Coventry Memorials

GEORGE WILLIAM, 6TH EARL OF COVENTRY

Juxta hunc locus exuvias mortales deponi voluit

GEORGIUS GULIELMUS, COMES DE COVENTRY.

Ingenio acutus, solers, versatilis; moribus, comis, jucundus, elegans;

Antiquam generis nobilitatem accuratà rerum & litterarum cognitione exunie illustravi

Regis Patriaeque amantissimus,

Utrique tum in aulà tum in senatu versatus, fideliter atque ex animo consuluit

Erga pauperiores ita se benevolum exhibuit;

Ut simul incommodis eorum plenè subveniret,

Simul ipsos ad industriam & bonos mores strenue excitaret.

Si pietatis erga DEUM monumentum expetas,

Sacram hanc Ædem,

Proprius ipsius sumptibus extructam & exornatam,

Circumspice!

Obiit die Septembris 3tia  Anno Salutis Recuperatæ MDCCCIX

Aetatis vero propriae 88.

Marmor ponendum curavit filiorum pietas.

Near this place, by his wish, were placed the mortal remains of

GEORGE WILLIAM, EARL OF COVENTRY

A man by nature intelligent, skilled and versatile; in manners courteous, cheerful and elegant;

He showed truly the ancient nobility of his race with a rare understanding of life and literature

Most loving toward King and Country,

Engaged equally both at court* and in Parliament, he faithfully and sincerely gave counsel

He showed his benevolence towards the poor

By assisting them in their troubles,

While at the same time exhorting them to industry & good habits.

If you wish for a monument to his devotion to God

Look around you at this holy house

Built and adorned at his own expense

He died on the 3rd of September, in the year of salvation regained 1809

and in his 88th year

This monument was erected by his devoted children.

*[ probably the Court Baron, the manorial court, is meant. The Earl would have presided as Lord of the Manor]

A member of  The Friends, Mrs Mary Fraser, recently undertook the task of translating  the Latin inscriptions on the  Coventry memorials in Croome Church. Sheets similar to that on the left showing a photograph of the memorial, the Latin inscription and the translation have been placed in the Church for the information of visitors. The memorials translated are:

George William, 6th Earl (South Nave)

Henry Coventry (North Nave)

John Coventry ( Chancel)

Thomas, 1st Baron (Chancel)

Thomas 2nd Baron (Chancel)

Maria Coventry (Chancel)