Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 126, March 27, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.Various
History
Notes and Queries, Vol. V, Number 126, March 27, 1852: A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Various
Questions and answers -- Periodicals
In the parish church of Tenby there is an emaciated figure, lightly
wrapped in a winding-sheet, which is supposed to represent Tully, Bishop
of St. David's, of whose death a tradition, similar to that related by
BURIENSIS, is current. I should mention that there is also in the same
church another monument of a bishop (as is shown by the still
distinguishable mitre and crozier), which is also stated to be his. I
have been informed that where a monument was surmounted by a
representation of an emaciated corpse (emblematic of the poverty of
spirit in which the original was supposed to live and die), it was usual
to erect a second effigy, representing the departed as he actually
appeared to his fellow men. This last sentence I must however put in the
form of a Query, in the hope that some of your correspondents may answer
it with special reference to the supposed tomb, or tombs, of Bishop
Tully?
SELEUCUS.
There are two monuments of the description respecting which BURIENSIS
desires information in the county of Devon. One against the south wall
of the chancel of Feniton Church, is an elegant altar tomb ornamented
with quatrefoils, on which lies the effigy in a shroud, tied at the head
and feet. This may be assigned to the thirteenth century, but nothing
appears to indicate whether it is the monument of a priest or of one of
the Malherbe family, who were the lords of the soil. The other similar
monument is in the north aisle of the choir of Exeter Cathedral, and is
of later date. The skeleton figure lies on a slab in a recess under an
obtuse arch, all highly decorated with tracery, panels, and foliage.
This is said to be to the memory of Canon Parkhouse, buried in 1540. See
_Gough. Sepulch. Mon._ Introd. p. 111.; and Britton's _Exeter
Cathedral_, p. 139., and plate xxii.
J. D. S.
In the north aisle of Exeter Cathedral there is an instance similar to
that mentioned by your correspondent, BURIENSIS, of a monument with the
figure of a human skeleton lying at full length on a winding sheet. The
following inscription is over the arch:
"Ista figura docet: nos omnes premeditari
Qualiter ipsa nocet: mors quando venit dominari."
Tradition ascribes it to Bishop Lacy's tomb, and the vergers even at the
present day inform visitors that it was erected to commemorate his
attempt to fast during Lent. It is an exquisite piece of work. An
engraving of it may be found in Britton's _Exeter Cathedral_. I have
heard that there is a similar monument in Salisbury Cathedral, and it
appears probable, from there being more than one, that it was a
favourite device to represent the instability of human grandeur.
EXONIENSIS.
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