Here's a stumper

[Shea]

When I was in Westminster Abby, I noticed a lot of the tombs had icons surrounding the statue of the dead person. This was for the illiterate people so that they would know what the person was like in life. Most had lions at their feet. I asume this was to represent the person's bravery, maybe they fought for the king at some point. Other's had dogs, probably to show loyalty.

One guy though, had a lion at his feet and the stone was deliberately carved so that the guys foot was smashing the lion's eye. What's that supposed to represent?! If he did something against the crown, why would they honor him by carving his tomb and burying him in the Abby?

No one knew the answer. I asked the guides in the Abby, my professors at Cambridge, even some of the other professors who were giving lectures there. No one knew!

Anyone here know?

[Stanislaw]

maybe he crushed/vanquished a noble foe?

[Shea]

Maybe, but isn't the lion the symbol of England? (Which, by the way, is a parallel in Narnia that I never made until actually going there (England, that is):)

[Nightshade]

but does it allways symbolise england or rather the monarchy and then again (im uselss at british history but) could it possibly be a tomb of one of the what were they called at the end of the age of reason and the begining of the romanic era supported the Colonies US in the reveloution and tried to over throw the king?

[Shea]

umm, I'm not sure what kind of rebel your trying to describe, but even so, the style of burial still doesn't fit.

[Nightshade]

ahah well it was only a guess http://www.websmileys.com/sm/sad/533.gif

but this thread reminds me of how annoyed I was when I went on holiday to that castle/owl reserve and saw a beautiful grave stone in the family church with this beautiful inscription but half of ity was gone so I asjked if they had a record of what t said and found out that nobody keeps records of headstone inscriptions!

hopefully m going back up ther but this time im going to have tracing paper and pencils :brow:

[Shea]

Isn't that frustrating! What made it worse for the Abby tomb, was that all the inscription that was there was in Latin. Load of good that does me! But I guess that's better than it being half gone. But I still couldn't tell you who was buried there.

[Nightshade]

Well hopefully in june Im getting a 4 week job down in london maybe Ill get a chance to have a look-see and Im very good at nagging officials if its possible to find out I will!

[Shea]

That would be great! When I went, it was loaded with tourists. It was very difficult moving around. Yeah, I was also a tourist, but I had a purpose!

[Nightshade]

That would be great! When I went, it was loaded with tourists. It was very difficult moving around. Yeah, I was also a tourist, but I had a purpose!
yes well ifI gte the job I want Ill be helpinga bunch opf tourists but Id go on my day off
:D

[Stanislaw]

I had a thought, isn't the lion also represent God? so maybe he was a great crusader of some sort? Or died in the line of the king or God's work? maybe a martyr, or possibly he lost an eye in life or great combat?

Have you tried any of the online latin translators? for the most part I was able to translate many basic words, and piece together the meaning of a dedication in a book.

[Shea]

I had a thought, isn't the lion also represent God? so maybe he was a great crusader of some sort? Or died in the line of the king or God's work? maybe a martyr, or possibly he lost an eye in life or great combat?

That last one's plausable. And I do think that the lion also represented God. They believed that the monarchy was ordained by God. (in other words, to oppose the king, would be to oppose God.) I think that also why Aslan appointed the kings and queens of Narnia, but was also considered a king himself.


Have you tried any of the online latin translators? for the most part I was able to translate many basic words, and piece together the meaning of a dedication in a book.

This is where Nightshade or anyone who could get to the Abby would be great help. I wasn't allowed to take any photos, and it was too crowded to try and copy it all down (not to mention I wouldnt've had enough time). But I did manage to write down that the tomb was in a sort of alcove across from the tomb of Phillippa of Hainault.

[Nightshade]

When I was in Westminster Abby, I noticed a lot of the tombs had icons surrounding the statue of the dead person. This was for the illiterate people so that they would know what the person was like in life. Most had lions at their feet. I asume this was to represent the person's bravery, maybe they fought for the king at some point. Other's had dogs, probably to show loyalty.

One guy though, had a lion at his feet and the stone was deliberately carved so that the guys foot was smashing the lion's eye. What's that supposed to represent?! If he did something against the crown, why would they honor him by carving his tomb and burying him in the Abby?

No one knew the answer. I asked the guides in the Abby, my professors at Cambridge, even some of the other professors who were giving lectures there. No one knew!

Anyone here know?


Decided to wake this thread up because Im off to london on friday !! (first time so Im excited :nod: ) anyway if I can get my 4 sisters my mum and dad to all agree Ill be visiting the abbey so Ill see iff I can see this icon o better yet get a photo.. that reminds me I need to buy a film!!! :eek:

:D

[Shea]

Decided to wake this thread up because Im off to london on friday !! (first time so Im excited :nod: ) anyway if I can get my 4 sisters my mum and dad to all agree Ill be visiting the abbey so Ill see iff I can see this icon o better yet get a photo.. that reminds me I need to buy a film!!! :eek:

:D

Oooo! Thanks Night! I've still been wondering about this one. Maybe my colleagues (I have colleagues now *giggle*) at the school might have an idea.

You probably won't get to take a photo because of their rules, but if you get the chance to write down a bit of that Latin... :brow:

[subterranean]

Abby is the last home of some of the wellknown poets/authors/scientists, I think. Did you check them out, Shea?

[Nightshade]

Oh yes no photography or filming at any time... I wonder why?

That has got to be only the second place I have ever come across that is like that- The other being the egyptian museum.

[Pensive]

Oh yes no photography or filming at any time... I wonder why?
We also have photography banned on some places like I visited a Barrage a few months ago and there I took many photos. After taking about ten photos, I noticed a big sign board where it was written:

"Photography is banned"

I became horrified and thought that now security guards would destroy my camera reel but nothing happened. Even when a security guard went past me, he asked/did nothing. Then I noticed that other people were having cameras too. I wonder if you guys too have guards like that...

[Nightshade]

err well not in egypt in Egypt when they say No camera's they mean no cameras.