Elizabeth Fane

In St Nicholas' chapel in Westminster Abbey is a large elaborate monument of alabaster and marble to Elizabeth Fane. She was buried on 19th November 1618. The Latin inscription can be translated:

The Lady Elizabeth Fane, remarkable for her ancient descent, but more for her own virtue, daughter of Robert, Baron Spencer of Wormleighton, and wife to the honourable Sir George Fane, of Burston in the county of Kent, Knight. A chaste, modest and religious wife, who in most ardent ejaculations, frequently repeated, with a loud voice, recommended her soul to her Redeemer. In the year of our Lord 1618, with great character, of her age 28, of her marriage 10, leaving no issue. Her most afflicted husband, to this matchless wife, hath gratefully placed this monument, who, as his effigy is placed near hers, so intends their ashes shall be united.

Below is the English inscription:

This monument was restored by FRANCIS Baron le Despencer Anno Christi 1764.

Coats of arms on the monument include those of Fane (azure, three gauntlets, sinister, or), Nevile and Spencer.

Sir George was not actually buried here as the inscription implies. In his will he requested burial either at the Abbey or at Mereworth in Kent but he is actually buried in St Mary's church, Hunton, near Maidstone Kent. However, kneeling figures of both of them appear on the monument beneath a curtained canopy. George has his hand on a skull which lies on the desk between the effigies and Elizabeth is praying.

Elizabeth was the second daughter of Lord Spencer (of Althorp) by Margaret (daughter of Sir Francis Willoughby of Wollaton) and married Sir George on 3rd September 1607 but they had no children.

Sir George was born in1581, the second son of Sir Thomas Fane and Mary Neville (later 3rd Baroness Le Despencer). His brother was Francis, Earl of Westmorland. He was Member of Parliament for several towns in Kent, including Dover and Maidstone. His second wife was Anne (1600-1663/4), daughter of Sir Oliver Boteler, by whom he had six children, and he died on 26th June 1640. His monument at Hunton no longer remains but there are monuments there to Anne, put up by her daughter Elizabeth, and two of their children Thomas (1626-1692) and Francis (1627-1651)