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The following is a list of books about church monuments, which, instead of following the usual practice, has been compiled in the main in the datal order of  their publication. None of these books is about monumental brasses or churchyard memorials, although they may contain references to these subjects. There are many books about such memorials which may be found elsewhere.
           Most of these books are now out of print. However – with the exception of the antiquarian books - they should be readily available from most libraries, where it may be possible to at least have sight of the antiquarian books also. All these books may be also found for sale from time to time in the lists of antiquarian and second hand booksellers or by consulting an on-line database, such as www.bookfinder.com. The antiquarian books are, as might be expected, very expensive. It is important to note here that the books in the bookfinder list are given in order of price, which does not necessarily reflect in any way the actual condition of the book – so beware, as a cheaper book may well be a better one!
          In fact, very few books have been published about church monuments alone, although there is very often information and illustrations in books on sculpture, architecture, churches, topography and county histories, such as the Victoria County History series on England. For example, much valuable information may be found in the Pevsner series – The Buildings of England, of Scotland and of Wales, all of which are in print. Also well worth consulting are the series of county inventories from The Royal Commission of Historical Monuments of England and The Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and of Wales; most of these volumes are no longer in print.
          From an earlier age, topographical and architetural books will describe monuments as they appeared at the time of their writing and, even more importantly, describe monuments which are now lost, sometimes illustrating them. For example etchings of the now lost monuments in Old St Paul's Cathedral appear in William Dugdale's St Paul's. Often these descriptions are tantalizingly vague and, as there are frequently no illustrations to back them up, it is only possible to speculate what the monument actually looked like. The best known are: John Leland, Leland’s Itinerary (1546) and John Stow, A Survey of London. (1608). Both of these books are likely to be available as modern reprints.
        The books below range from massive multi-volume works, such as that by Gough, to brief, but not the less very comprehensive, booklets dealing with a single church or even a single monument.  It must be borne in mind that some of the information in the earlier books may well have been revised, and may still be being revised, by later research.
        It is also important to refer to Church Monuments, The Journal of the Church Monuments Society. This has been published annually by the Church Monuments Society since 1985 and contains well-researched and illustrated articles by experts in their various fields about all aspects of church monuments and related subjects, principally in Britain but in other countries too. A list of these articles appears on the Journal Page on this web site and back copies of the Journals are available from the Society.
       The Monumental Brass Society runs a bookstall ('Aspiring Church Books') which carries an extensive stock of books on church monuments - not just brasses - for sale at competitive prices. Books are available for sale by post; for current stock list visit http://www.mbs-brasses.co.uk/Bookstall.htm . For details of a recent publication by the MBS at special price to members click here.

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY BOOKS
 

Weever, John, Ancient Funerall Monuments  (London, 1631)     

Poet and antiquary John Weever (1576-1632) was born in Lancashire and wrote what is probably the first book solely about church monuments, describing those in the dioceses of Canterbury, Rochester, London and Norwich only, never completing his project. There are a few woodcut illustrations but the importance of this book is that it describes much of what has been subsequently lost, although it must be said sometimes vaguely. John Weever was buried in St James’ Church, Clerkenwell.

The contents and abstract of this book may be found by clicking here.

 
Portrait of John Weever

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EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BOOKS  

Gough, Richard, Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain. (The Author, London 1786 & 1796)

Antiquary Richard Gough (1735-1809), born in London, wrote the first comprehensive survey of church monuments dating from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. This work, in two sections, but normally bound in five massive volumes, is profusely illustrated.. Gough was not an artist himself so employed a number of artists and craftsmen to execute the many illustrations, mainly etchings, which are thus of varying accuracy and standard. He was buried in Wormley churchyard, Hertfordshire. 

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NINETEENTH CENTURY BOOKS
 

Stothard, Charles A., Monumental Effigies of Great Britain. (The Author, London 1817 – 1832)

In this work the representation of monumental effigies becomes an art form in itself.  Charles Stothard  (1786-1821) – son of the illustrator Thomas – was an antiquarian draughtsman who travelled the country (and France) drawing, among other historical artefacts, medieval effigies. The etchings, some hand coloured, from these drawings were published – with text – in this beautiful work. Unfortunately Stothard was killed by a fall while drawing the stained glass window in St Andrew’s Church, Bere Ferrers, Devon, so the work was never finished. Although many of the etchings are by Stothard himself, because of his untimely death some of his drawings were made into etchings by other artists, including Edward Blore. The work was originally published in parts, which were eventually collected in one very large volume by his Widow with the text being completed by her brother. Further information about Charles Stothard, including a portrait, may be found here.

