Gravestones, Tombs & Memorials (14 page)
Read Gravestones, Tombs & Memorials Online
Authors: Trevor Yorke
Tags: #Gravestones Tombs and Memorials
FIG 5.11:
A very common epitaph which appears in the late 17th century and continued in use with variations into the 18th is the following: âAs you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be'. Note when reading them that what appears to be the letter âf' without the horizontal cross is an âs'.
Eighteenth-century inscriptions have a matter-of-fact attitude towards death, often recording details of the suffering endured by the deceased. Phrases like âa pale consumption gave the final blow' record the widespread loss of life to tuberculosis. The fact that there was little in the way of pain relief available until the early 19th century is shown in epitaphs like âAfflictions sore long time I bore, all human help was vain, âtil God did please Death should me seize, and ease me of my pain'. The high infant mortality rate, especially in the first half of the century, is well documented on memorials; one
common phrase being âReceived but yesterday the gift of breath, order'd tomorrow to return to Death'. Accidents were also recorded on many stones often with advice not to do the same. Loss in a shipwreck is common in coastal districts, while drowning is surprisingly widespread as few had reason to learn to swim.
FIG 5.12:
Another common 18th-century epitaph reminds us that there was little in the way of pain relief: âAfflictions sore long time I bore, Physicians ware in vain, Til God alone did hear my mone, And free me from my pain' (top example). Pain relief improved for the rich in the late 18th century, and became more widely available to others in the early 1800s, and âpainful death' fades away on epitaphs as a result.
Latin inscriptions
There are a number of common Latin phrases which can be found on memorials from all periods:
Tempus erat:
Time has run out or gone.
Memento Mori:
Means âRemember death'.
Sic transit gloria mundi:
This means âSo passeth away earthly glory'.
INRI:
The initials for the Latin phrase: âIesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum' which means âJesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.
XP:
The first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
IHS:
This is used as a symbol or monogram on many 19th-century gravestones and is a contraction of the Greek word for Jesus. It could also be an abbreviation of the Latin âJesus, Saviour of Men'.
There are also some English phrases which refer to life and death:
Empty tale
,
lighted taper
,
a dream
,
vapour
,
bitter draught
,
withering hay
or
a pilgrimage
refer to life.
Grim reaper
,
assassin
,
wrestler
,
bird of prey
,
a frost
,
a tide
, and
a whirlwind
refer to death.
FIG 5.13:
Despite the rather grim and morbid theme to 18th-century memorial texts, there are some which record a long and healthy life. Some are clearly exaggerations or misprints with ages quoted well over 100, others are more believable as in the above example of 88. This stone also records that this gentleman bequeathed his relatives upwards of £2,000. Some 17th-and 18th-century stones also record charitable donations made by the deceased.
FIG 5.14:
Some inscriptions pour compliments upon the deceased, the top example because he ânobly sacrificed his life by striving to save a companion from drowning'. The bottom example appears more of a flood of emotion typical of some from the 19th century.
FIG 5.15:
Sudden death took away the chance for the deceased to say proper farewells or be given the last rites. The top example reads âFarewell my Parents Brothers Sisters all, I must obey my last and greatest call; In early life while you lamenting say, Alas how sudden I was snatch'd away'. The bottom example asks the reader to reflect that âWhen least expected Death may be at hand'.
FIG 5.16:
Many 18th-century epitaphs tend to concern themselves with the family left behind, and refer to âmy wife and children dear' or âdearest friend', with assurances that the departed is missing them and thinking about their welfare. The above example reads âFarewell dear Husband my life is past, I loved you well while it did last, Think on my children for my sake, And ever on them pity take'.
FIG 5.17:
Murder most foul is clearly the subject of this gravestone of 1786 featuring a tree with a branch broken to signify a life cut short while the hammer may be the offending weapon. The inscription below is unrestrained in its condemnation of âa barbarous assassin', the victim describing the act as âby murd'rous hand my thread of life was broke; Dreadful the hour, and terrible the Stroke!'
From the turn of the 19th century the changing attitudes towards death are recorded in more romantic and sentimental epitaphs. Many use phrases like âmeet with you again' to remind them that the family would reunite in Heaven, or celebrate their passing as the resurrection of the individual with âeternal joy' and ârise again' widely used. Others concentrate on salvation through faith with biblical quotes becoming popular, or simple phrases like âI have kept the Faith' or âI have fought the good fight'. In the Victorian period the verses which had been popular for nearly two centuries were replaced by short often repeated quotes from the Bible.
FIG 5.18:
The theme of resurrection and the desire of the deceased to meet their family again in Heaven are common on late 18th- and early 19th-century epitaphs. The top example states: âWhen we asunder part, It gives us inward pain; But we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again'. The bottom one reads: âBut though her corps lies here, her hope was this, To meet her darling Sons in endless bliss'.
