History

Four members of the Apsley family are buried in the south ambulatory of Westminster Abbey.

Sir Allen Apsley

Sir Allen Apsley and his wife Frances have gravestones near the entrance to St Nicholas's chapel. Sir Allen was born on 28 August 1616, the eldest son of Sir Allen (1567-1630), Lieutenant of the Tower of London, and his third wife Lucy (St John). He was educated at Merchant Taylors School in London and Trinity College Oxford. During the Civil War he commanded a Royalist troop and in 1645 was governor of Barnstaple in Devon. He married Frances Petre who died 22 September 1698. While visiting Charles II in exile in Holland the king appointed him Master of the Privy Hawks (or Falconer). He was a member of the household of James, Duke of York (later James II) and served in Parliament as member for Thetford in Norfolk. During the battle of Lowestoft in 1665 he was aboard the Royal Charles. He died on 15 October 1683.

Anne and Allen Apsley

Anne, first wife of Sir Peter Apsley (or Apseley) of Apsley in Sussex, cofferer to James II, was buried near the above. She died 5 September 1681. Their eldest son Allen died 5 August 1691 aged 11 years. Sir Peter later married Catherine Fortrey and died 10 January 1692 and is buried at Iver in Buckinghamshire.

Photos of the gravestones can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Further reading for Sir Allen and his father:

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004.