Bloxam, Mathew Holbeach A Glimpse at the Monumental   Sculpture of Great Britain (1834)  

There was also a proposed second edition with handwritten title page: Fragmenta Sephulchralia, A Glmpse ...etc (1840-50)         
       

Hollis, Thomas & George, Monumental Effigies of Great Britain (John Bowyer Nichols & Son, London, 1839-1842)
This is effectively a continuation of Stothard’s work by the Hollis father and son. For example there is an etching of the effigy of Richard II, which Stothard never produced. Again this is a book of fine etchings, some hand coloured, although here there is no text and again the work was originally published in parts. George Hollis (1793-1842) was born in Oxford and was mainly engaged in engravings topographical works. He began the etchings from his son's drawings of this series in 1839, the first part being published in 1840, but he died at Walworth before its completion. His only son Thomas (1818-43) was a painter and was born in London. Following his father's death he continued this work, etching as well as drawing the plates. However he died of tuberculosis at Walworth in the following year, again before its completion.
Any futher information - especially portraits - about the Hollises would be most welcome!.

Boutell, Rev Charles Christian Monuments in England and Wales (George Bell, 1854)

Charles Boutell (1812-1877), from Norfolk, was an archaeologist, antiquary and clergyman, publishing many well-known books on brasses, arms and armour and heraldry among other subjects.  This small volume deals with monuments from “about the era of the Norman Conquest to the time of Edward IV”. The first section discusses non-effigial monuments and the second semi-effigial monuments; the third, fourth and fifth parts, although proposed, do not appear to have been published. There are many simple but attractive drawn illustrations by the author.

Wall, J Charles The Tombs of the Kings of England (Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd, London, 1891)

This work describes in detail the tombs of the kings – actually monarchs - of England as well as those of the early ‘English’ kingdoms, including those buried abroad, up to that of William IV, Queen Victoria still being on the throne when the book was published. There are many illustrations by the author and ‘engraved by Ford and Wall’; these however are reproductions of the engravings. This is a very comprehensive book but ‘suffers from…over-credibility when dealing with traditional sources’ (see Dodson, below); thus we can discover where kings who did not exist are buried and the finding in his coffin (which probably was that of Bishop Henry of Blois anyway) of the arrow that killed William Rufus! The flowery style makes slightly irritating if amusing reading.

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Notes on Terminology

The terms etching and engraving are often used loosely in the popular although strictly incorrect sense. Strictly speaking these terms should be used for the actual process by which the artist manufactures a metal plate to produce an intaglio print. This should not to be confused with the usual – and again rather loose - use of the word print.  An intaglio print is made from a metal plate (other materials can be used) which has had an image incised into it, either by biting with acid (etching) or directly cutting it (engraving). There are other methods too of producing these plates which need not concern us here. This process is either done by the artist or by a craftsman following the original drawing of the artist; such a print with often have del. (drawn by) and sculpt. (etched or engraved by) followed by the artist’s or craftsman’s name at the bottom .The incised line on the plate holds ink, which can then be used to print an image on paper. Such works are thus original works of art and only a limited number are produced as the metal plate eventually wears out. Plates may be made of copper, zinc or steel; Stothard and Hollis would have used copper plates, Blore Steel. This was a standard way of illustrating book before other quicker and cheaper methods were introduced. These prints may be hand coloured as in the works of Stothard or Hollis, although it is possible to produced coloured prints directly.  Reproduction of these prints can be made – and often appear in modern books – but these reproductiuons are never as fine as the original intaglio print.

TWENTIETH CENTURY BOOKS
 

With the development of photography at the end of the nineteenth century, this new process now becomes the standard method of illustrating books. However photographs can never show the detail or the clarity of a good drawing and this is borne out by writers of these later books who sometimes using prints of works by Stothard and others to supplement the photographs. On rare occasions new drawings are used but these are usually printed by lithography.
 

