Biography of Elizabeth Grimes Countess Coventry 1670-1724

On 15th July 1699 [her husband] Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry (age 70) died. His son [her step-son] Thomas (age 37) succeeded 2nd Earl Coventry, 6th Baron Coventry. Anne Somerset Countess Coventry (age 25) by marriage Countess Coventry. He was buried in St Mary Magdalene's Church, Croome D'Abitot [Map].

The Monument in St Mary the Virgin Church, Elmley [Map] was commissioned by his second wife (age 29) for installation at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Croome D'Abitot [Map] but it rejected by his son. She, apparently, being somewhat imaginative in the inscription describing her provenance to from the Graham family. She was the daughter of Richard Grimes, a mean person, by trade a Turner, and sister of Richard Grimes, a Waterman. She had been niece of the Earl's housekeep, and a servant in his household, and he had married her in his declined old age: "Elizabeth, Countess by her dower right, descended from the noble family of the Grahams, daughter of Richard, son of Richard Graham of the County of Norfolk, Esquire, who valiantly fought as a captain for King Charles I. She placed this, a token of sincere love and utmost respect, as a final pledge of her soul, mourning deeply, in gratitude for the tender affection shown to her by her lord and husband—though blessed with no children. And after her death, she desired that her body be laid here with her most beloved husband."

"Elizabeth comitissa eius dotaria e nobili Grahamorum familia prognatta Richardi filii Ricardi Graham de Com. Norff. Armi. pro rege Carolo Primo strenue dimicantis capitanei, filia; Hoc amoris sinceri, summæ observantiæ gratio demun animi pignus, pro tenerrimo dni et mariti erga se affectu nulla licet beata prole, moestissima posuit; et post obitum corpus suum cum dilectissimo marito hic recondi voluit."

Monument including a white marble figure elbow reclining on a deep chest in front of a lengthy inscription and under an arch crowned with armorial bearings. Large sub-figures flank the chest and the armorial bearings. Earl's coronet. Signed by William Stanton (age 60). Powdered Wig. Heeled Shoes. Buckled Shoes.

Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry: Around 1662 he was born to Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry and Winifred Edgecumbe. In 1691 Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry and Anne Somerset Countess Coventry were married. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort. He the son of Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry and Winifred Edgecumbe. They were sixth cousins. In August 1710 Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry died. His son Thomas succeeded 3rd Earl Coventry, 7th Baron Coventry.

Anne Somerset Countess Coventry: On 22nd July 1673 she was born to Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort. On 14th February 1763 Anne Somerset Countess Coventry died at Snitterfield, Warwickshire.