Heraldry.-Low in front and behind head are repeated the Martyn arms on escutcheons, Argent two bars gules. The knight kneels bareheaded, and from his uplifted hands runs a scroll bearing the following: 66 Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis et omnes iniquitates meas dele." Below is the inscription: Here lyethe the body of Xpofer Martyn, Esquyer, Sone and beyre unto Syr Willyam Martyn, knyght. That they bothe may be sure of Eternall lygbt, Qui quidem Xpoferus obiit xxii die mense Marcii, Biographical Notes.-Christopher Martyn of Athelhamston, son of Sir William Martyn, K.B., and Isabel his wife, dau. of Thomas Farringdon of Tincleton (Coker, p. 74), married Christine, dau. of John Cheverell of Chantmarle. At his death 17 Hen. VIII. held Athelhamston of the Prior of Christchurch Twynham and the Manor of Tincleton. By Edith, his second wife, he had issue Thomas, who, dying before his father, left issue, by Mary his wife, dau. of James Daubeney, Robert, 17 years old, married to Elizabeth, dau. of John Kilway (Cole, Esch.). 3 Ed. VI. Robert Martyn, Esq., at his death held this Manor and Burleston; the Manors of Faringdon and Tincleton and Little Piddle alias Thorpe; the Manor and advowson of Woodsford, and a messuage in Bardolfeston and Piddleton, value 40s. Nicholas Martyn (post), his son and heir by Elizabeth, his wife, age 20, who had his livery the same year (Cole, Esch.). (3.) PIDDLETOWN ST. MARY'S, NICHOLAS MARTYN, ESQ. "Nicholas Martyn, Esq. 1595, in armour, with 3 sons & 7 daughters 4 of whom he left cohs. Elizabeth, Frances, Jane and Anne [he marr. Margaret dau. & h. of John Wadham of Meryfield] mural Altar Tomb South Chantry."-Haines. Position. Mural, behind altar tomb against south wall of Athelhampton aisle. Size. Nicholas and three sons, dexter, 173in. wide by 18in. high; Margaret and seven daus., sinister, 18in. wide by 173in. high; heraldic slab, 12in. high by 11in. wide; inscription below, 9in. by 16in. Description. Four brass plates under canopy; on the dexter side is shown Nicholas Martyn in the armour of the period with sword and spurs. He is bareheaded and wears a pointed beard and moustaches, and is kneeling before an altar, upon which is an open book; behind him kneel his three sons. The armour of Elizabethan times allowed more "play" having more joints than earlier examples; especially is this seen in the Tassets or upper leg guards, made hinged to allow of the puffed and slashed trunk-hose then in vogue. On the sinister side appears Margaret Martyn kneeling on a cushion before a similar altar, with hands upraised in prayer, and behind her, her seven daughters, also kneeling and similarly dressed; she wears the costume usually seen in the portraits of Queen Elizabeth and ladies of rank at the end of the 17th century. Very large ruffs, starched and supported on wires, a long-bodied stomacher, peaked at the waist as usual, close sleeves with plain cuffs, the skirts project abruptly from the hips, and were extended by large farthingales of whalebone. Heraldry.-Above on rectangular brass: Arg. two bars gules, Martyn, impaling gules a chevron between three roses, Wadham, having the Martyn crest above; a Martyn proper, chained to a stump of a tree or, sejant, holding in his paw a mirror azure. Below is inscription in Roman type : "HERE LYETH THE BODY OF NICHOLAS MARTYN ESQUIER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE & SLEPT WTH HIS FATHERS YE 23 DAY OF MARCH ANo 1595 & LEFT BEHIND TO INHIRYT HIS LANDS IIII DAVGHTERS COEHEIRES ELIZABETH FRAVNCES JANE & ANNE WHOSE SOVLE Athelhampton came to the Martins, "a right ancient familie, through marriage with the heir of Henry de Piddle, long since Lorde of it."-Coker, p. 79. The first William Martin paid a fine for the release of his lands and castle of Pidela in Dorset, in 1207 (Rot. Fin., 9 John, memb. 13), and was dead in 1209. He had married Avicia, to whom he had assigned the Manor of Pulle as dower, and of this she had seizin in 1216, probably on the death of her son (Rot. Litt. Claus., 17 John, pt. 1., memb. 4). The second William held the honour of Cameis, in Wales, and had letters of protection while residing in that country in 1209. (Rot. Litt. Pat., 10 John, memb. 1).† The Arms of Dartington, co. Devon, are Argent, two bars gules. The Martins were Lords of Dartington. * Biographical Details.-Nicholas Martyn of Athelhampton married Margaret, second dau. of John Wadham, of Merifield, co. Somerset, and Edge, co. Devon, and Joan, his wife, d. and coh. of John Tregarthen, co. Cornwall; her elder sister Joan married Sir Gyles Strangways of Melbury, and a younger sister, Florentina, married John Wyndham, whilst Nicholas Wadham, her brother, founded in 1613 Wadham College, Oxford, of whom Fuller says he kept such hospitality that "his house was like an inn at all times and like a Court at Christmas." * Mandatu' est Vič Sumset qd hře fač Avicie q fuit ux WiHi fit Martini plenar saisina de man'io de Pulle qd Bdeus Wits in vita sua assignavit in dotē suā. ↑ Will's fit Mart ħt litlas de simplici ptect̃ qãdiu fulit i Wała. |