• In circa 1530 the chancel was re-built by Sir William Fitzwilliam.
• Sir William Fitzwilliam died in 1534 and was buried in canopied altar tomb with his wife, in the north east corner of the chancel.
• During the 16th century the aisles of the nave were burnt down and outer walls pulled down, the arcades were blocked up with windows built into them.
• In 1599 Sir William Fitzwilliam II died and a memorial was erected in the south east corner of the chancel, for him and his wife.
• In 1646 Edward Hunter died and the black obelisk was erected in his memory beside the priests' door.
• In 1674 the canopied altar tomb was repaired by Lord Fitzwilliam and a brass plaque was inserted.
• In 1719 First Earl William Fitzwilliam died and was buried with his wife in the monument on the north west wall of the chancel, of 2 life size figures.
• In 1868 the blocking was removed and the aisles re-built.
• During the 18th century a Venetian Sanctuary Light was hung above the altar in memory of Lady Hastings and her husband.

Architecture:

The chancel was built towards the end of the pre-Reformation period and there few medieval remains other than the memorials to the Fitzwilliam family. There are 4 monuments in the Chancel of the church, all in memory of members of the Fitzwilliam family.

The main one is on the north wall in the east corner; it is in memory of the first Sir William Fitzwilliam and his first wife Anne. This canopied tomb is made from Purbeck marble. It has a crested canopy and a groined vault with pendants; the supporting columns are patterned and twisted on which rest the entablature which has elaborately carved panels and plinth. The 3 wrought iron spiral bars (that have been removed) would have been inserted into the tomb to reinforce the marble pillars after the damage during the civil war. This type of altar tomb is typical of its kind in the late 15th and early 16th century, and it may also have been used as an Easter Sepulcher.

The brass is fixed onto the wall slab and is composed of two kneeling figures; 39.37 cm (15.5 in) tall in heraldic attire, with precatory scrolls, a foot inscription 48.9 cm (19.25 in) by 11.43 cm (4.5 in) incorporating a shield and an upright plate 52.1 cm (20.5 in) by 22.86 cm (9 in) between the figures, flanked on either side by 5 shields.

There is a recorded inscription of when Lord Fitzwilliam restored the tomb in 1674. He supplied a new top half to the male figure, 2 of the side shields and there is some evidence of the structure of the tomb being repaired. The tomb was most probably damaged during the civil war when it is believed that the church was set on fire.

On the back façade of the tomb, beneath the canopy, there are brass inscriptions. There is the figure of Sir William in amour of the period, kneeling on an embroidered cushion resting on a chequered pavement. He has flowing hair and a pointy beard, with ruffles at the cuffs and neck. The lady can be identified as Anne, his first wife. She is wearing a kennel headdress and plain kirtle under a mantle fastened in front by a handsome cord with tassels and rosettes. Her hands are set apart in the ecstatic form of prayer. You can see a small portion of cushion and chequered pavement beneath her gown.

The arms on the mantle are from the Fitzwilliam family, Dirby of Tatshall, and Warenne. Above and below restoration inscription are coats of arms surmounted by coronets and flanked by 2 spiral columns capped by coronets.

The text of the precatory scrolls is unusual because it doesn't come from the Bible but its meaning is Christian and is taken from Virgil's 'Aeneid', Book V. There are several other coats of arms from both sides of the family also displayed in the brass back plate.

The 2nd monument is in the southeast corner and commemorates the grandson of Sir William, who died in 1599, and his wife Anne. They are both laying next to text other on a raised plinth, Sir William is represented in amour and Anne is in a dress of the period. He is holding her hand.

The 3rd monument beside the priests door and commemorates Edward Hunter, alias Perry, who died in 1646. A black obelisk surmounts the white marble portrait bust with a cartouche supported by weeping putty. The inscription on it notes that he died during the Civil War and requests that passing Cromwellian puritan soldiers should not desecrate the monument.

The final monument is on the west of the north wall and it commemorates William, Third Earl Fitzwilliam who died in 1719, and his wife. It is one of the finest examples of an 18th century monument; the sculpture was James Fisher of Camberwell and it was made at a cost of #900. It consists of 2 life size figures framed by Corinthian pilasters and a pediment. The tomb was originally much larger, the figures were flanked by 2 further columns and figures or grief and piety.

Social history:

William Fitzwilliam was born circa 1460 and in 1502 he purchased the manors of Milton and Marholm. He was married 3 times and had 5 sons between his first 2 wives. His 2nd son, William, became heir to the estate.

On the main altar tomb it is curious that the figure of Sir William's 1st wife is shown but there is no mentioned of her or her successors in the inscription. Also the arms of his 2nd wife appear as the impaled coat on the sinister side of the shield incorporated in the foot inscription, however the arms of his 3rd wife are not mentioned.