Crossley, Fred H English Church Monuments 1150-1550 (Batsford 1921)

This was the standard introductory work on pre-reformation monuments and is still valuable today. The introduction deals with materials, provenance and makers of tombs, medieval contracts and colour decoration. The main section deals with tombs and chantry chapels, including heraldry, weepers and metal work, as they develop between the 12^th and 16^th centuries. The final section discusses lay and ecclesiastical costume and armour. There are very many photographs and these are referenced according to type and date in a separate section. A very comprehensive book, well worth locating.  

Fryer, A. C. Wooden Monumental Effigies in England and Wales (Elliot Stock 1924, revised edition)
This book describes wooden effigies from the 13^th to 17^th centuries. There are 67 photographs, mainly taken by the author, and a helpful county list, giving detailed information about the effigies.

Esdail, K A English Monumental Sculpture since the Reformation (SPCK 1927) 

Esdail, K A English Church Monuments 1510-1840 (Batsford 1946) 
A very well illustrated book  from the same publisher as Crossley book above and.which follows the story of monuments from the end of the Medieval period to the mid nineteenth century.

Stone, L Sculpture in Britain: The Middle Ages (Pelican History of Art, 1955) 
This is a well written and comprehensive survey of all sculpture in the Middle Ages.

Panofsky, E Tomb Sculpture (Thames & Hudson, 1964;  Phaidon reprinted 1992)  
'Four lectures on its changing aspect from Ancient Egypt to Bernini'.  These lectures were given by the author to the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University in 1956. Edited by H W Janson; new foreword to the second edition by Martin Warnke. 471 illustrations.

Gunnis, B Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660-1851 (Abbey Library, 2^nd edition, 1968)
This is the standard work of reference and a magnificent example of scholastic endeaver. A well illustrated and fascinating book

Physick, John Designs for English Sculpture 1680-1860 (Victoria & Albert Museum, 1969)
Dr John Physick was Deputy Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, President of the Church Monuments Society and is now one of its Vice-Presidents. This interesting book deals with the original designs of sculptures from the very large collection of drawings in the Victoria and Albert Museum (and elsewhere), so shows the preliminary drawing and in most cases the finished work by sculptors such as Rysbrack, Chere, Roubilliac as well as others. Of particular interest are the drawings of works that were never completed such as the monument to Edward VI in Westminster Abbey. Although the works described are not all church monuments, as can be seen from the illustration, a large proportion of them are.

Collinson, H. Country Monuments, Their Families and Houses (David & Charles 1975)
Family monuments even more than portraits provide us with a visual history of the English people; they are readily accessible in parish churches and are complimentary to the treasures of country houses. A post-Reformation biography via monuments. B/W photographs.

Penny, N Church Monuments in Romantic England (Yale University Press, 1977)
Discusses  works of 1780-1840, including those of Chantry, Flaxman, Roubillac, The Bacons and the Westmacotts, within a framework of patronage and artistic conventions, devotional attitudes and the gradual revival of the Gothic style.

Leach, Rosemary BA  An Investigation into the use of Purbeck Marble in Medieval England ( The Author, 2nd Edition,1978)
This small book catalogues the use of Purbeck during the Middle Ages. There is much on tombs but other aspects of its use are listed too - such as fonts. There are no illustrations.

Hampton, W E Memorials of the Wars of the Roses (The Richard III Society, 1979)

This is extensive catalogue of monuments of those who fought in or were connected with The Wars of the Roses, arranged county by county. There are several illustrations: photographs and reproductions of etchings and brass rubbings. It even includes a photograph of the bones of George, Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward VI, who was reputed to have been drowned in a vat of Malmsey wine

Kemp, Brian English Church Monuments (Batsford, 1980)
Professor Kemp (see below)  comprehensively surveys church monuments from coffin lids of the 12th century to those of the Victorian age. There are176 specially taken and very good black and white photographs. Although several books specifically about church monuments had appeared in the past, this, rather surprisingly, was the first such book to deal with such monuments of all periods. As Professor Kemp says in his introduction: ... There is no doubt that both specialized and general interest in church monuments is on the increase ... as recently as 1978 an International Society for the Study of Church Monuments (now The Church Monuments Society) was founded in London... The present work is offered as a contribution to foster this interest. Several decades later this has proved to be the case. This book is now out of print but well worth looking up. A shorter but similar book by Professor Kemp is listed below.

Tummers, Harry Early Secular Effigies in England: The Thirteenth Century (E J Brill, Leiden, 1980)
Harry Tummers, from the Netherlands, is a founder member of the Church Monuments Society. This book deals inconsiderable depth with 13^th century effigies of knights, ladies and civilians. There is a nearly complete list of monuments with their various attributes and 185 good photographs. As might be expected of a work of this nature there are extensive notes and bibliography.

