Suffolk, Debenham - “Haec Cuique Christiano Insignia”
"Heraldry" on monument to John Simson d1697
www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13822753573/ erected by Rev John Sheppard of Wetheringsett to his dearly beloved friend "amici sui peramantissimi”
John Simson an apothecary had no claim to bear arms unlike John Sheppard. The carving on the black basalt lid of the tomb-chest includes a helmet above a shield that shows a cross, a crown of thorns and two reeds. Below them is written, “Haec Cuique Christiano Insignia” (the badges for any Christian). Simson’s arms are the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6, 16-17). An accompanying poem composed, presumably, by Sheppard himself, explains that the emblems evident on the shield lay no claim to a noble genealogy for Simson, instead, they symbolise Christ’s Passion: www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13849294544/
"We boast not here (kind reader) a descent from Brittish, Saxon or the Norman race;
Nor have we sought an Herauld to invent Some Hierogliphick draughts this stone to grace:
The figure of Christ's Cross we choose to wear the Crown which did his sacred temples tear
Badges that his disciples all may bear. No mantlings of rich metals, furs or dye
Th' Escocheon owns, (but plaine) to please the eye;
Such let this unclaim'd bearings mantle be, As best may shew our vests of Charitie.
No force, or wreath, the Helmet to adorn We claime, we give the Chaplet made of thorn;
The Sceptre reed presented him in scorn.
Thus here those instruments of shame and paine Which our Dear Lord for man did not disdaine
Of honourable arms we in the room Display, true ensigns for a Christians tomb.
Such Heraldry as this let none dispise Free from the Censure of the good and wise"
John Sheppard however added his arms to the monument www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13849295634/
John Sheppard seams to have also laid a slab in the chancel to another "amicus sunis"
Suffolk, Debenham - “Haec Cuique Christiano Insignia”
"Heraldry" on monument to John Simson d1697
www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13822753573/ erected by Rev John Sheppard of Wetheringsett to his dearly beloved friend "amici sui peramantissimi”
John Simson an apothecary had no claim to bear arms unlike John Sheppard. The carving on the black basalt lid of the tomb-chest includes a helmet above a shield that shows a cross, a crown of thorns and two reeds. Below them is written, “Haec Cuique Christiano Insignia” (the badges for any Christian). Simson’s arms are the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6, 16-17). An accompanying poem composed, presumably, by Sheppard himself, explains that the emblems evident on the shield lay no claim to a noble genealogy for Simson, instead, they symbolise Christ’s Passion: www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13849294544/
"We boast not here (kind reader) a descent from Brittish, Saxon or the Norman race;
Nor have we sought an Herauld to invent Some Hierogliphick draughts this stone to grace:
The figure of Christ's Cross we choose to wear the Crown which did his sacred temples tear
Badges that his disciples all may bear. No mantlings of rich metals, furs or dye
Th' Escocheon owns, (but plaine) to please the eye;
Such let this unclaim'd bearings mantle be, As best may shew our vests of Charitie.
No force, or wreath, the Helmet to adorn We claime, we give the Chaplet made of thorn;
The Sceptre reed presented him in scorn.
Thus here those instruments of shame and paine Which our Dear Lord for man did not disdaine
Of honourable arms we in the room Display, true ensigns for a Christians tomb.
Such Heraldry as this let none dispise Free from the Censure of the good and wise"
John Sheppard however added his arms to the monument www.flickr.com/photos/52219527@N00/13849295634/
John Sheppard seams to have also laid a slab in the chancel to another "amicus sunis"