That gentleman is represented dying, and at his feet is a boy weeping.
Underneath on a table of black marble in white letters is this short
inscription:
Thomas Thynne of Longleate in Com. Wilts, Esq; who was
barbarously murdered on Sunday the 12th of February, 1682.
And upon the pedestal the story of his murder is finely represented in
relief.
This last observation makes it necessary to give the particulars of
this murder, which we shall do from a very accurate, tho’ small work,
from which we have obtained considerable assistance in the description
of many things relating to the Abbey. The above murder was conspired
by Count Koningsmark, and executed by three assassins hired for that
purpose, who shot this unhappy gentleman in Pall-Mall, in his own
coach. The motive was, to obtain the rich heiress of Northumberland in
marriage, who in her infancy had been betrothed to the Earl of Ogle,
but left a widow before consummation; and afterwards married to Mr.
Thynne; but being scarce fifteen, and her mother extremely tender of
her, and at the same time desirous of her having issue, prevailed upon
her husband to travel another year before he bedded her, in which time
she became acquainted with Koningsmark at the Court of Hanover.
Whether she had ever given him any countenance is uncertain; but
having no grounds to hope to obtain her while her husband lived, he in
this villainous manner accomplished his death: the Lady, however,
detested this base and inhuman conduct, and soon after married the
great Duke of Somerset.—At the time this happened, a report was spread
that Mr. Thynne had formerly debauched a woman of family and
character, on honourable pretences; but upon his uncle’s leaving him
10,000_l._ a year; he basely deserted her; whence arose the saying,
that _he had escaped his misfortune, if he had either married the Lady
he had lain with, or lain with the Lady he had married_. But we do not
pretend to insinuate that there was any truth in this story. It may
probably be only a cruel piece of defamation. _Historical Description
of Westminster Abbey._
85. The monument of Dame Grace Gethin, is ornamented with a figure of
a Lady devoutly kneeling, with a book in her right hand, and her left
on her breast; on each side is an angel, one holding over her head a
crown, and the other a chaplet; and on the ascending sides of the
pediment are two female figures in a mournful posture. It is adorned
with three different coats of family arms, and on the base is an
English inscription, which also lets us know that she was married to
Sir Richard Gethin of Gethin Grott in Ireland; was famed for her
exemplary piety, and wrote a book of devotions, which Mr. Congreve has
complimented with a poem. She died Oct. 11, 1697, aged twenty-one.
86. A monument erected to the memory of two sisters, the daughters of
Ralph Freke of Hannington in Wilts, Esq; whose busts in relief
ornament the sides. The inscription observes, that the eldest, named
Elizabeth, was married to Percey Freke of West Bilney in Norfolk, and
died on the 7th of April 1714; that Judith the youngest married Robert
Austin of Tenterden in Kent, and died May 19, 1716: and that they were
both the best of daughters, the best of wives, and the best of
mothers.
87. A large monument of black marble erected to the memory of Sir
Thomas Richardson, Lord Chief Justice of England in the reign of King
Charles I. He died in 1634, and his tomb is adorned with his effigy in
brass, lying in his robes, and his collar of S S.
88. An ancient monument raised to the memory of William Thynne of
Botterville, Esq.; it is of marble and alabaster gilt, and is adorned
with the statue of that gentleman lying at full length. The
inscription informs us, that he was a polite gentleman, a great
traveller, and a brave soldier, and that he died on the 14th of March
1584.
89. A very handsome monument erected for that learned grammarian Dr.
Busby, master of Westminster school; who is represented in his gown,
looking earnestly at the inscription; holding in his right hand a pen,
and in his left a book open. Upon the pedestal underneath are a
variety of books, and at the top is his family arms. The inscription
is a very elegant one, and intimates whatsoever fame the school of
Westminster boasts, and whatever advantages mankind shall reap from
thence in future times, are all principally owing to the wise
institutions of this gentleman, who was born at Lutton in
Lincolnshire, Sept. 22, 1606, and after being made Master of
Westminster college was elected Prebendary of Westminster, and
Treasurer of Wells. He died April 5, 1695.
