In the north aisle of Exeter Cathedral there is an instance similar to
that mentioned by your correspondent, BURIENSIS, of a monument with the
figure of a human skeleton lying at full length on a winding sheet. The
following inscription is over the arch:
"Ista figura docet: nos omnes premeditari
Qualiter ipsa nocet: mors quando venit dominari."
Tradition ascribes it to Bishop Lacy's tomb, and the vergers even at the
present day inform visitors that it was erected to commemorate his
attempt to fast during Lent. It is an exquisite piece of work. An
engraving of it may be found in Britton's _Exeter Cathedral_. I have
heard that there is a similar monument in Salisbury Cathedral, and it
appears probable, from there being more than one, that it was a
favourite device to represent the instability of human grandeur.