Traces of a string course on the south face of the south arcade may show the height of the original aisle roof.
In 1727, Sir John Danvers replaced the small south aisle with the present aisle. A carved tie beam shows the arms of Sir Joseph and the date 1727. Part of this aisle was set out as a chapel for the Danvers family. It was separated from the remainder of the south aisle by a west wall.
In the 19th century, the east window (showing the arms of Ferrers of Groby, Montfort of Leicester, Norton and Audley) was blocked up, and a porch added. The other windows were gothicised. Earlier this century, the west wall of the chapel was removed. Railings which then separated off the chapel were added to by some which had previously stood across the chancel arch.
Many members of the Danvers family are buried here, and many remembered in memorials.
A slate and brass memorial commemorates:
William Danvers (died 1656) and his wife Elizabeth (died 1676);
William’s son Henry (died 1687) and wife Ann (died 1686);
Henry’s son Samuel (died1693) and wife Elizabeth (died 1719);
and Samuel’s son, Sir Joseph Danvers (died 1796) [who rebuilt the chapel] and his wife Frances (died 1759).
Another memorial in slate and brass is ornamented with three cherubs heads above, and a carved skull and crossed palm leaves below. It commemorates five children of Sir John and Lady Mary Danvers, who all died young:
John Watson (died 1768 - age 13)
Joseph (died 1756 - age 3 months)
Henry (died 1759 - age 20 months)
William, and Suzannah.
Elizabeth (1684 - 174), daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Danvers
Francis (1683 - 1697), son of Samuel Danvers
Frances (1722 - 1724), daughter of Sir Joseph and Lady Frances Danvers
Frances (1730 - 1740), daughter of Sir Joseph and Lady Frances Danvers
John Watson (1755 - 1768), son of Sir John and Lady Mary Danvers
Joseph (1756 - 1756), son of Sir John and Lady Mary Danvers
Henry (1757 - 1759), son of Sir John and Lady Mary Danvers
A brass plate mounted on slate, dating from the 17th century, purports to show the pedigree of Sir John Danvers. [Of his six children, only one – Mary – survived to adulthood. In 1792 she married Augustus Richard Butler, second son of the Earl of Lanesborough. The Swithland estate passed to their children.]
During the construction of the chapel, a large raised monument of blue stone and alabaster, which had been erected in 1631 by William Danvers to his father, Francis Danvers, was taken down. However, the inscriptions on the tomb were retained and placed on the west wall of the chapel: they can now be seen in the brass and slate wall monument on the south wall of the aisle.
The chapel contains memorials to members of the Butler/Lanesborough family. The stained glass lunette in one window shows the arms of the Lanesborough family. On the floor is a plate to George John, 5th Earl, (1794-1866) and his second wife, Frederica Emma (1808-1870). [The 5th Earl founded the village school in 1843.] On the wall, alabaster plaques commemorate
Frances Arabella (died1850), first wife of the 5th Earl
Francis Almeric (1872 - 1925), third son of the 6th Earl
Brian Danvers (1876 - 1916), fourth son of the 6th Earl
Patrick Henry Stanley Danvers (1920 - 1944), youngest son of the 8th Earl
The hatchments are not contemporary with the construction of the chapel. They represent Danvers-Nevill impaling Morewood [Samuel married Elizabeth Morewood in 1683], and Danvers-Nevill impaling Babington [Sir Joseph Danvers married Frances Babington in 1721]. Others represent Danvers-Butler impaling Fremantle [George John, 5th Earl of Lanesborough, married Francis Arabella Freemantle in 1815]; impaling Bishop [the 5th Earl married Frederica Emma Hunter nee Bishop in 1851].
The nine Earls Of Lanesborough since 1756 are:
▪ Humphrey Butler, 1st Earl of Lanesborough (c. 1700–1768)
▪ Brinsley Butler, 2nd Earl of Lanesborough (1728–1779)
▪ Robert Herbert Butler, 3rd Earl of Lanesborough (1759–1806)
▪ Brinsley Butler, 4th Earl of Lanesborough (1783–1847)
▪ George John Danvers Butler-Danvers, 5th Earl of Lanesborough (1794–1866)
▪ John Vansittart Danvers Butler-Danvers, 6th Earl of Lanesborough (1839–1905)
▪ Charles John Brinsley Butler, 7th Earl of Lanesborough (1865–1929)
▪ Henry Cavendish Butler, 8th Earl of Lanesborough (1868–1950)
▪ Denis Anthony Brian Butler, 9th Earl of Lanesborough (1918–1998)
After the death of Denis Anthony Brian Butler, 9th Earl of Lanesborough, the title of Earl of Lanesborough became extinct due to no male heirs to continue the bloodline.
In the South West corner of the Nave, there is a 15th century memorial brass of AGNES SCOTT, mother of Lady Ferrers, the Latin inscription when translated reads:
Enclosed in the tomb lies Agnes Scott
Called the devout mother of Lady Ferrers
Whoever thou shall be: you shall pass by
Pour out thy prayers I beg
I am what thou shalt be
I used to be what thou art
Pray for me, I beg, Pray.