90. The next monument, is that erected to the memory of Robert South,
D.D. who is represented in a recumbent posture in his canonical habit,
with his arm resting on a cushion, and his right hand on a death’s
head. In his left he holds a book with his finger between the leaves,
as if just closed from reading, and over his head is a group of
cherubs issuing from a mantling. This monument is however very badly
executed, and the statue is clumsy and unmeaning. It has a long Latin
inscription, shewing that this celebrated divine was scholar to Dr.
Busby, and student at Christ Church, Oxford; that by the patronage of
the Lord Clarendon he was made Prebendary both of Westminster and
Christ Church, and afterwards rector of Islip, where he rebuilt the
parsonage house, and founded and endowed a school for the education of
poor children. He died on the 8th of July 1718, aged eighty-two.
_The Monuments in the Cloisters._ The most ancient of these are
towards the east end of the south walk, where lie the remains of four
Abbots marked in the pavement by four stones.
The first of these covers the Abbot Vitales, who died in 1082, and was
formerly covered with brass plates.
The second is of grey marble, to the memory of Gislebertus Crispinus,
who died in 1114, and whose effigies may still be traced on the stone.
Under the third, which is a raised stone of Sussex marble, lies the
Abbot Laurentius, who died in 1176, and is said to be the first who
obtained from Pope Alexander III. the privilege of using the mitre,
ring and globe.
The last is of black marble, and covers the ashes of Gervasius de
Blois, who was natural son to King Stephen, and died in 1166. This is
called Long Meg, from its extraordinary length, it being eleven feet
eight inches. All these seem to have had their names and dates cut
afresh.
In the east walk is a handsome monument erected to the memory of
Daniel Pulteney, Esq; facing those of the above Abbots; the
inscription on which is much admired for the purity of the diction,
and its propriety and elegance, and is as follows:
Reader,
If thou art a BRITON,
Behold this tomb with reverence and regret.
Here lieth the remains of
DANIEL PULTENEY,
The kindest relation, the truest friend,
The warmest patriot, the worthiest man;
He exercised virtues in this age,
Sufficient to have distinguished him even in the best.
Sagacious by nature,
Industrious by habit,
Inquisitive with art,
He gain’d a compleat knowledge of the state of Britain,
Foreign and domestic.
In most the backward fruit of tedious experience,
In him the early acquisition of undissipated youth.
He served the court several years:
Abroad in the auspicious reign of Queen Anne,
At home, in the reign of that excellent Prince K. George the First.
He served his country always,
At court independent,
In the senate unbiass’d,
At every age, and in every station:
This was the bent of his generous soul,
This was the business of his laborious life.
Public men, and public things,
He judged by one constant standard,
_The true interest of Britain_;
He made no other distinction of party,
He abhorred all other:
Gentle, humane, disinterested, beneficent,
He created no enemies on his own account:
Firm, determined, inflexible,
He feared none he could create in the cause of Britain.
Reader,
In this misfortune of thy country, lament thy own:
For know
The loss of so much private virtue
Is a public calamity.
Almost at the end of the north east walk is a monument against the
Abbey wall to the memory of the Rev. Mr. William Laurence, the
inscription on which is remarkable for its quaintness, and is as
follows:
With diligence and trust exemplary,
Did William Laurence serve a Prebendary;
And for his pains, now past, before not lost,
Gain’d this remembrance at his master’s cost.
O! read these lines again, you seldom find
A servant faithful, and his master kind.
Short-hand he wrote, his flower in prime did fade,
And hasty death short hand of him hath made.
Well couth he numbers, and well measur’d land,
Thus doth he now that ground whereon we stand,
Whereon he lies so geometrical,
Art maketh some, but thus will Nature all.
Ob. Dec. 28. 1621. Ætat. 29.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _E. Rooker sc._ _Henry the Seventh’s
Chapel._]
_Henry the Seventh’s Chapel._ As this is a separate building from
Westminster Abbey, we did not think proper to confound it with the
other chapels; and as it is joined to the Abbey, we did not chuse to
render it so distinct an article as it would have been, had we given
it the place it would have demanded in the order of the alphabet. It
is to be examined at the same time with that edifice, and we have
followed the example of the architect in uniting them.
This chapel, which was founded by Henry VII. in the year 1502, and the
succeeding years, is styled by Leland the wonder of the world. It is
situated to the east of the Abbey, to which it is so neatly joined,
that on a superficial view it appears to be one and the same building.
