(Vol. ii., p. 513.)
MR. W. DURRANT COOPER has mentioned some instances of burials in the walls
of churches; it is not however clear whether in these the monument, or
coffin lid, is in the inside or the outside of the wall.
Stone coffin lids, with and without effigies, are very frequently found
placed under low arches hollowed in the wall in the _interior_ of the
church: tombs placed in the _exterior_ of the wall are much less common;
and the singularity of their position, leads one to look for some peculiar
reason for it. Tradition often accounts for it by such stories as those
mentioned by MR. COOPER. Such is the case with a handsome canopied tomb (I
think with an effigy) on the south side of the choir of the cathedral of
Lichfield, where we are told that the person interred died under censure of
the church. Other instances which I have noticed, are, at--
Little Casterton, Rutland.--Tomb, with an effigy, apparently of an
ecclesiastic, but much decayed, of the 13th century, in the south wall of
the nave.
Warbleton, Sussex.--Circular arch over a sort of altar tomb, no effigy
remains. Probably of the earlier half of the 13th century. In the south
wall of chancel.
Basildon, Berks.--A very elegant canopy. There was once an effigy, now
destroyed, with the tomb, and a door made under the canopy! About 1300. In
the south wall of the chancel.
Bridewater, Somerset.--Two arches, with foliations, over effigies between
them, a door leading, down to a crypt. The effigies are too much decayed to
enable a decided opinion to be formed as to sex or station. In the north
wall of north transept. Date probably between 1270 and 1300.
St. Stephen's, Vienna.--A fine tomb, with canopy and effigy, by the side of
the south door of the nave. Probably of the 14th century.
I have been disposed to think that the most {38} probable motive which may
have led to tombs and effigies, sometimes of an elaborate and costly
character, being placed in such exposed positions, was the desire of
obtaining the prayers of the passers-by for the soul of the deceased. It is
worth notice, that the usage seems in England to have been very much
limited to the 13th, or early part of the 14th century. I should, however,
be very glad if any one who may possess information bearing on the subject
would communicate it.