The Monumental Inscriptions in the Parish Church of S. Michael, Coventry/Preface
Preface.
During the past thirty years, or more, the spirit of restoration has gradually increased, and many of our ancient and noblest (not necessarily the largest) Churches have been almost re-built; but, unfortunately, it cannot be said that all the so-called restorations have been such in the strict sense of the word, for under the direction of inconsiderate architects, churchwardens, or committees, and ignorant builders, many fine and interesting architectural features have been ruthlessly destroyed or altered; and, as with the structure, so with the memorials of faithful and generous churchmen and women who have been buried within the sanctuary of their Parish Church; many of such sculptured monuments, lettered brasses, and inscribed stones, as the fanatic Puritans at the so-called Reformation chose to leave us, have been removed to make way for some new thing or fancy pavement. In the process of restoration of S. Michael's Church, in 1850, the stones which covered the floor of the Chancel and Lady Chapel were mostly buried by being covered with soil some inches thick, and others removed or used for baser purposes, and so we lose the record of many a worthy citizen whose generous gifts are still enjoyed by the needy of the city or parish.
Memorial stones, sanctified by their use and the place they are in, are like domestic records, hallowed by being written on the blank leaves of the Family Bible, which no one willingly destroys, but are read by each succeeding generation with reverence and interest. Grave stones, like the entries in the Family Bible, are of legal importance, being admitted in courts of law as collateral evidence; the alleged destruction of a grave stone was the cause of much litigation in a Warwickshire peerage claim. To the historian, genealogist, and herald, they are of the greatest importance in their studies, and supply undoubted evidence of that near and dear relationship which we cherish for those that have gone before, and it is our duty to preserve them from defacement. The intention of the following pages is to supply a perfect record of such memorials as are now in S. Michael's Church, therefore I have copied the inscriptions literally, and have indicated their positions by a reference plan of the Church. The various coats of arms are drawn correctly, and afford much information as to the alliances of the different families.
Lastly, whenever we enter this grand old Church let us with reverence remember those whose bodies lie beneath our feet, waiting in the quietness of the cold tomb that great day of His coming again, and that this noble Church and spire is the monument to the piety and benevolence of Adam and William Botoner and their sisters Ann and Mary.
I have to thank a friend for the translation of the difficult and florid Latin inscriptions, and also acknowledge help from a little book published by Mr. Wm. Reader, fifty years since, by which I find that, in his time, there were eighty or more stones than at the present time; some of these, however, may be covered by the seats and organ.
Coventry,
August, 1884.
Pl. I.
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