It is supported by fourteen Gothic buttresses, all beautifully
ornamented, and projecting from the building in different angles, and
is enlightened by a double range of windows that throw the light into
such a happy disposition as at once to please the eye, and afford a
kind of solemn gloom. These buttresses extend up to the roof, and are
made to strengthen it by their being crowned with Gothic arches. In
these buttresses are niches, in which formerly stood a number of
statues; but these being greatly decayed, have been long taken down.
This chapel is one of the most expensive remains of the ancient
English taste and magnificence; there is no looking upon it without
admiration: yet, perhaps, its beauty consists much more eminently in
the workmanship than the contrivance. The plate shews the outside,
where it joins to the Abbey, and gives some idea of the fine taste of
Gothic architecture in that age, which seems to have been its
meridian; but it soon fell into the bad taste practised in the time of
Queen Elizabeth, as may be seen in the tomb of this Queen and her
predecessor in the side aisles of this chapel.
This may be sufficient for the outside of this edifice, the entrance
to which is from the east end of the Abbey, by a flight of steps of
black marble, under a very noble arch, that leads to the gates opening
to the body or nave of the chapel: for, like a cathedral it is divided
into a nave and side isles, to which you may enter by a door on each
hand. The gates at the entrance of the nave are of brass curiously
wrought in the manner of frame work, and have in every other open
pannel a rose and portcullis alternately.
Being entered, the eye is naturally directed to the lofty ceiling, in
the most admirable manner wrought with such an astonishing variety of
figures as is impossible to be described. The stalls on each side are
of oak, with Gothic canopies, most beautifully carved, as are also the
seats; and the pavement is of black and white marble, laid at the
charge of Dr. Killigrew, once Prebendary of this Abbey. The east view
from the entrance presents you with the brass chapel and tomb of the
founder, which will be hereafter described, and round it where the
east end forms a semicircle, are the chapels of the Dukes of
Buckingham and Richmond. At that end the side isles open to the nave.
It must not be omitted, that the walls both of the nave and the side
isles are adorned with the most curious imagery imaginable, and
contain an hundred and twenty statues of patriarchs, saints, martyrs
and confessors, under which are angels supporting imperial crowns,
besides innumerable small ones, all of them esteemed so curious, that
the best masters are said to have travelled from abroad to copy them.
The roof of the side isles is flattish, and supported on arches
between the nave and side isles turning upon twelve stately Gothic
pillars, curiously adorned with figures, fruitage and foliage. The
windows, besides a spacious one at the east end, are thirteen on each
side above and as many below, and were formerly painted, having in
each pane a white rose, the badge of the house of Lancaster, a B the
initial letter of the founder’s name, or portcullises crowned, the
badge of the Beaufort’s family, of which there are some now remaining.
This chapel was originally designed as a sepulchre appropriated solely
to the use of those of royal blood; and so far has the will of the
founder been observed, that none have been yet interred there, but
those of high quality, whose descent may generally be traced from some
of our ancient Kings: I shall therefore mention each of these tombs,
beginning with that which is the most ancient, as well as the most
astonishing.
It has been already observed, that in the middle of the east end of
the nave is situated the magnificent tomb of Henry VII. this is
enclosed with a screen of cast brass, most admirably designed, and
executed; this screen is nineteen feet in length, eleven in breadth,
and the same in height. It is ornamented with statues, of which those
only of St. James, St. Bartholomew, St. George, and St. Edward, are
now remaining; and also adorned with other devices alluding to King
Henry the Seventh’s family; as portcullises, signifying his relation
to the Beaufort’s by his mother’s side; roses twisted and crowned, in
memory of the union of the two houses of Lancaster and York, by his
marriage; and at each end a crown in a bush, alluding to the crown of
Richard III. found in a hawthorn bush, near Bosworth field, where the
famous battle was fought in which Richard lost his life. Within the
rails are the effigies of the royal pair, in their robes of state, on
a tomb of black marble, the head whereof is supported by a red dragon
the ensign of Cadwalladar, from whom King Henry VII. was fond of
tracing his descent, and the foot by an angel.
