skull carvings

All Saints Church, St Paul's Walden. Pentax Q-S1, 01 prime lens.

A tombstone in St Leonard's churchyard, Flamstead. It was raining when I took this photo and the light was not ideal. The memorial is to Mary, but I cannot make out the surname. I'll have to check the HMI volume. Given the size of the stone (small) and the style, it is probably late 17th/early 18th century.

Detail from a tombstone in St Leonard's churchyard, Flamstead. It was raining when I took this photo and the light was not ideal. The memorial is to Mary, but I cannot make out the surname. I'll have to check the HMI volume. Given the size of the stone (small) and the style, it is probably late 17th/early 18th century.

Detail of one of a line of five early tombstones with a skull motif in St Leonard's churchyard, Flamstead. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

One of a line of five early tombstones with a skull motif in St Leonard's churchyard, Flamstead. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Pentax K-3iii.

The inscription reads: M.S. Near this place lieth the body Of James Fleet Esq of Tewin Water Only son of Sir John Fleet Late Lord Mayor of London He married Elizabeth second daughter Of Thomas Malyn Esq of Battersea By whom he left no issue He was a Gentleman much esteemed For his great Humanity, Prudence and Vertue, In his Publick Character A good magistrate loyal to his Prince And steady to the interest of his country In his private capacity An affectionate husband, a kind master, And a true friend. Faithfull thus to his God His neighbour and himself. He ever lived like a good Man. And dyed like a good Christian. He departed this life April 29th 1733 In the Forty seventh year of his Age To whose Memory this Monument Is erected by his Widow. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax "K" 28mm f/3.5 shift lens.

One of a line of five early tombstones in the churchyard of St Leonard's, Flamstead. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Detail of one of a line of five early tombstones in the churchyard of St Leonard's, Flamstead. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Tombstone seen in St Peter's churchyard, Tewin, Hertfordshire. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Tombstone seen in St Peter's churchyard, Tewin, Hertfordshire. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Tombstone seen in St Peter's churchyard, Tewin, Hertfordshire. Here Lyeth interred the body of Willm the son of Willm & Dorethy Oakley of this Parish who departed this life the 8th day of October 1723 In the 28th year of his age Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

Tombstone seen in St Peter's churchyard, Tewin, Hertfordshire. Here lyeth interred the Body of Matthew Oakley Son of William & Dorothy Oakley of this Parish who dyed on the 7 of September 1722 Aged 23 years All you that come my grave to See As I am now so must you bee Therefore prepare for while you may In my Prime was called away. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

This is the fourth in a line of five tombstones with skulls in the churchyard of St Leonard's, Flamstead. I hope to return to this one as it was in shade when I took the photo. Pentax K-3iii, SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Ltd.

This headstone is not in situ but leaning against the north wall of the church of St Mary the Virgin, Essendon, Herts.

This headstone is not in situ but leaning against the north wall of the church of St Mary the Virgin, Essendon, Herts.

This headstone from the churchyard of St Andrews, West Dean, has crossbones but no skull! Pentax Q-S1, 01 prime lens.

I found this marvellous relief at St Mary's, Redbourn. It is the east face of a chest tomb to the Grimstead family and dates to the first half of the 18th century. The tomb is Grade 2 listed, and the design is described as "an allegory on time and death." It contains all our favourite symbols: skull and crossbones, serpent eating its tail and a winged hourglass. There were also plentiful chubby cherubs.