Memorial to a faithful servant
The memorial (right) seen at the west end of Titchmarsh Church, Northamptonshire reads:
IN
Memory of
HUGH RICHARD
A Servant to Sir Gilbert Pickering Bart.
Who among other Acts of Fidelity
distinguished Himself by one, which ought to be
transmitted to after Ages, for seeing a Villain
behind his Master ready to run him through:
this brave young Man not having time to save
SIR GILBERT any otherway, threw himself between
the Swords Point and his Master, receiving the
Wound in his own Body that was design'd for
Sir Gilbert Pickering, the Wound tho' desperate
Proved not Mortal.
That so rare an Example of Fidelity and Vallour
may not soon be forgotten this is plac'd near to his
Grave.
He was after unhappily drowned as he was
learning to Swim in a Pit in the River since
call'd by his Name.
Never was a Servant more lamented.
Unfortunately, no dates are given in this memorial. There were two Sir Gilbert Pickerings of the same family, the first lived from 1611 until 1668 and the other [a grandson of the first] lived from 1670 until 1735. After a search, no marked grave was found for Hugh Richard. It is sad that we cannot discover a little more about this brave man.
Another ... polite notice.
Any translation needed for visitors today? One is especially comforted that Alms Box offerings will be carefully used. This in a rural Northamptonshire church.
Take notice ...
This once often seen notice, giving courteous information and advice, was recently discovered in a rural Norfolk church. So rare: perhaps time for a revival?
