Visits to Fields of Battle, in England, of the Fifteenth Century: to which are added, some miscellaneous tracts and papers upon archæological subjectsBrooke, Richard
History
Visits to Fields of Battle, in England, of the Fifteenth Century: to which are added, some miscellaneous tracts and papers upon archæological subjects
Brooke, Richard
Battlefields -- England; Great Britain -- History -- Wars of the Roses, 1455-1485
Whichever is the correct version, they, however, both coincide in the
main particulars, of its being Lord Dacre’s tomb; that he was a supporter
of King Henry VI., and was slain in battle, on Palm Sunday, 1461. From
the mention of King Henry VI., it may be surmised that the tomb was not
erected until after the death of Edward IV.
Drake mentions, that many years ago, this tomb was violently wrenched
open (for it had been strongly cramped together with iron), in order to
inter beneath it a Mr. Gascoyne, when the remains of Dacre’s body were
found, in a standing posture; and that a fragment of the slab, and a
material part of the inscription, were then broken off.
He does not inform us who or what Mr. Gascoyne was, when alive; but
whoever he was, whether of a high or low sphere in life, whether he was a
gentleman, or some rag-merchant, it evinced bad taste on the part of his
relations or representatives, to commit such an act; and perhaps some
culpable remissness on the part of the then incumbent of the church, to
permit it. Of Lord Dacre’s general character we know little; but from
that circumstance, we are at least justified in believing, that, unlike
two great leaders of the opposite parties, he was neither perjured like
Clarence, nor a murderer like Clifford; that is certainly only negative
praise; but we do know that he was at least a nobleman of high rank,
consistent in his principles, and one who died a warrior’s death, on the
field of battle: circumstances which ought to have preserved his remains
from profanation, and ought to have caused us to be spared the disgust
and indignation, which we naturally entertain, at the bad taste and bad
feeling evinced, in the violation of a soldier’s grave.
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