Curl, J S Death and Architecture (Sutton, 1980)
This book deals with all forms of commemorative structures of all ages from antiquity to the present time. However, this well illustrated and detailed book contains enough information about church monuments as such to justify an inclusion here.

Kemp, Brian Church Monuments (Shire Album149, 1985; reprinted 1997) In Print

A short but remarkably detailed and concise introduction to English church monuments of all periods. There are chapters on the historical development of monuments, on effigies, on symbolism, on their making and on places to visit. A well illustrated paperback. Brian Kemp is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Reading, was President of the Society 1991-96 and is now one of its Vice-Presidents. He is well known as an excellent teacher and presenter.

Whinney, M Sculpture in Britain 1530-1830 (Second Edition revised by J Physick; Pelican History of Art, 1988/ Yale University Press) In Print
This is another volume in the History of Art series; this volume was revised by Dr John Physick (see above). This is a comprehensive survey of sculpture from the Reformation to the accession of Queen Victoria, with emphasis on family tombs and portrait busts, the favoured form at that time. 

Llewellyn, Nigel  Funeral Monuments in Post-Reformation England  (Cambridge University Press, 200) In Print
Funeral monuments are a most complex and important kind of surviving post-Reformation church art. They are complex structures with figures, architectural framings, heraldic devices and text set up around 1600.  and thousands survive. Professor Llewellyn examines the place of the tomb in the historiography of English art, the issue of patronage and business of erecting a monument, tomb makers, materials and Reformation iconoclasm and its effect on tombs. Very many photographs.

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TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY BOOKS
 

 Duffy, M Royal Tombs of Medieval England (Tempus 2003) In Print

Dodson, Aidan The Royal Tombs of Great Britain (Duckworth 2004) In Print
Aidan Dodson is an archaeologist so the approach to the subject here is somewhat different. This deals with all the kings and queens of what is now Great Britain in a very comprehensive manner from the earliest times until the present day. In effect it is an update – as well as a correction - of Wall’s earlier book – so the tombs are taken up to the present day. Included here are the tombs of the Stuarts in exile as well as a section of foreign monarchs buried in Great Britain, such as such as Napoleon III. The illustrations are all black and white and include reproductions of drawings etc as well as photographs. They include not only the monuments but also the churches and, because of the approach, coffins, vaults, skeletons etc. There is a list of where all the monarchs are buried and a useful map.

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ENGLISH COUNTIES
 

Hartshorne, Albert The Recumbent Monumental Effigies in Northamptonshire (Basil Montagu Pickering, 1876)

Although the title page states ‘a series of photographs from 128 scale drawings’, these are lithographic prints of the author’s rather good and accurate drawings with ‘historical and critical descriptions.’ The monuments illustrated date from the late twelfth to the early eighteenth centuries; all of these, as the title indicates, are in the recumbent attitude.

Richardson, Edward The Monumental Effigies of the Temple Church (Longman, 1843)

Edward Richardson was the sculptor who restored the effigies in the Temple Church. His work was not without criticism. However this is a book of excellent lithographs of the effigies by the author, which gives an indication of their appearance before their damage by enemy bombing in World War II.

W H Rogers   The Ancient Sepulchral Effigies and Monumental and Memorial Sculpture of Devon (published by the author, 1877)
This book is essentially the contents of two papers the author presented before the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society in 1866 and 1874. The first section describes various attributes of the medieval monuments in South Devon and then lists and describes them parish by parish. There is then a brief reference to Exeter Cathedral. The third section deals similarly with South Devon but wanders into other areas. There are many drawings of brasses, heraldry, and architecture in these sections. The final and the longest of the numerous appendices consists of a series of drawings of effigies by the author, which, although well intentioned, are somewhat crude and oddly distorted.

