Headstones of famous, or sometimes infamous, people can be found in cemeteries around the world, and lots of them contain inscriptions written either by or about the deceased. These epitaphs, far from being simply morbid, are often very interesting.
Take, for example, the memorial stone for William Shakespeare, which reads: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here, Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones”.
The reason for this somewhat strange inscription is that he lived in fear of his body being dug up after he had been buried. Fortunately, Shakespeare’s grave, which is in the English town of Stratford has remained, as his wishes, untouched.
John Keats’s headstone, which is at Protestant Cemetery in Rome, is engraved with the design of a lyre with broken strings, which was contributed by Keats’s friends Charles Brown and Joseph Severn, and contains no mention of his name. He wanted it to read only: “Here lies one whose name was writ in water”.
Severn and Brown later added the following: “This grave contains all that was mortal of a young English poet who on his death bed in the bitterness of his heart at the malicious power of his enemies desired these words to be engraven on his tomb stone”.
The site of Robin Hood’s grave is at a priory in Kirklees, which is in England, has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The problem is it is the wrong place!
The original grave slab disappeared some time after 1665. A reproduction was made, but this was chipped to pieces by 18th-century canal workers who were convinced that a little bit of Robin Hood’s headstone would cure toothache.
With a little bit of research, you will probably find that there are a few headstones in cemeteries near you that belong to famous people from past times. Whilst it may not make a great hobby per se, spending a day visiting some of these can be a cheap and interesting day out.
Alternatively, you can just use Google images, where you will find lots of pictures of headstones belonging to famous people. Learning what your deceased heroes opted to leave as their farewell message can really add something to way that you think about them.
—
To celebrate the launch of their new website, Granite Memorials are running a competition to find the most interesting and witty inscription on a famous personality’s headstone. Send your photos, explaining where and when you took them and why you feel it should rank in the Headstones Hall of Fame, for more info please visit http://www.granite-memorials.co.uk
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
- Related posts on death
- » "Death Takes A Holiday," Osteo-Architecture Travel Blog …
- Obama's death squads are coming for YOU « The Poor Man Institute
- Related posts on funerals
- 'Avoid chieftaincy disputes' | The Ghanaian Journal
- Health-Fitness-Space.com » Rosemary Leaf 30% Powder 1/4 lb bottle: HE
- Silk Bridal Bouquets & Your Wedding Florist
- Related posts on graves
- Graves Robber – 3D Zombie shooter « Mac/Win Usergroup Solingen
- Surviving Christmas at Cadillac Records
Harley Davidson's long history with the police.
Loud Pipes Save Lives!
Up-coming and ongoing events in and around Monterey and Santa Cruz
