Title:

Gentleman

Military Rank:

Captain

First Name:

Ralph

Last Name:

Sneyd

Memorial Type:

Memorial - Funerary

Does the monument still exist?

Yes

Installation Date:

post 1660

Inscription:

Ralph Sneyd was buried on 7 April 1643 at Church of St Margaret in Wolstanton, Staffordshire, England (Find A Grave: Memorial #182202671) without a memorial, but is mentioned on this memorial of Colonel Edward Fitton (1603-1643), who married his daughter, Felicia.

See: Crossley, Fred. H. 1939 The Post-Reformation Effigies and Monuments of Cheshire (1550-1800) in https://www.hslc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/91-2-Crossley-part-2.pdf M.S.

Inter Nobilissimos Majores Ipse Maximus
D. Eduardut, Fytton de Gawsworth Baronettus
Heic Situs Est,
qui antiquiss. Fyttonor. Gentem Clausit simul atq : impleuit.
Vltimus Primusq : sic Fata voluere.
Nempe vtvetusto stirpis splendor! Coronidemsu'mamimponeret
In se vno Omnium virtutes atq : praeconia congessit,
Decus, Robur, Fulgorem Corporis,
68 The Post-Reformation Effigies and
Candorem, Fidem, Probitatem animi:
Hoc sibi proprium habuit, quod Pacis gremio Lactatus,
Belli Furiis implicitus Nemo grandius intonuit,
Nee Rem Martis prius inexpertam praeclarius gessit:
A Carolo (Beatiss. Martyre) Trib. Mil. insignitus,
illius angustiis periculisq : Fidus Comes adhaesit,
Nee Spernendis copiis, Auxilium gratum tulit
Primum ad Edghill, vbi die cruento Tormentis Regiis Praefectus
Omnibus magis Tormentis Rebelles Turmas Concussit,
Dein ad Banburiam, Brainford : Redding : atq : Alibi saepius
Nunquam sine Laude et Lauro cum Cestriensibus suis
Fortissime meruit,
Demum Bristolliae, sed vrbe capta. atq : Triumphans
Heu Occidit.
Vxores duxit duas, lectissimas utrasq :
Primam Janam fil. D. Joh. Trevor
In Comit. Denbigh Militis,
E qua Filiolam unicam sed imature ereptam suscepit ;
Alteram sed nulli secundam Feliciam
Filiam D. Rad. Sneyd in agro Stafford. Armig
Quam tristiorem, quia improlem, reliquit. x
Denatus Bristolliae Mense Aug. quo et natus
Ano D. MDCXLIII Aetat XLIII.
Ibi fidum Cor, cerebrum, et mollia viscera
in B. Petri Ternplo fragili vrna conduntur ;
Reliquus cinis Oxon. primo ob bellicas turbas depositus,
inde demum post XX Anuos intercapedinem
infractus,' illaesus, Heic
in Gawsworthae suae dilectiss. sinu prout voluit, requiescit
Pia cura Honoratiss. D. Carol! Gerard,
Baronis de Brandon,
Sororis Filii,
Quern Haeredem instituit.
Celebrate Posteri.

Translation of above :
" Among most noble ancestors, himself the noblest, Sir Edward
Fytton, of Gausworth, baronet, lies here : In whom the ancient
house of the Fyttons was closed at once and perfected. The
last and yet the first (so willed the fates). In sooth that he might
add the last stroke to the ancient Glory of his line. In his single
person he joined the virtues and the praises of all, Bodily grace.
Monuments of Cheshire (1550-1800). 69
strength, and beauty, Mental uprightness, fidelity and honesty ;
He had this peculiar praise, that, though nursed in the lap of
peace, Yet, involved in the furies of war, no one was more distinguished, Or waged war (heretofore untried) more nobly ; by
King Charles, the blessed Martyr, he was raised to the rank of
Captain. And throughout his distresses and dangers stood faithfully by his side.
And with no mean forces brought him welcome
aid, First at Edgehill, where, on that bloody day in the command
of the Royal Artillery, He more than all the artillery, routed the
rebel troops, Afterwards, at Banbury, Brainford, Redding and
often elsewhere, Never without glory and laurels, with his Cheshire
troops, He fought most bravely, And finally at Bristol (but
not all the city was taken), he triumphed. Alas ! he perished.
He married two wives, both most accomplished. The first,
Jane, daughter of Sir John Trevor Knight in the County of Denbigh, By whom he had an only little daughter ;
Who was prematurely snatched away ; The second, who was second to none,
Felicia ; Daughter of Ralph Sneyd, Esq. in the county of Stafford :
Whose widowhood was the more grievious because childless ;
His life closed as it had begun in the month of August, at Bristol :
In the year of our Lord 1643, aged 43. Here his faithful heart,
his brains, and his soft bowels Are contained in a frail urn in
St. Peter's church : The rest of his ashes having been first
deposited at Oxford By reason of the tumults of war, Thence at
last after an interval of 20 years Unimpaired, uninjured, here In
the bosom of his own beloved Gawsworth, repose According as
he wished : By the dutiful care of the most noble Lord Charles
Gerard Baron of Brandon ; His sister's son, Whom he appointed
to be his heir. Praise him Posterity ! "

Allegiance:

Royalist

Condition:

Good

Condition Description:

Photographic evidence

Memorial Notes:

Memorial Notes:

See: See: Crossley, Fred. H. 1939 The Post-Reformation Effigies and Monuments of Cheshire (1550-1800) in https://www.hslc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/91-2-Crossley-part-2.pdf M.S.

Sneyd also mentioned on the memorial of Richard Lloyd 1606-1676, who married Sneyd's daughter Margaret.