Pleurants

at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick The type began in England in the 13th century, inspired by French examples. The first examples had relief figures set within quatrefoil frames, as in the tomb now used for Henry Marshal, Bishop of Exeter (d. 1206) in Exeter Cathedral. The first recorded use of the English word is in a contract relating to the construction of the very grand tomb of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick, who died in 1437 in France, though the contract is some time later, and the weepers were made in 1452–53. This has the effigy and weepers in gilt-bronze, and still stands in the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, with the "xiv images embossed of lords and ladyes in divers verstures, called weepers", standing in niches around the sides, that were specified. == Franco-Burgundian examples ==

, Louvre, Paris , Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam On the Continent they are especially a feature of the tombs of Franco-Burgundian royalty, imitated by some grand nobles. The tomb at Royaumont Abbey of Louis of France (1244–1260), son of Louis IX of France, appears to have popularized the type. One end of the chest had a relief of the dead prince, covered by a cloth that leaves his face exposed, being carried by four bearers. • Mourners of Dijon, 15th century: originally there were 82 mourners. • Tomb of Isabella of Bourbon, originally in Saint Michael's Abbey. • Pleurants of Marguerite of Bourbon, Royal Monastery of Brou, by Conrad Meit. • Tomb of Philippe Pot, possibly created by Antoine Le Moiturier. • Tomb of Philip the Bold at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy at Dijon. • Pleurants of John, Duke of Berry • Pleurant of Bertholomey, Antwerp. ==See also==