MONUMENT
TO THE LATE REV. J. B. BLAKEWAY;
[Picture: Monument to Rev. J. B. Blakeway, and North Transept]
which for elegance of design, beauty of execution, and general effect,
has perhaps rarely been surpassed in modern times.
This beautiful Memorial was designed by Mr. John Carline, of this town,
and is upwards of 12 feet in length and 16 feet in height, and is divided
into three compartments by clustered buttresses, which sustain richly
crocketed pinnacles. The centre compartment comprises a large pointed
arch, cusped, canopied, and crocketed, the back of which is deeply
recessed, and contains the following inscription in ornamental Roman
capitals:
To the Memory of the Reverend
JOHN BRICKDALE BLAKEWAY, M.A. F.A.S.
Thirty-one years Ordinary and Official
And Thirty-two years Minister of this Parish,
This Monument is erected
By the Voluntary Subscription of his Parishioners,
As a tribute of respect for his talents,
Esteem for his virtues,
And gratitude for his long and faithful services
As their Friend and Pastor.
He died the tenth day of March, MDCCCXXVI.
Aged sixty years.
On each side of the above compartment is an elegant niche with a
cinquefoil head, octagonal back, and groined ceiling. These niches are
surmounted by acute-angled crocketed canopies formed of deep mouldings;
and resting on the head of each niche within the canopy is a cinquefoil
within a circle. In a similar situation in the centre compartment is a
shield containing the following arms:—Argent, on a bend engrailed sable,
three bezants; impaling argent, a fess vaire between three unicorns
passant, gules.
The above divisions rest on an altar tomb, the front of which is divided
into twelve small niches with trefoil heads. These niches are separated
by small buttresses, with crocketed canopies and pinnacles.
Mr. Blakeway was the son of Joshua Blakeway, Esq. of this town, and a
gentleman whose pleasing adaptation of manners and amiable walk through
life gained him the universal respect of his fellow townsmen. Neither
the church nor the state had a more faithful defender of its rights or
supporter of its dignity, nor the true interests of his native town a
more watchful guardian.
As a scholar and a gentleman, united with the character of a true
christian, we shall perhaps “ne’er look upon his like again.” As a
preacher he was admired for his forcible illustration of holy writ, and
the valuable admonitions clothed in the language of affection which his
discourses generally contained, whilst his devoutness in the performance
of the sacred duties of the sanctuary must have impressed their
importance on all who heard them. In his personal appearance he was tall
and robust;—his face bore the line of thought, and his ample forehead
bespoke the mind that dwelt within. As an author he had written much and
published little, and was known only to the literary world previous to
1821 by a few sermons, controversial tracts, and critical notes in
Malone’s edition of Boswell’s Life of Johnson. His name, however, will
be immortalized in the valuable History of Shrewsbury which he commenced
in 1820, with the Venerable Archdeacon Owen, and just lived to see the
general history and ecclesiastical portions published in two quarto
volumes, which elaborate undertaking will obtain for him and his revered
friend and colleague the respect and gratitude of every true Salopian in
subsequent generations.
Mr. Blakeway likewise shewed much attention and devotedness to the
antiquities of his native county, and the valuable mass of manuscripts he
left behind in illustration of its genealogical and topographical history
will remain also as a monument of his industry. {52}
His last end was peace,—for he departed almost without a sigh, and nearly
without losing that benignant smile which was so peculiar to him. His
remains were interred on the right of the west entrance to the
church-yard.
Three beautiful specimens of monumental sculpture, designed by the same
architect, occupy the north wall, and harmonize with the splendid
memorial just described, a detail of which would occupy too much space.
The lancet window in the west wall contains a fine ancient figure in
stained glass of St. John the Evangelist, arrayed in a robe which
displays a most splendid specimen of the ancient ruby glass of the old
masters; the hem of the garment is brilliantly studded with pearls.
THE ANCIENT FONT stands in the centre of the area, and is very handsome.
The basin is octangular, each side having an ornamented quatrefoil, in
the centre of which is a large double rose. The angles have been adorned
with busts of angels bearing shields, and the pedestal is pierced into
gothic arches, divided by small shelving buttresses.
In the north-eastern angle is an octangular turret, in which a small
doorway opens to a staircase leading to a chamber which was no doubt once
a chantry. It is lighted by a curious triangular window, with a trefoil
on the intrado of each arch, the mouldings of which are deeply recessed.
Below this is another chantry chapel, now used as a VESTRY, having at the
east end an early Norman light, and on the north a mullioned window of
the fifteenth century. Under a low pointed arch beneath this window is a
monumental tomb composed of alabaster, but sunk into the floor for
economy of space: it bears the figures of a warrior and his lady in the
act of devotion, supposed to represent Nicholas Stafford and his wife
Katherine. The former was bailiff of the town in 1458, and died in 1471.