CoAs on the west face of St Andrew's church tower, Cubley. Believed to be that of John Montgomery (abt. 1475 - abt. 1513), and that of his wife Elizabeth (Gresley) Giffard. Located either side of the west doorway, to the left John Montgomery, on the right Elizabeth (Gresley) Giffard.
Although not (pardon the pun) 'set in stone', it seems sensible that the parents / elders of the family place their arms at the entrance to the edifice that presumably they had built (the tower is late 15th century). Although the construction of the tower may have been instigated by the father of John, Nicholas Montgomery (
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John Montgomery (abt. 1475 - abt. 1513) -
"6 June 1495: Quitclaim by James Graves Rector of the parish church of Sudbury to John Mountgomery Esq., of all and singular the manors, lands, tenements etc with all appurtenances which were of Nicholas Mountgomery deceased in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
John Montgomery was knighted at the Battle of Blackheath on 17 June 1497.
Sir John Montgomery was a feoffee of the estates held in trust for his cousin's son George Meverell (aft.1478-1526) of Throwley, Staffordshire, in 1498. By a charter dated 28 July 1498, Sir John was entrusted with the manors of Throwley and Fradswell in Staffordshire and Tideswell in Derbyshire on behalf of his cousin Thomas Meverell of Throwley. The trusteeship also included arranging marriages for Thomas Meverell's daughters.
John Montgomery, the last heir male (of Cubley, Derbyshire), died in 1513, leaving three daughters coheirs.
He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Gresley and Anne Ferrers. In 1508 and 1513 in his will he made provision of property for his two younger brothers as it was apparent that he would leave no male heir. His feoffees included Sir John Aston, Henry Sacheveral, Ralph Delves, William and John Gresley and Ralph Leeke. He died in 1513 and his male heir under entail of the estates was his brother Ralph. Elizabeth remarried Sir John Giffard of Chillington and in 1515 they brought a suit against Ralph Montgomery for the next presentation to Cubley church. During the suit evidence was given that Sir John Montgomery had enfeoffed Edward, Lord Hastings and others in the manor and the feoffees had regranted to Sir John and Elizabeth his wife and heirs male of the body of Sir John. Elizabeth claimed to hold Cubley and the advowson for her life. The verdict was in favour of Elizabeth and Sir John Giffard. A pedigree was given with the suit showing the Montgomery succession i.e. Walter - Nicholas I - Nicholas II - Nicholas III - Nicholas IV - John. Ralph died without issue in 1517 leaving his nieces, Sir John's daughters, as coheirs."
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Elizabeth (Gresley) Giffard (abt. 1475) -
"Elizabeth daughter of Sir Thomas Gresley and Anne Ferrers married first Sir John Montgomery. Her daughter Dorothy Montgomery married Sir Thomas Giffard of Chillington. Sir John Montgomery died in 1513.
Elizabeth Gresley married secondly Sir John Giffard, 12th Lord Chillington, son of Robert Giffard, 11th Lord Chillington and Cassandra Humphreston, after 1513. In 1515 Elizabeth and Sir John Giffard brought a suit against Ralph Montgomery (abt.1485-1517) for the next presentation to Cubley church. Elizabeth claimed to hold Cubley and the advowson for her life. The verdict was in favour of Elizabeth and Sir John Giffard."
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