He seems to have feared posthumous difficulties, as contemporary sources at the time of his death describe him as being in a distressed state of mind, his body "restless, on the score of some sinne by him peradventure committed".

A "wondrous commotion" and "tremblements de terre" in the earth near his burial place at St Mary's Church, Islington were ended only after an exorcism "at dede of night, nothing lothe, using divers divine exercises at torche light, set at rest the unrulie spirit of the sayde Cloudesley, and the earthe did returne aneare to its pristine shape".

[2]: 12–13  [3] Cloudesley bequeathed 14 acres (5.7 ha)[Note 1] of land called the “Stony Fields” to the parish of St Mary's, asking that yearly forever a solemn obit (a mass for the dead) should be said for the repose of his soul.

[5]: 54 The land survived the Reformation unconfiscated, and was used as meadow or pasture for the next three centuries, often for overnight grazing for cattle being herded to Smithfield Market.

[11] The square forms an irregular hexagon, combining terraces with canted corners, and free-standing villas on the east side.

[10]: 24-29 The centre of the square is occupied by Holy Trinity Church, which was designed by the young Charles Barry, best known for his role in the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster (also known as the Houses of Parliament).

[12]: 658  It was designed in the newly fashionable Perpendicular style and recognisably copies King’s College Chapel, Cambridge in brick.

The tower-less Holy Trinity's most distinctive feature is the large West window, balanced by two octagonal towerlets.

[8]: 49  The stained glass East window of 1828 by Thomas Willement depicts Richard Cloudesley, with his portrait, kneeling, in the centre, below a canopy, with a long description of his donation.