History

Clement Saunders, carver to three kings, is buried in the north transept of Westminster Abbey. His oval marble tablet was originally near his grave but has been moved to the adjoining chapel of St John the Evangelist. The inscription is very similar to that which was on the grave:

"Near this spot lyeth ye body of Clem.Saunders Esqr. (son of Sir Wm. Saunders of East Haddon & sometime of Cottesbrook in the county of Northampton Kt) carver in ordinary to Kg.Charles the 2nd, Kg.James ye 2nd & to His Maty.Kg.Wm.the 3rd. He departed this life on ye 10th of Aug. 1695 aged 84"

Above is his coat of arms "Argent, three elephants' heads erased sable".

His parents were William and Susan (Reade) and he had a brother William. He was well known among the nobility and died in Suffolk Street.

A photo of the tablet can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.