Affixed to the pillars in this cross are two tablets; one to the memory of Dr. Anthony Horneck, who was born at Wettenburgh, in Zealand, but educated at Queen’s College, Oxford; was King’s Divinity Professor and Chaplain, a Prebendary of this Church, and Preacher at the Savoy. He died of the stone, January 31, 1696, aged fifty-six. The other to the memory of Dr. Samuel Barton, a Prebendary of this Church, and a person of admirable genius and learning. He died September 1715, aged sixty-eight.
In front of Dr. Barrow’s monument, lies the remains of that once celebrated poet, Sir William Davenant, who, upon the death of Ben Jonson, succeeded him as Poet Laureate to Charles I., but having lost his nose by an accident, was cruelly bantered by the wits of the succeeding reign. He was a vintner’s son at Oxford, whose wife, being a woman of admirable wit and sprightly conversation, drew the politest men of that age to their house, among whom Shakspeare was said to be a frequent visitor. His education was at Lincoln College, where he became acquainted with Endimion Porter, Henry Jermain, and Sir John Suckling. He died in 1668, aged sixty-three.
Not far from Davenant lies Sir Robert Murray, a great Mathematician, and one of the founders of the Royal Society, of which he was the first President, and while he lived the very soul of that body. He died suddenly, July 4, 1673, in the garden at Whitehall, and was buried at the King’s expense.
In front of Dryden’s monument, is an ancient stone, on which, by the marks indented, has been the image of a man in armour. This covers the body of Robert Haule, who, at the battle of Najara, in Spain, in Richard II.’s time, together with John Shakel, his comrade, took the Earl of Denia prisoner, who, under pretence of raising money for his ransom, obtained his liberty, leaving his son as a hostage in their hands. Upon their coming to England, the Duke of Lancaster demanded him for the King; but they refused to deliver him up without the ransom, and were therefore both committed to the Tower, from whence escaping, they took sanctuary in this Abbey. Sir Ralp Ferreris and Alan Buxal, the one Governor, the other Captain of the Tower, with fifty men, pursued them, and having, by fair promises, gained over Shakel, they attempted to seize Haule by force, who made a desperate defence, but being overpowered by numbers, was slain, August 11, 1378, in the choir before the prior’s stall, commending himself to God, the avenger of wrongs. A servant of the Abbey fell with him. Shakel they threw into prison, but afterwards set him at liberty, and the King and Council agreed to pay the ransom of his prisoner, 500 marks, and 100 marks a-year. Some years afterwards Shakel died, and was buried here in 1396.
Under the pavement, near Dryden’s tomb, lie the remains of Francis Beaumont, the dramatic writer, who died in London in 1628, and was buried here, March 9, without tomb or inscription.
The new stained glass windows at the south end of the Transept of the Abbey were executed by Messrs. Thomas Ward and J. H. Nixon, 1847: description as follows:—
In the centre of the Rose Window, the name “Jehovah;” in the circle surrounding the figures of angels.
In the large circle of surrounding lights are thirty-two separate subjects taken from the principal incidents, miracles, and events in the life and sufferings of our blessed Redeemer.
The height of the figures are nearly three feet. The subjects selected for this circle are as follows:
1. The nativity of Jesus Christ.—Luke ii. 7, &c.