The epitaph to Edwin Fitch in Staplehurst churchyard.īut, as with most symbols, there are other meanings and I am indebted to theartofmourning blog for reminding me of these. There is also another inscription above it that states that the stone was erected as a mark of respect by the Staplehurst Cricket Club. The epitaph goes on to state that Edwin left behind a widow and two children Marianne and Walter William. The headstone is dedicated to Edwin Fitch who died at the fairly young age of 43 on 22 January 1869. The bow and arrows are a symbol that has been known for centuries and since the earliest times has been associated with hunting and survival. I then discovered this headstone with a combination of two symbols on it.Īt first glance you might be forgiven for thinking that this is the grave of a warrior or someone involved in warfare as the combination is formed from a bow, a quiver of arrows and a circlet of oak leaves. After exploring the newer part of the churchyard and seeing ‘nature’s lawnmowers’ aka sheep in the field behind I returned to the older section. This was ‘The Choice’ which I found in the older part of the churchyard. I have already discussed one of the symbols that I found in there which featured in a an earlier Symbol of the Month. All Saints churchyard in Staplehurst is one of those as it looks down over the village from its hilltop perch. Note the acorn.Ī country churchyard on a warm, sunny May day can be a peaceful and interesting place to explore. A closer view of the two symbols – the bow and quiver of arrows and the oak leaves.
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