Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and CuriositiesAnonymous
History
Historical Description of Westminster Abbey, Its Monuments and Curiosities
Anonymous
Westminster Abbey
On the left, opposite the Chapel of Islip, are two very ancient monuments
of Knights Templars. The first, that of EDMUND CROUCHBACK, son of Henry
III., so called, as some affirm, from the deformity of his person; but
according to others from his attending his brother in the holy wars, where
they wore a crouch or cross on their shoulders as a badge of Christianity.
From this Prince the House of Lancaster claimed their right to the crown.
On the base, towards the area, are the remains of ten knights, armed, with
banners, surcoats of armour and cross-belted, representing, undoubtedly,
his expedition to the Holy Land, the number exactly corresponding with
what Matthew Paris reports, namely, Edward and his brother, four Earls,
and four Knights, of whom some are still discoverable, particularly the
Lord Roger Clifford, as were formerly, in Waverley's time, William de
Valence, and Thomas de Clare.
The next ancient monument is to the memory of AYMER DE VALENCE, second and
last Earl of Pembroke of this family; he was third son of William de
Valence, Earl of Pembroke, "whom he succeeded in his estates and honours.
He was employed in the Scottish wars in the reigns of Edward I. and II.
Edward II., in 1314, appointed him general of all his forces from the
Trent to Roxborough. He was appointed to attend Isabel, the Queen Mother,
to France, and there murdered, on June 23rd, 1323."
The Countess of Lancaster's tomb is seen from the choir, but from this
part is hid by the monument of Lord Ligonier; it is canopied with an
ancient Gothic arch, the sides of which were decorated with vine branches
in relief, the roof within springing into many angles, under which lay the
image of a lady, in an antique dress, her feet resting upon lions, and her
head on pillars, supported by angels on each side. This monument covered
the remains of AVELINE, Countess of Lancaster, daughter of William de
Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle and Holdernesse, by Isabella daughter and
heiress of Baldwin, Earl of Devon. This lady married Edmund, Earl of
Lancaster, son of Henry III., but died the very year of her marriage, Nov.
4, 1293.
On the right is a monument to the memory of General WOLFE, who was killed
at the siege of Quebec, 1759. He is represented falling into the arms of a
grenadier, with his right hand over the mortal wound: the grenadier is
pointing to Glory in the form of an angel in the clouds, holding forth a
wreath ready to crown him, whilst a Highland sergeant looks sorrowfully
on: two lions watch at his feet. The inscription as follows:--"To the
memory of James Wolfe, Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the British
Land Forces on an expedition against Quebec, who, after surmounting, by
ability and valour, all obstacles of art and nature, was slain in the
moment of victory, on the 13th of September, 1759, the King and the
Parliament of Great Britain dedicate this monument."--_Wilton, sculptor._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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