F Chancellor The Ancient Sepulchral Monuments of Essex (Edmund Durrant & Co, 1890)

This very hefty volume describes monuments from 13^th to the 17^th century and contains 157 drawings by John Shewell Corder printed by ‘photolithography’

I’Anson, William M. The Medieval Military Effigies of Yorkshire (Yorkshire Archaeological Society, 1928)
This is a bound reprint of two articles from the Yorkshire Archaeological Society’s Journal. The author had intended to publish a book on the military effigies of the whole of England but a fire at his house in Saltburn, which destroyed his books, notes and drawings, put an end to this project. However, such was his determination he began again but limited the project to those effigies in Yorkshire. Sadly this project was itself cut short by his death, so ends with monuments of about 1370. He discusses the commemorated and their armour and there are many small drawings of the Yorkshire monuments plus a few as a comparison from elsewhere.

Roper, Ida Monumental Effigies of Gloucestershire and Bristol (published by the author, 1931)

Only 100 copies of this book -  in which Ida Roper discusses effigies from the 12^th to the 18^th centuries - were published' Each copy is hand numbered. There are forty photographic illustrations.

Moss  H R The Monumental Effigies of Sussex (published by the author, 1930)

This tiny book certainly contrasts with the Chancellor above! There is one photograph (the frontispiece) but the main text describes effigies and other aspects such as inscriptions in some detail from 1250 to 1650. There is also a chronological and a distribution list

Rev C L S Linnell, MA Suffolk Church Monuments: A Preliminary Survey (Suffolk Institute of Archaeology, 1955)
This is a bound offprint from the Proceedings of that Institute. Despite the title this book deals only with monuments of the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. There is a preliminary introduction, followed by a comprehensive list and then twenty-one plates of photographs of work by such as Nicholas Stone.

Ryder, Peter Medieval Cross Slab Grave Covers in West Yorkshire (West Yorkshire Archaeological service, 1991)

This handbook catalogues all the cross slab grave covers recorded by the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service. There is a useful map showing their position and a section about the various designs and emblems

Knowles, R. and Routh, P. A Ryther Legacy: The Monuments Assessed (Bedesman Books, 1981).

This is one of the short single church books. There are several interesting monuments in this church, which the authors discuss together with their background and their then recent conservation. Several photographs and reproductions of old drawings and documents add to the interest of this little book. Richard Knowles is a founder member of the Church Monuments Society and for a number of years was its very successful Journal editor.

Knowles, R. and Routh, P. The Medieval Monuments of Harewood (Wakefield Historical Publications, 1983)

This is another single church book but a church with a unique collection of fifteenth century alabaster monuments, which show a range of armour and costume of the period and difference in style of carving. The book deals discusses the monuments and their background as well as their conservation, which took place 1997-1981. Again many photographs and prints of old drawings, documents etc.

Knowles, R. and Routh, P. The Sheriff Hutton Alabaster: A Re-Assessment (Rosalba Press, 1981)

This is a single monument book rather than a single church book. However, it is about a monument of particular historical interest: the tomb and effigy said to be of Edward of Middleham, only son of King Richard III, at Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire. The authors discuss with scientific rigour how this attribution is very unlikely. Well illustrated with photographs and reproductions of drawings, documents, manuscripts etc.

Downing, M The Medieval Military Effigies Remaining in Shropshire (Monumental Books, 1999) In Print
Society  and Council member Mark Downing has produced this small but detailed volume on medieval military effigies of his home county. It includes many of his own excellent photographs.

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SCOTLAND
 

Drummond, James Sculptured Monuments in Iona and the Western Islands (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1881)
After an introduction there follows around 200 beautiful lithographs of the characteristic monuments from this area of Scotland with short introductions to them. Some of these would be later reproduced in the following book.

Steer K. A. and Bannerman, J. W. M.Late Medieval Sculpture in the West Highlands (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, 1977). 
This is one of the Royal Commission volumes mentioned above but in this case one which deals specifically with monumental sculpture. This is a very detailed inventory with many photographs and drawings of monuments from places such as Iona and Oronsay.

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WALES
 

Gresham, Colin A Medieval Stone Carving in North Wales (University of Wales, 1968)

This book surveys in detail sepulchral slabs and effigies of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The first section deals with materials, heraldry, dress, the commemorated etc. Part two gives a description of monuments by type and date. There are then various appendices on list of monuments by counties, by persons and in various ecclesiastical building. Even the ordnance survey reference is given, a great appeal to me. There follows a helpful glossary. The book is illustrated in a separate section with many rather good photographs and throughout the text with accurate, if somewhat shaky, line drawings by the author; it is refreshing to note that he feels that drawing is the most satisfactory method of illustration of this subject. This is a superb book.

