♂ Sir John Wyndham

1505 - 1574

 

Knight

Sir John Wyndham
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Parents
Sir Thomas Wyndham
Sir Thomas Wyndham
1468 - 1521
Eleanor Scrope
Eleanor Scrope
1470 - 1505
Spouse
Elizabeth Sydenham
Elizabeth Sydenham
???? - 1571
Children

John Wyndham Eulogy

Most of what is known of the life of Sir John Wyndham (d. c.1580) is derived from the text accompanying his monumental brass on his chest-tomb in St Decuman's Church, Watchet. The text under the figure of Sir John is as follows;

 

"Although a man be never so posseste
With all the gyftes that fortune can bestowe.
And thoughe his mynde be bewtified and bleste
With everye grace that from the Heavens do flowe,
Yet at the laste, this fickle life we owe,
Perforce must fele the stroke of fatal knyfe,
Suche is the frayltie of our present lyfe.
A perfeight patterne to approve the fame,
Lo here the corps of Syr John Wyndham knight,
Whose faultles lyfe hathe purchaste such a fame,
As deathe with all his darts shall never frighte.
The sonne itself shall soner lose his lighte,
Then he shall want his well-deserved praise,
Suche were the deedes of his forepasled dales.
This worthie Knight of knightlie parentage
In Norfolk borne the midle sonne of thre.
Who when he was but yet of fornige age,
Put forthe such buddes of proofe what he wolde be,
As being stirred with zeale to hear and see
The worlde whereby himselfe he mighte advaunce,
He paste the seas to serve the King of Fraunce.
Where entertaynde in place of good accompte,
Here to the Prince in favour lyved still,
Till care of countrey soil (which doth fui...)unte)
Did drawe him home, where bending witie at will.
To feates of armes and other warlike skill.
His liege in lieu of loyal service done
Advaunste him to the seat of knightlie rome.
Thus happele led this worthie knighte his life.
And died in faith by Chrift of future joye.
How good and virtuous Ladye to his wyfe
He had, what seed, hir epitaphe doth showe.
To us behinde thereby this fruyte dothe growe,
First in his deathe, Godes power and praise is knowne.
Then by his life we learn to mende our owne."

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