Elsewhere I have extolled the virtues of slate as a medium on which a person may be commemorated. Today I make the claim for brass - it is cheaper in terms of material, costs less to engrave and takes up less space. On the other hand it lasts longest when not exposed to the elements so the inside of a church is clearly the best location. The example above is in St Mary's, Ross on Wye. It was made at a time when English spelling had not been properly standardized. You might like to read it yourself before reading my copy of the text.
HERE LIETH THE BODY OF THOMAS BAKER, MERCER
THE LATE HVSBAND OF IANE HIS WIFE WHO
DECEASED THIS LIFE TO THE KINGDOM OF
HEAVEN THE 14 OF SEPTEMBER 1622
EVEN SVCH IS TIME WHICH TAKES IN TRVST
OVR YOVTH OVR IOIES & ALL WE HAVE
AND PAIES VS BVT WITH EARTH AND DVST
WITHIN THE DARKE AND SILENT GRAVE
WHEN WEE HAVE WANDRED ALL OVR WAIES
SHVTTS VP THE STORIE OF OVR DAIES
NOW FROM WHICH EARTH & GRAVE AND DVST
THE LORD WILL RAISE ME VP I TRVST
Vivat post funera vertus
The Latin inscription at the bottom translates as "Virtue outlives death".
photo © T. Boughen Camera: iPhone
