The Hunt For Admiral Benbow - Part 3
Oct. 30th, 2011 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
endlessraritiesAnd here he is, adorning the north wall of St Catherine's Chapel, which lies just next to the chancel. The man himself, Vice-Admiral John Benbow, immortalised by the Admiral Benbow inn in Treasure Island:-
This is a memorial, rather than a gravemarker. Close inspection reveals that the unfortunate Vice-Admiral died (presumably in action) at Kingston in Jamaica, where he is presumably buried... But being a local boy (and I assume a descendant of Captain John Benbow, the Royalist solider executed by the Parliamentarians after the Siege of Shrewsbury), he merited an acknowledgement in the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.
It's not the only memorial of note in this church. This tomb recess, again on the north wall, is probably 15th century in date, judging by the ornate carved stone memorial which was once associated with it:-
And in the following week, I'll return to the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Shrewsbury. It was a very complex church and it required a lot of detective work to figure out, and even after an hour or so of pondering, I couldn't quite get to grips with it...
This is a memorial, rather than a gravemarker. Close inspection reveals that the unfortunate Vice-Admiral died (presumably in action) at Kingston in Jamaica, where he is presumably buried... But being a local boy (and I assume a descendant of Captain John Benbow, the Royalist solider executed by the Parliamentarians after the Siege of Shrewsbury), he merited an acknowledgement in the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.
It's not the only memorial of note in this church. This tomb recess, again on the north wall, is probably 15th century in date, judging by the ornate carved stone memorial which was once associated with it:-
The tiles in the foreground are mid-19th century, manufactured by Minton and inspired by medieval styles and designs.
As for the 15th century slab, here's a close-up, and very fetching it is too, featuring a knight and his lady in appropriate garb:-
As for the 15th century slab, here's a close-up, and very fetching it is too, featuring a knight and his lady in appropriate garb:-
And in the following week, I'll return to the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Shrewsbury. It was a very complex church and it required a lot of detective work to figure out, and even after an hour or so of pondering, I couldn't quite get to grips with it...