At the head of this tomb lie the remains of Edward VI. grandson to
Henry VII. who died in the sixteenth year of his age, and the seventh
of his reign. A fine monument was erected to his memory by Queen Mary,
his sister and successor; it was adorned with curious sculpture
representing the passion and resurrection of our Saviour; with two
angels on the top kneeling; and the whole elegantly finished; but it
was afterwards demolished as a relict of Popish superstition.
On one side of Henry the Seventh’s tomb in a small chapel, in which is
the monument of Lewis Stuart Duke of Richmond, and Frances his wife;
whose statues in cast brass are represented lying on a marble table
under a canopy of brass curiously wrought, and supported by the
figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Prudence; and on the top is a
figure of Fame taking her flight, and resting only on her toe.
On the north side of Henry the Seventh’s tomb is a monument decorated
with several emblematical figures in brass gilt; the principal is
Neptune in a pensive posture with his trident reversed, and Mars with
his head crushed; these support the tomb on which lie the effigies of
George Villars Duke of Buckingham, the great favourite of King James
I. and King Charles I. who fell a sacrifice to the national resentment
by the hand of Felton. His Grace married Catharine, daughter to the
Earl of Rutland, who erected this monument to his memory, and lies in
effigy on the same tomb by his side. The Latin inscription, after
recounting his noble qualities, and high titles, alludes to the story
of his death.
Of a later date, and superior in point of design and workmanship, is a
noble monument erected to the memory of John Sheffield Duke of
Buckingham, where his Grace’s statue in a Roman habit, is laid in a
half raised posture on an altar of fine marble: his Duchess is
represented standing at his feet weeping. On each side are military
trophies; and over all an admirable figure of Time holding several
medallions representing the heads of their Graces children. This
monument is very justly admired. It has been observed, that the Duke
himself appears the principal figure in the group, and though he lies
in a recumbent posture, and his Lady is in the most beautiful manner
placed at his feet, yet her figure is so characterized, as to be only
a guide to his, and both reflect back a beauty on each other. The
decorations are allowed to be extremely picturesque and elegant; the
trophies at his head, the figure of Time above, with the medallions of
his children, fill up all the spaces with such propriety, that little
could be added, and nothing appears superfluous. The inscription sets
forth the Duke of Buckingham’s posts, and his qualifications as a good
poet, and a fine writer; and over his statue is inscribed in Latin
sentences to the following purpose:
I lived doubtful, not dissolute.
I die unresolved, not unresigned.
Ignorance and error are incident to human nature.
I trust in an Almighty and All-good God.
Thou King of Kings have mercy upon me.
And underneath:
For my King often, for my Country always.
His Grace died in the 57th year of his age, Feb. 24, 1720,
leaving the publication of his works to the care of Mr. Pope.
He had three wives; the first, Ursula, Countess of Coventry;
the second, Catharine, Countess of Gainsborough; the third,
Catharine, Countess of Anglesey.
In this isle there is a lofty pyramid supported by two griffins of
gilt brass, on a pedestal of the most curious marble, erected to the
memory of Charles Montague, Marquis of Halifax, son to George Montague
of Horton. He was placed at the head of the treasury in the reign of
King Charles I. and undertaking the reformation of the coin, which was
then most infamously clipped, he restored it to its proper value. For
this, and other public services, he was first created Baron, and then
Marquis of Halifax.
Against the east wall at the end of the north isle is a monument in
the form of a beautiful altar, raised by King Charles II. to the
memory of Edward V. and his brother Richard, on which is an
inscription in Latin, to the following purport:
Here lie the reliques of Edward V. King of England, and
Richard Duke of York, who, being confined in the Tower, and
there stifled with pillows, were privately and meanly buried,
by order of their perfidious uncle Richard the Usurper. Their
bones, long enquired after and wished for, after lying two
hundred and one years in the rubbish of the stairs, lately
leading to the chapel of the White Tower, were on the 17th of
July 1674, by undoubted proofs discovered; being buried deep
in that place. Charles II. pitying their unhappy fate, ordered
these unfortunate Princes to be laid amongst the reliques of
their predecessors, in the year 1678, and the 20th of his
reign.
At the east end of the same isle is a vault in which are deposited the
bodies of King James I. and Anne his Queen, daughter to Frederic II.
King of Denmark.
