St. Giles' Church

When Abbot Briteric gave the church of Stapenhill to the abbey of Burton, the gift included all the appurtenances of the church, of which the chapel of Caldwell was undoubtectly one. William Rufus subsequently bestowed also the manor of Caldwell on the monks, and it was confirmed to them by Pope Lucius III.
The Church Goods Commissioners reported of Caldwell chapel, on October 5th, 1552, that it possessed-

" j chalyce parcell gylte with a cover, ij vestments with the albes, j aulter clothe, j towell, j surplyce, and ij bells in the steeple."

The report of the Parliamentary Commissioners, of 1650, has been already given under Stapenhill.
Caldwell manor and the impropriate tithes were granted by the Crown to Sir William Paget, in 1545. In the year 1550, Henry, Lord Paget, had license to alienate the manor, etc., to Peter Collingwood. On the death of Peter Collingwood, in 1588, he left his two nieces, Ellen, who married John Stone, clerk, and Margaret, who married Thomas Sannders, of Little Ireton. A few years later the moiety of the elder sister was transferred to the younger, so that Thomas Saunders was seized of the whole manor.
It remained in the Saunders family till the second half of last century, when it passed by marriage to the Mortimers. In the present century, the manor and impropriate tithes have changed hands by purchase on several occasions. A modus of £6 per annum for tithe-hay and other small tithes for Caldwell-was paid to the vicar of Stapenhill up to 1773, when the vicar claimed tithe in kind in the Court of Exchequer, and had a decision in his favour. Mr. Mortimer, the principal defendant, appealed to the House of Lords, but it was there confirmed in February, 1777. The tithes are now said to be commuted for £152 11s. Od.

The small chapel, which is dedicated, to S. Giles, is of great antiquity, hut only a few of its ancient features have survived the "thorough renovation" of 1843, and the "restoration" of 1865. Mr. Rawlins gives its area in 1835, as nave 30 ft. 5 in. by 17 ft. 5 in., and chancel 18ft. 1in. by 14ft. 4in. He makes mention of an old circular font, and a circular arch between the nave and chancel, both of which have disappeared. From the sketch that he gives, it seems that there were several fourteenth century windows on the south side, and a square wooden bell turret on the west gable. The roof of both nave and chancel were of a high pitch. The new features of the church, as it now stands, are after the Decorated period, but care was taken in 1865 not to obliterate all the old work. There are two very small lights, with circular heads, and of rude workmanship, in the nave, one on each side, and also another in the north wall of the chancel. These are, undoubtedly, of pre-Norman work, and must have been here when Abbot Briteric gave the church of Stapenhill and its appur- tenances to Burton monastery. The same may probably be said of the now blocked-up north doorway of the nave.
On the floor of the chancel are four alabaster slabs; one of these is altogether illegible, except the words memento mori; the others bear the following inscriptions:-

" Here lies expecting the second coming o{ Jesus Christ the body of Elizabeth Sleigh sole daughter and heire of Edmond Sleigh of Derby Merchant, wife to Callingwood Saunders the wt had issue by him dyed you .... sone, Margaret . . . . 2d Thomas, ye fourth Edmond, ye fifth John, ye sixth Daniell, ye seventh Daniell, the 8th Elizabeth, ye 9th Samuell, the 10th Joseph, the 11th Alice, the 12th Henry. She was born February 1588 dyed the fifth of August 1652,"

"Here lieth ye body of Major Henry Sanders of London, Silkman, long Captain of Cripplegate Company, younger sonne of Mr Thomas Sanders of Lulllington, borne May 1, 1582, died Jan. 3, 1616, had issue [by his wife Susanna, daughter of Christopher Alleston] Thomas, factor for the East India Company, dyed at Bantam, and Daniell, Silkeman, dyed at Stokerston, and others wth dyed wthout issue. He hath surviveing Henry, a Silkeman in London, George and Christopher in Newe England, and Susanna, married, to Mr Robert Mellor, 2ndly to Mr Sim. Ash, 3dly to Thomas "Woodcocke."

" Here lies expecting the second coming of Jesus Christ the body of Collinge- wood Sanders lord of Caldwall and Ireton in Derbyshire. Hee was eldest sone of Thomas Sanders of Lullington gentleman who had 5 sonnes and 4 daughters, and was home the 28th of August 1578 departed this life the 6th of May 1653. was married to Elizabeth sole daughter and heire of Edmond Sleigh of Derby Merchant, had issne by her nine sones and three daughters."

In the turret on the west gable are two bells, bearing the name of Taylor, bell-founder, of Loughborough, and the date 1865.