Morgan, Octavius. Some Accounts of the Church Monuments in the Priory Church of Abergavenny (1812)
This is a pioneering book in being one of the first - if not the first - to be illustrated with photographs.

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GRAVEYARDS

Although the Church Monuments Society is not primarily concerned with graveyard memorials, I have been often asked to recommend books on the subject so here is a list of some of the best:

Above are three books by Betty Willsher, the doyenne of the study of Scottish historical kirkyards. Clear and accessible, her publications reflect a lifetime's experience of recording Scottish kirkyard memorials. 
Understanding Scottish Graveyards (1985 & 2006 edition)
Scottish Epitaphs: Epitaphs and Images from Scottish Graveyards (Cannongate Books, Edinburgh, 1996)
How To Read Scottish Graveyards (Council for British Archaeology, Scotland, 1985)
Flora Davidson Seventeenth Century Tombstones of Angus and The Mearns: An Inventory (Angus District Council, 1977)
A most remarkable work of independent scholarship, with an exemplary introduction, of great use as a model for anyone interested in the subject of carved tombstones. It includes a few late sixteenth century stragglers and excludes the large collection in the Dundee Howff, which is well documented elsewhere.
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 FRANCE

303 La Revue des Pays de la Loire, Recherches et Creations XVIII (Couseil Régional des Pays de la Loire, 3e Trimestre 1988)
303 is a quarterly arts magazine and, although periodicals are not normally included in this section, this is a special edition solely about monuments with effigies from the earliest, such as those at Fontevraud and l'Épau, to those of the nineteenth century, such as the tomb of Général De Lamoricière at Nantes. Of particular interest is an article about the collection of drawings of monuments (many now lost) commissioned by François-Roger de Gaignières between 1681 and 1715. There are very many illustrations.

Above are three books about the Abbey Church of Saint-Denis (Paris) which contains a wealth of monuments, including many of the French royalty.
Erlande-Brandenburg, Alain The Abbey Church of Saint-Denis (Volume II) The Royal Tombs (Éditions de la Tourelle-S.I.D.E.S., 1984) This is a concise account - with very many photographs - of the monuments in St-Denis. There is a plan of the church (essential) and reproductions of portraits of the later monarchs who are buried in the Bourbon Vault. The text is in English. (Volume I is an account of the church itself)
Santos, Serge (textes) and Sauvageot, Claude (photos) Saint-Denis, Dernière Demeure des Rois de France (Éditions Zodiaque, 1999) The text - which is fairly brief - is in French but this is book primarily of rather striking photographs of the tombs. The photographs, however, are often of an artistic nature rather then record photographs. Notable are that of the grim figure of Bertrand du Guesclin and the gruesome images of the post mortem sutures reproduced in the effigies of Louis XII and Anne of Brittany.
de Guilhermy, Baron F. L'Abbaye de Saint Denis - Tombeaux des Rois de France (Belisane, 2002) This is a reprint of a  earlier work of 1848. The text is in French but the great value of this work are the reproductions of  40 engravings of the monuments drawn, where applicable, from above.

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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST

 These are small books on related items which may be of interest.

Parker, John  Reading Latin Epitaphs - A Handbook for Beginners    ( Penzance, Cressar Publications, 1999)
Many epitaphs are written in Latin and this little book goes a long way in helping those of us with little or no knowledge of Lingua Latina to decipher them. As the author says 'Latin is not an easy language to master and this book can do little more than offer a helping hand along a road which at times can be stoney' However he does an admirable job: there's a section on simple grammar, a relevant vocabulary, a list of common phrases and abbreviations as well several example of translations of lengthy epitaphs, which is very helpful. Even if this doesn't temp you to buy a copy of Kennedy or Lewis and Short, it's a good book to carry with you!

 Pearson, Lynn F. Discovering Famous Graves (Shire Publications, 1998)

There are several books - as well as a web site - on this topic but, as one might expect from Shire this is particularly well produced. There is a glossary of terms and then a gazeteer, county by county, of the burial places of the famous (or infamous) with photographs of the monuments as well as often portraits of the deceased. Although the book deals mainly with the British Isles there is a short section of burials abroad of the British or those who were connected with Britain.

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With many thanks to Richard Knowles FSA, founder-members of the Church Monuments Society and Journal editor for several years, for providing much help and several illustrations for the construction of this page.
There will be additions and modifications to this page as further information becomes available.

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