De Grey Mausoleum facts for kids
The de Grey Mausoleum is a very old and special building in Flitton, England. It's like a grand family tomb, one of the biggest in the whole country! This amazing building is where members of the de Grey family, who lived nearby at Wrest Park, were buried. It holds more than twenty monuments, which are like fancy statues or plaques remembering these important people.
The de Grey Mausoleum is so important that it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most historically significant buildings in England and is protected.
What is the de Grey Mausoleum?
The de Grey Mausoleum is a special chapel built for burials. It's shaped like a cross, which is called "cruciform." One part of the Mausoleum sits next to the church of St John the Baptist.
The oldest part of this building was constructed around 1614. Later, more sections were added in 1705. A famous architect named Edward Shepherd also worked on the building between 1739 and 1740, making it even grander.
Today, the de Grey Mausoleum is looked after by English Heritage. This is a group that protects important historical sites. You can even visit it and see its amazing history for yourself!
A Special Family Building
The de Grey family was a very important and powerful family in England. They lived at a grand estate called Wrest Park, which is close to the Mausoleum. This building was their private burial place, where generations of their family were laid to rest.
The Mausoleum shows how important and wealthy the de Grey family was. Each monument tells a story about a different family member, their life, and their achievements.
Important People Buried Here
Inside the de Grey Mausoleum, you'll find many monuments. These remember different members of the de Grey family and their relatives. Here are some of the notable people buried or remembered there:
- Henry Grey, 6th Earl of Kent (died 1614) and his wife, Mary Cotton. An Earl is a very high-ranking noble title.
- Henry Grey, 10th Earl of Kent (died 1651) and his wife, Arabella (died 1698).
- Lady Elizabeth Talbot (died 1651) and Lady Jane Hart (died 1673). These were important ladies connected to the family.
- Charles Grey (died 1623) and his son Henry Grey (died 1639). Their memorials are simple stone slabs.
- Lady Henrietta de Grey (died 1703) and Henry de Grey (died 1717).
- Lady Amabel de Grey (died 1727) and Lady Anne de Grey (died 1770).
- Anthony Grey, Earl of Harold (died 1723). His monument was created by an artist named Dowyer.
- Thomas Philip, 2nd Earl de Grey (died 1859). His monument was made by Matthew Noble.
- Henrietta Frances, Countess de Grey (died 1848). Her monument was created by Terence Farrell.
- Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent (died 1740). A Duke is an even higher noble title than an Earl. His monument includes a statue of him, possibly made by J. Michael Rysbrack.
- Jemima Grey, Duchess of Kent (died 1728). She was the Duke's first wife.
- Sophia de Grey (died 1748) and Ann Sophia de Grey (died 1780).
- Philip Yorke, 2nd Earl of Hardwicke (died 1790). His monument was made by Thomas Banks.
- Jemima Yorke, 2nd Marchioness Grey (died 1797). A Marchioness is another high noble title.
- Amabel Hume-Campbell, 1st Countess de Grey (died 1833).
- Mary Robinson, Baroness Grantham (died 1830). A Baroness is also a noble title.
- Harry Grey (died 1545). He was the son of George, Earl of Kent. His memorial was originally a brass plate from the nearby church.
These monuments show the long history of the de Grey family and their connections to important people throughout several centuries.
