Archaeologia Volume 32 Section VI. Observations on the Monumental Inscription to Richard Grey, Lord Grey de Wilton, in the Chapel of Eton College, Bucks. By Thomas William King, Rouge Dragon, F.S.A., in a Letter to William Bromet, M.D., F.S.A. Read 19th March, 1846.

Archaeologia Volume 32 Appendix. 19th March, 1846. Thomas W. King, Esq. F.S.A., communicated some observations on the monumental inscription to the memory of Richard Lord Grey de Wilton, in Eton College Chapel, accompanied by a pedigree, in illustration of the facsimile exhibited by Dr. Bromet on March 5. Richard Grey died in 1521, a minor and without issue; it is not easy to explain why he should be styled "one of the heyrs apparant to Richard Erll of Kent;" both were descended from John Lord Grey de Wilton, who died 17 Edward II., but the Earl had a brother living in 1521, who succeeded him. It is equally inexplicable why Richard Grey should be styled "Lord Grey Cotenore, Wylton, Ruthyn," as these baronies never merged in one individual. The barony of Grey de Codnor fell into abeyance in 1496, among the aunts of Henry, the last lord; and, had it been a barony limited to heirs male of the first baron, the Greys of Barton, a family existing at the time of Richard's death, would have had a prior claim. As regards the style of Ruthyn, Mr. King remarked that Richard's grandfather married the daughter of Edmund Lord Grey de Ruthyn; but his descent, thus deduced from that family, could in no wise have entitled him to the designation of that barony. Richard Earl of Kent died within three years after the decease of Richard Lord Grey de Wilton, and it seems pro bable, from the expression, "one of the heyrs apparant," that the monument at Eton was erected soon after; the insertion of the style "Lord Grey Cotenore, Wylton, Ruthyn," may possibly have been intended merely to indicate his connexion with the other ennobled branches of his ancient family.

Archaeologia Volume 32 Appendix. The sepulchral brass at Eton presents the figure of a young man in armour, with this inscription beneath, "Here lyeth buryed Richard Grey, Lord Grey Cotenore, Wylton, Ruthyn, and on of the heyrs apparant to Richard Erll of Kent, sone of Edmond Lord Grey, broder and heyre to George Lord Grey and Thomas Lord Grey, and hencheman to our soverain Lord King Henry the VIII. The which Richard decessyd the xxviii. day of October in the year of our Lord M.VCXXI."

Dr. Bromet noticed this memorial as shewing the union of these titles, which are generally supposed to have been separate long previous to that date.