| The Thomas Worsley Brass 1501 |
| The Chicheley Chapel has a wall-mounted brass figure of Thomas Worsley (tonsured priest, bareheaded, in surplice and a cope featuring a geometrical floral pattern) with part of a prayer scroll and seated figure of Virgin and Child enthroned above, with six lines of Latin hexameters below. |
| The Latin verse engraved in 'old English' lettering is hard to transcribe but it is thought to read: |
"Marmore Sub Gelido Thomas Worsley tumulatur
Jure sub utrogy bacularius eft Graduatus
Atque beverlaci quodam Residens fuit Ille
Hic Cantarie Matris Marie benefactor
Egreditur Mundum februs ter in octo diebus
Cristi Millens quingenteno quoque primo" |
| This translates (very roughly) along the lines of: |
"Under this cold marble lies Thomas Worsley entombed,
A bachelor Graduate under law,
And a Residentiary of Beverley [Minster],
A benefactor of the Mother of Mary Chantry [St Mary's altar at Beverley],
A high fever three times in eight days,
To
Christ's meaning fifteen hundred and one" |
| I would be most pleased to hear from any Latin scholars who could offer a more authoritive transcription and translation of the verse. [Contact the Website] |
The Brass Rubbing
The above rubbing of the Thomas Worsley brass at Wimpole was made in 1891 by Oswin J. Charlton M.A., LL.M., F.S.A. (1871-1941), Solicitor and Antiquary of Newcastle upon Tyne, during his student days in Cambridge. The original is held by the University of Newcastle in the 'Charlton Collection of Brass Rubbings'. |
| See also the Wimpole Rectors (Thomas Worsley). |
