Henry Harman was one of Henry VIII's barbers and a gentleman of his Privy Chamber. He was also one of the witnesses to Henry's will This was a vitally important document, for it gave the leader of the Protestant party the opportunity to become Protector of the realm when the young Edward succeeded. The signing of the will is the subject of a painting by Holbein.

Harman erected a monument to himself and his "faithful" wife, Agnes, depicting their 16 children. They all appear to be around 5 years old, however only two girls survived their parents. Harman and Agnes intended to be buried in the tomb, but lived for another 7 years and are buried nearby in Taynton.

The tomb is notable for the depiction of Amazon Indians, the earliest known representation in Britain of inhabitants of the "New World". These may be a reference to the trade that Harman financed along the coast of South America.

The tomb also has an early example of a post Reformation inscription - confidence in death and no reference to purgatory.