Hilarie: Struck by an idea, or was it a headstone?

Nov 21 2009 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

York Minster is actually built on the site of the old Roman basilica and subsequent Norman cathedral. It has an interesting archeological story.

But it is the tombs that exert a morbid fascination: the final resting places of people with names such as Albinia and Pelsant.

Some tell little stories, like that of Lady Mary Hope who died in York on her way to Scarborough where she was going ‘for her health.’ She was just 22 when the grim reaper called in 1795. If only she’d made it to the East coast in time.

Then there’s the tale of Roger of Ripon, whose claim to fame was more than having an alliterative name. A 13th century clerk, he was struck on the head by a chunk of falling Minster masonry. It was, they said, a miracle he didn’t die. The incident became known as the Miracle of St William of York because it occurred during the singing of a matins for the saint.

The chunk of stone was subsequently inscribed and kept in the Minster. Upon the Reformation, however, it was unceremoniously chucked out into the streets. By another miracle it was rediscovered in 1867 and today enjoys its rightful place back in the Minster.

And, by the way, it’s a jolly big chunk of stone and it IS a miracle that Roger survived.

But, the most important thing we can learn from gravestones is that life is really very short indeed. There’s nothing quite like seeing lots of graves to make one come over all philosophical.

It’s also worth pointing out, that if you’re going to go to the trouble of having an epitaph it should be used to say something interesting.

In the future there will be nosey people like me who want to know who you REALLY were.