History in Structure

Church of St Lawrence

A Grade II* Listed Building in Appleton, Oxfordshire

St Lawrence: John Fettiplace of Bessels Leigh, d.1580, with long Latin inscription; armoured figure backed by strapwork

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Inscription roughly translated as...

Here, good reader, lies the body of John Fetiplace, knight, laid to rest in the hope of a blessed resurrection. None was more devoted to his country than he, nor was any more dearly beloved.

He was married twice. Of his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony Hungerford, knight, he begot four sons and three daughters: Besels, Richard, Robert, Egidius, Dorothy, Margaret and Jane. His eldest son Besels married Eleanor, daughter of Richard Covert, esquire, of whom he begot six sons and five daughters: Richard, Edward, Thomas, Michael, John, William, Jane, Mary, Edith, Elizabeth and Cecily. Besel's son Richard married Eleanor, daughter of Henry Poole, knight, of whom he begot a son John now four years old. Mary and Elizabeth died in infancy. The rest of Besel's children and their uncle Richard are still living. John's other children died unmarried, as did the majority of his sons by his second wife Jane, daughter of John Covert, esquire; she bore him one only daughter, the little girl Margaret whose chaste body also lies buried here.

John Fetiplace himself departed this life on the 28th day of December 1580, leaving to his descendants the notable memorial of his untarnished reputation, blameless life and patriotism. The whole neighbourhood regrets his sudden and untimely death; his widow grieves for it; the poor bewail it; everyone laments it. His son Besels Fetiplace set up this monument to commemorate the duty done by one who was indeed a dutiful parent (to whom his son was deeply indebted) in the year of our Lord 1593.

For me Christ is gain both in life and death.

For happy times and length of days you cry. Your hope is vain, as I can testify.

I have been what you are. You will be what I am.

Uploaded by Tim on 4 August 2019

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Photo ID: 225440
Building ID: 101048421
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