_Oaken Tombs._--In Dr. Whitaker's noble history of _Loidis and Elmete_, p.
322., is the following passage:
"Next in point of time is a very singular memorial, which has evidently
been removed from its original position, between the chapel and the
high altar, to a situation at the south side and west end of the
chapel.... The tomb is a messy frame-work of oak, with quarter-foils
and arms on three sides, and on the table above three statues of the
same material, namely, of a knight bare-headed, with rather youthful
countenance and sharp features, and his two wives. On the filleting is
this rude inscription in Old English:
'Bonys emong Stonys, lyes here ful styl,
Quilst the sawle wanders wher God wyl.
Anno D^{ni} MCCCCCXXIX.'
This commemorates Sir John Savile, who married, &c.
"Over all has been a canopy, or rather tester, for the whole must have
originally resembled an antique and massy bedstead, exhibiting the very
incongruous appearance of a husband in bed with two wives at once."
The Doctor adds:
"Oaken tombs are very rare; that of Aymer de Valence in Westminster
Abbey has been and still is in part coated over with copper, gilt, and
enamelled, and I have seen another in the church of Tickencote in
Rutlandshire. I do not recollect a third specimen."
Query, How many have been discovered since the great historian's day?