Image: Monument funéraire John Cecil baron de Burghley comte d'Exeter Sarcophage église St Martin de Stamford Lincolnshire 02

Description: Stamford: St Martin - tomb of the Earl of Exeter, d. 1700 John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter, and, according to Pevsner, "by Monnot, Rome 1703. Large, competent, and confident" inscription on sarcophagus has been translate in 1846 : Here lies buried, John Cecil, Baron of Burghley, Earl of Exeter, son of the great Burghley's great grandson, and in no wise unworthy of his renowned progenitor. For he beautified an excellent genius with the best manners, and the best arts. Being well instructed in polite letters, he went abroad more than once; and, from the most refined parts of Europe, brought home much knowledge of antiquities, languages, and civil affairs. Yet, when no man perhaps could either better adorn a court, or manage the public business, rather made choice of ease and retirement. He lived therefore at his own country seat, elegantly, sumptuously, splendidly ; delighted with all genteel studies, to his friends affable and pleasant, to the poor bountiful, and of the laws and church of England ever a stout champion. He had for wife, and the companion of his virtues and travels, and, in a manner, of his studies, Anne, of the right noble house of Cavendish, daughter of William, Earl of Devon ; for the beauty of her body, ingenuity of her mind, and all those accomplishments which can any ways adorn a lady, famous; of whom he begat five children: happy in his spouse, and happy in his offspring 1 But among all the things which make life more blessed, being ever mindful of mortality, when he was in Italy, whilst he thoroughly examined and as curiously collected the works of choicest art, there he caused this monument to be made, where it could be most exquisitely done, for himself, and the most dear consort of his bed and travels, and of all his cares. He died August the 29th, 1700. She died June 18th, 1709. Source : Chronology of Stamford George Burton (of Stamford.) 1846 (pages 270-271))
Title: Monument funéraire John Cecil baron de Burghley comte d'Exeter Sarcophage église St Martin de Stamford Lincolnshire 02
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