View of gravestone. Digital image of B 4393/24

Description View of gravestone. Digital image of B 4393/24

Date 1991

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 801058

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of B 4393/24

Scope and Content Gravestone commemorating William Twaddle, Lesmahagow Parish Church, Church Square, Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire Here, a winged figure, shown with long 'bobbed' hair, soars above what appears to be several bones protruding from behind a curtain or drape. As a whole, these symbols represent a message of hope, showing the immortal soul's triumph over death. The winged figure represents William Twaddle's soul ascending to Heaven, while the bones signify death. The use of drapery and bones appears to have been popular in Lanarkshire in the 18th century, and while the bones are an obvious metaphor, the drapery could be read as perhaps being the mort cloth used for covering coffins, or it may be a graphic representation of the veil between life and death. Post-Reformation gravestones like this are an important part of the nation's heritage, documenting the lives of ordinary Scots who would otherwise leave little record of their existence. Through the decorative carvings and inscriptions it is possible to learn more about the lives of these people, what they did for a living and even the clothes they wore and what they looked like. This gravestone commemorates William Twaddle, who died in 1722 aged 62. The inscription reads: 'Here Lies/WILLIAM TWADDLE/Elder in Dyke who/departed this life/December 15th 1722/Aged 62'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/801058

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap