In the great north aisle of Winchester Cathedral, in a dark nook
immediately adjoining the wall of the choir, is the mutilated effigies
of a Crusader, recumbent on an oblong stone. The figure is armed
cap-a-pee, in a hauberk,[6] with sword and shield, the latter of which
bears, quarterly, two bulls passant, gorged with collars and bells, and
three garbs, being the armorial bearings of the noble family of De Foix,
of which was the Captal de Buck, one of the first Knights of the Garter,
at the commencement of the Order. On a slab, placed perpendicularly
against the adjoining wall of the choir, are several shields, emblazoned
with the arms of the royal families of England, France, Castile. Leon,
&c. There is no inscription remaining to point out for whom this figure
was intended; but Gall, in his "Antiquities of Winchester," gives the
following inscription as having existed on the monument:--_"Hic jacet
Willielmus comes de insula Vana, alias Wincall_;" the parish of that
name lies on the river Itchin, and might formerly have been insulated.
The verger of Winchester Cathedral, in reply to an inquiry made by the
editor of the "Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet," said, it was a
knight of the name of _Fox_, evidently meaning _De Foix_. This
figure suffered severely from the iconoclasts, at the time of Cromwell's
taking possession of Winchester. Amongst other mutilations, they have
entirely hacked away the right leg, leaving only the foot connected with
the lion couchant, against which the figure rests.
This Engraving will be received by the attentive inquirer, as an
interesting specimen of the sepulchral architecture of olden times;
and, judging from the mutilated remains, its original beauty would
have reminded us of the remark of an antiquarian writer,--that he
never saw a fine monument out of England.
[Illustration: (_Monument of a Crusader, in Winchester Cathedral_.)]
[6] A tunick, or frock of armour, with wide sleeves, reaching a
little below the elbow, terminating with a broad, gilt border,
and having a hood, not separate. Its first introduction in armour
is referred to the time of William II.
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