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Whales in the Vale
The most significant monument in Screveton church is the effigy of Richard Whalley, his three wives and 25 children.
Carved from alabaster in 1583 this monument was in the chancel until 1881. It is now located in the tower.
Along the upper edge of the tomb is an inscription that reads:
Heare lyeth Richard Whallaye Esquier who lived at the age of 84 yeares and e'ded this life the 23 of Noveber 1583.
[Yes, no 'm' in November.]
Richard Whalley is depicted with his feet on a whale and his head on a whale's head, the family's crest. Though these whales appear to have been carved by someone who had never seen a whale.
On the tomb each wife is shown with her children in the panels behind her.
The inscription running across the panels on the back of the monument reads:
Behold his Wives were number three:
Two of them died in right good fame:
The Third this Tomb erected she,
For him who well deserv'd the same.
Both for his life and Godly end,
Which all that knows must needs commend:
And they that knows not, yet may see,
A worthy Whalleye loe was he.
Since time brings all things to an end,
Let us our selves applye,
And learn by this our faithful friend,
That here in Tombe doth lye,
To fear the Lord, and eke beholde
The fairest is but dust and Mold:
For as we are, so once was he:
And as he ys, so must we be.
From southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/screveton/hmonumnt.php
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