Over this vault is a small tomb adorned with the figure of a child,
erected to the memory of Mary the third daughter of James I. who was
born at Greenwich in 1605, and died at two years old.
There is also another monument on which is the representation of a
child in a cradle, erected to the memory of Sophia, the fourth
daughter of the same King, who was born at Greenwich in 1606, and died
three days after.
In the same isle is a lofty monument erected to the memory of Queen
Elizabeth by King James I. her successor. The inscription represents
her character, high descent, and the memorable acts of her glorious
reign, “That she was the mother of her country, and the patroness of
religion and learning; was herself skilled in many languages, adorned
with every excellence of mind and person, and endowed with princely
virtues beyond her sex: that in her reign religion was refined to its
original purity; peace was established; money restored to its just
value; domestic insurrections quelled; France delivered from intestine
troubles; the Netherlands supported; the Spanish Armada defeated;
Ireland, almost lost by the secret contrivances of Spain, recovered;
the revenues of both universities improved by a law of provisions;
and, in short, all England enriched. That she was a most prudent
Governess, forty-five years a virtuous and triumphant Queen; truly
religious, and blest in all her great affairs; and that after a calm
and resigned death in the 70th year of her age, she left her mortal
part to be deposited in this church, which she established upon a new
footing, till by the word of Christ she is called to immortality.” She
died March 24, 1602.
In the south isle is a lofty and pompous tomb erected to the memory of
Mary Queen of Scots, the mother of King James I. who flying into
England from her rebellious subjects, was taken prisoner, tried and
condemned for conspiring the death of Queen Elizabeth, and on the 8th
of February 1587, beheaded on a scaffold erected in the hall of
Fotheringhay Castle, in Northamptonshire. She was afterwards pompously
interred by order of Queen Elizabeth, in the cathedral church of
Peterborough; but upon the accession of her son to the throne of
England, he ordered her remains to be removed from thence, and placed
near this monument.
Near the last monument is a tomb enclosed with iron rails, on which
lies a Lady also finely robed, the effigies of Margaret Douglas,
daughter of Margaret Queen of Scots by the Earl of Angus. Her son the
Lord Darnely, father to King James I. is represented foremost on the
tomb kneeling, with the crown over his head, and there are seven other
of her children represented round the tomb. This great Lady, though
she herself never sat on the throne, had, according to the English
inscription, King Edward IV. to her great grandfather; Henry VII. to
her grandfather; Henry VIII. to her uncle; Edward VI. to her cousin
german; James V. of Scotland to her brother; Henry I. of Scotland to
her son; James VI. to her brother. Having to her great grandmother and
grandmother two Queens, both named Elizabeth; to her mother, Margaret
Queen of Scots; to her aunt, Mary the French Queen; to her cousins
german, Mary and Elizabeth Queens of England; and to her niece and
daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of Scots. This great Lady died March 10,
1577.
In the south side is likewise the monument of Margaret Countess of
Richmond, mother to Henry VII. by her first husband Henry Tudor. She
was afterwards married to Humphry Stafford, a younger son to Humphry
Duke of Buckingham, and at last to Thomas Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby;
but by the two last had no children. The inscription mentions the
charities of this humane and generous Princess, particularly her
founding two colleges at Oxford, Christ Church and St. John’s; and a
grammar school at Winbourne. She died in July 1509, in the reign of
her grandson Henry VIII.
At the east end of this isle is the royal vault of King Charles II.,
King William III., Queen Mary his Consort, Queen Anne, and Prince
George.
Over these royal Personages are their effigies (except that of Prince
George) in wainscot presses; they are of wax work resembling life, and
dressed in their coronation robes.
Another wainscot press is placed at the corner of the great east
window, in which is the effigy of the Lady Mary Duchess of Richmond,
daughter to James Duke of Richmond and Lenox, dressed in the very
robes her Grace wore at the coronation of Queen Anne.
On leaving this isle you will be shewn in another wainscot press the
effigies of General Monk, who had a great share in the restoration of
King Charles II. to the throne of England, and was interred in a vault
appropriated to him and his family. He is represented in armour, and
his ducal cap is generally made use of by those who shew this chapel,
to receive the bounty of those who visit it; these persons having no
share of the money paid for seeing it.