north view of Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield
Holy Trinity Church’s churchyard in Cuckfield overshadows all the previous ones. Do I always say that? Maybe, but this time I am not just saying it under the influence of the novelty.
There are two good reasons that make this graveyard particularly beautiful to my eyes: a stunning view over the Dawns and the presence of some graves from the 18c, with the inscriptions that for their content and carving style, resemble hand-written rhymes carefully composed as if they were the last words whispered by the dead.
One is about a 19 year old girl who bids adieu to Earth, while Heaven’s doors open in front of her.
” The Angels call they call me from above /
And bid me hasten to the realms of love /
My soul with transport X the happy doom /
I come ye gentle messengers I come /
Earth flies with all the charms it has in store /
Its snares and gay X are no more /
while Heaven appears and the propitious skies /
Unveil their inmost glories to my eyes /
To mortals and their hopes I bid adieu /
And ask no more X le vieu /
For oh, the light Xwith rays divine /
Breaks in and God’s ethernal day is mine “
Mc George, Mary (1791-1805) [headstone][inscription]
Another could be interpreted as a polite way to say that the man was not as perfect as the dead usually become once they passed away.
“Farewell vain world I know enough of thee /
And now am eardeafs what you say of me /
Thy smiles I court not nor thy frowusl fear /
My days are gone my head lies quiet here /
What fault you find in me take care to shun /
and look at home enough there’s to be done “
The oldest one I found however, struck me as it was directly addressed to me, the reader that is.
” Reader by whatsoever motive led /
To view these gloomy mansions of the dead /
Remember life’s a transient breath /
Therefore prepare gainst sudden death /
Begin therefore prepare today /
Least you like me are snatched away “
In contrast with these big headstones, completely covered in writing, the majority of graves have big headstones often with peculiar decorations (i.e. the Masonic compass (1), the bell (2), the book (3) and the sun wheel) and a few words, which hardly occupy space, or small markers. Although less descriptive, you still find very poignant inscriptions, such as:
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills” (Knight, Sarah Christiana, 1876-1954)
Besides the little chapel, on the eastern side of the main church, I saw a grand gravesite, surrounded by a iron fence. I thought it to be of some famous/ rich person. So I looked it up and I found the owner of the grave, Mr. Ernest Payne (1884-1961), the team pursuit gold medal winner in the 1908 Olympics (more details on Wikipedia).
A few more landscape pictures and it’s time to head back home.
Notes
When there is an X in the transcription it means that some words in that location are illegible.
(1) the masonic compass: symbol of Freemasons/ uprightnes / judgement. the T-square represents movement toward perfection and a balance between the spiritual and physical which resembles Egyptian and oriental mysticism. The compass (used to form circles) represent spirit. The ruler (part of a square) represent the physical.
(2) the bell: symbol of mourning / the joyful sending forth of the Good News and the Word.
(3) the book: The Divine word / one’s accomplishments
References
Christian Symbolism
Tomb With A View’s Guide to Gravestone Symbols: http://members.aol.com/TombView/symbol2.html
Christian Crest Symbols, Origins and Meanings: http://www.goldclipart.com/products/crestsymbols.htm
Symbols and their Meaning: http://www.crossroad.to/Books/symbols1.html
Ernest Payne
Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Payne
