| All nations have in some way or another honoured valiant men and noble races by distinguished places of sepulture. But we now only treat of the time when it became cutomairy to bury in churches, and when certain distinctive marks were devised to denote the estate and condition of those who lay in the several places of repose. Kings and Princes were represented lying on thier tombs (which were made in the shape of altars), in their armour, with their escutcheons, crowns, and all other marks of royalty about them. Knights and Gentlemen could not be so represented unless they died on the field or within their own lordships. Those who died victorious in battle were depicted with sword naked, point upwards, on the dexter side; their shield on the sinister; their helmets on their heads. Those of the vanquished side who were slain, were represented without their surcoat, their sword in its scabbard; vizor raised, hands joined, as in prayer, on their breast; their feet on a dead lion. N.B. Those who died on their lordships were represented in a similar way, only that they had on their surcoat of arms. The son of a General, or Governor of a fortress, dying, while the place was besieged, was depicted in armour, with his head resting on a helmet instead of a pillow. If a Knight or Gentleman entered any re-ligious order when old, he was represented armed, but with the habit of his order instead of a surcoat. A Knight, or Gentleman, slain in single combat, was represented in armour, his axe out of his hand, his left arm crossed over his right. The Victor was similarly represented, but with his axe in his hand, and his right arm over his left. Those who had gone to the Holy Land were depicted with the right leg crossed over the left, and their sword drawn by their side; those who had vowed to go, but who died without accomplishing their vow, were depicted with their left leg over the right, and with their sword in its scabbard. Those who died prisoners are said to have been represented without spurs, helmet, or sword, though there is little warrant for this. By degrees these rules fell into disuse, and persons placed figures in any position they pleased upon monuments to suit their own fancy. See Crest. |