Memorial to Laeititia Moseley

St Peter, Ousden, Suffolk



This church contains one of the most macabre memorials I have ever come across. Sitting on the East wall of the nave at about eye level is a shrouded skeleton wearing a golden crown carved out of marble. It is part of the memorial to Laeititia Moseley who died in 1619. The skeleton is grinning is a most bizarre way.



Above the skeleton the inscription reads

Memoriae

Sacrum Laeticiae

vxoris Ricardi Moseley

Armigeri Qvae obijt Octobris 14 an 1619

Yf senceles Stones Had Power To Expresse

The Many Vertves And Religious Lyfe

Of Her Lyes Heere Entombd For woorthines

A spotles Virgin and a matchless Wyfe

Wth Eccho of their sound this place would ringe

Whilst they of her admired praises sing

Bvt since their office is whilst Corps doth sleepe

Only to gvards it safe till trvmpet raise her

The blessed Angells who have taken keepe

Of her sweete sovle Ye taske shalbe to praise her

Of her greate woorth to know, who seeke more

Mvst movnt to Heaven, where she is gone before

Three tymes five yeares a Virgins lyfe she tryed;

Three tymes ten yeares a wyfe & then she dyed.

Of Davghters seven, sonnes three she was the Mother,

To poore and rich a freind, they all did love her,

Who at her Death rejoyct, and yet were sorrye,

Sad to recovnt her losse, glad for her glorye.

The memorial viewed in its entirety



The churches viewed from the south east



When I visited this church was open.