History

In the north choir aisle of Westminster Abbey is a large monument of black and white marble to the memory of Richard Le Neve. He was the second son of John Le Neve (died 1654), of Cavendish in the county of Suffolk, and Catherine (Griffith). He became a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy as early as 1666, and a Captain in 1671, but was killed in 1673 on board his ship the Edgar, fighting the Dutch.

His epitaph reads

 "Here lyeth the body of RICHARD LE NEVE Esquire, who after several engagements for his Majesty's service wherein he behaved himself with honor and applause, being appointed Commander of his Majesty's ship the Edgar, was unfortunately killed in the flower of his age, being but 27 years old, after he had signalised his valour to admiration in that sharp engagement with the Hollanders which happened on the 11th of August 1673'.

On the monument is his coat of arms: on a cross, five fleurs de lis.

John Le Neve

His brother John was also buried in the Abbey on 2 August 1693, but he has no monument. John's first wife Frances, daughter of Thomas Monk of Devon (elder brother of the famous General George Monk), died of smallpox and was buried near her husband in 1677. His second wife Amy, daughter of John Bent of London, was also buried here in 1687. Their only son was the well-known antiquary John Le Neve (1679-1741).

Richard's mother married secondly Robert Hope, Chief Clerk of the Spiceries to kings Charles I and II. She died 25 July 1682 and was buried near her sons.

Photographs of the monument can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.