MORE DEATHS HEAD STONES
This was the first grave of this kind that I saw, on one of my very early trips. This gravestone dates from the very late Seventeetn Century and can be found at Wadenhoe, near to Oundle Northants.
This grave has sunk down so that most of the text is now underground. What is left on show though is a row of three skulls, pretty badly weathered, all of which stand proud of the grave itself. At the time of typing this I have not seen any subsequent grave resembling this one.
The picture above left is from St Faith's church at Wilsthorpe near to Bourne in South Lincolnshire. Stone is very badly weathered so no idea of date but the message that man is mortal is certainly hammered home with a sledge hammer here with the biggest skull that I have seen thus far. The image on the right is more subtle, and to me carries the message much better. A skull, with what looks like bones behind, with that being set to the side of a grieving widow. Beautiful work which can be found in the church grounds at Warmington, near to Oundle, Northants.
A rare day out in Hertfordshire, and a visit to the church of St Leonards at Flamstead. Beautiful church and four Deaths Head stones, all standing next to each other, in the beautifully maintained grounds. All very weathered and, I believe, all dating from the late 17th Century.
The Peterborough area is not known for Death Head Stones. Just a small handful scattered around the city. However, one superb example is to be found at the back of the church of St Augustine at Woodston. Two images included here. The inscription is very worn but the skull and hourglass are in pretty good condition given the age.
The grave photographed left, dated 1706, comes from the small village of Buckworth near to Huntingdon. A superb, and unusual, Deaths Head Stone. The condition is wonderful, with it being sheltered from the elements under an ancient looking tree.
The skull is wearing a Laurel Wreath. The Laurel is an evergreen that was seen to have purifying powers that could result in immortality. Today, the Laurel wreath is still sometimes used as a mark of distinction for somone who has excelled in their pursuits.
The crossed bones behind the skull are nothing unusual but the crossed torches underneath the skull are curious. Turned down these indicate death, turned upwards they represent life and immortality. You normally find them pointing upwards or downwards. As they are here we have one pointing upwards and one downwards. Two conflicting symbols!
