Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
Not far from Davenant lies Sir ROBERT MURRAY, a great Mathematician, and
one of the founders of the Royal Society, of which he was the first
President, and while he lived the very soul of that body. He died
suddenly, July 4, 1673, in the garden at Whitehall, and was buried at the
King's expense.
In front of Dryden's monument, is an ancient stone, on which, by the marks
indented, has been the image of a man in armour. This covers the body of
ROBERT HAULE, who, at the battle of Najara, in Spain, in Richard II.'s
time, together with John Shakel, his comrade, took the Earl of Denia
prisoner, who, under pretence of raising money for his ransom, obtained
his liberty, leaving his son as a hostage in their hands. Upon their
coming to England, the Duke of Lancaster demanded him for the King; but
they refused to deliver him up without the ransom, and were therefore both
committed to the Tower, from whence escaping, they took sanctuary in this
Abbey. Sir Ralp Ferreris and Alan Buxal, the one Governor, the other
Captain of the Tower, with fifty men, pursued them, and having, by fair
promises, gained over Shakel, they attempted to seize Haule by force, who
made a desperate defence, but being overpowered by numbers, was slain,
August 11, 1378, in the choir before the prior's stall, commending himself
to God, the avenger of wrongs. A servant of the Abbey fell with him.
Shakel they threw into prison, but afterwards set him at liberty, and the
King and Council agreed to pay the ransom of his prisoner, 500 marks, and
100 marks a-year. Some years afterwards Shakel died, and was buried here
in 1396.
Under the pavement, near Dryden's tomb, lie the remains of FRANCIS
BEAUMONT, the dramatic writer, who died in London in 1628, and was buried
here, March 9, without tomb or inscription.
The new stained glass windows at the south end of the Transept of the
Abbey were executed by Messrs. Thomas Ward and J. H. Nixon, 1847:
description as follows:--
In the centre of the Rose Window, the name "JEHOVAH;" in the circle
surrounding the figures of angels.
In the large circle of surrounding lights are thirty-two separate subjects
taken from the principal incidents, miracles, and events in the life and
sufferings of our blessed Redeemer.
The height of the figures are nearly three feet. The subjects selected for
this circle are as follows:
1. The nativity of Jesus Christ.--_Luke_ ii. 7, &c.
2. Simeon's prophecy.--_Luke_ ii. 25.
3. Jesus reasoning with the doctors.--_Luke_ ii. 46.
4. The baptism of St. John the Baptist.--_Matt._ iii. 13.
5. The preaching on the Mount.--_Matt._ v. 1, &c.
6. Water made wine.--_John_ ii. 4.
7. The money changers expelled from the Temple.--_Matt._ xxi. 12.
8. The woman of Samaria.--_John_ iv. 7.
9. Walking on the sea.--_Matt._ xiv. 29.
10. Raising of Jairus' daughter.--_Mark_ v. 41.
11. The pool of Bethesda.--_John_ v. 4, &c.
12. The Centurion's faith.--_Matt._ viii. 8, &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account