ordinis atque loci/ et simile quod si quisquam concedere nolit/ Muneris ecce tui est, ut simile facias. Very briefly, This affirms the above lines and the monument proves them.