Lady Eleanor Grey, was an English noblewoman, and the first wife of Sir John Arundell of Lanherne in Cornwall, "the most important man in the county", being Receiver-General of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Background
Their monumental brass in the church at Street Columb Major in Cornwall was described by Dunkin (1882) as "perhaps the most elaborate and interesting brass to be found in Cornwall." Her father was Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset. Lady Eleanor Grey was a daughter of Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset, and Cecily Bonville, Baroness Harington and Bonville, one of the wealthiest heiresses in England in the latter half of the 15th century.
Career
Lady Eleanor was an ancestor of the later Barons Arundell of Wardour. Elizabeth"s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort of King Edward IV of England. Through her father Thomas Grey she was (half) niece of the following people.
Elizabeth of York, queen consort to Henry VII of England (11 February 1466 – 11 February 1503).
Edward V of England (4 November 1470 – c 1483). Briefly succeeded his father, as King Edward V of England.
Was the elder of the Princes in the Tower. Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York (17 August 1473 – c 1483).
Was the younger of the Princes in the Tower.
Elizabeth Grey died on an unknown date sometime around 1503. Her memorial brass is located at Street Columb Major Church in Cornwall although it is not clear if she is actually buried there. Eleanor appears on the memorial brass of Sir John Arundell, but her name is incorrected stated as "Elizabeth".
She is depicted on the right hand of the knight, her head rests on a square cushion, the shield with the following arms: Per pale, the dexter quarterly of six, — 1.
Six swallows (Arundell). 2. Four fusils conjoined in fesse (Dynham).
3. In chief a double arch, in base a single one (Arches).
4. An escutcheon within an orle of martlets (Chideocke of Chideocke, co Dorset). 5. A bend (Carminow).
6. As the first. impaling, quarterly of eight, — 1.
Barry of six, in chief three roundels (Grey, Marquis of Dorset). 2. A maunche (Hastings).
3. Barry of ten, an orle of martlets (de Valence, Earl of Pembroke).
4. Seven mascles conjoined three, three and one (de Quincy, Earl of Winchester). 5. Lost, probably a cinquefoil, for Bellomont, Earl of Leicester.
6. Lost, probably a fesse and canton, for Widville, Earl Rivers.
7. Six mullets, pierced, three, two and one (Bonville). 8. A fret (Harrington).