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In volume 42 of the Camden Society's publications (in Warwick Record Office) is quoted an extract from the diary of Henry Machyn, a merchant tailor of London, part of whose business was to specialise in funerals of the great.
'The xi day of December 1559 was bered in Warwykeshyre Sir Folk Greville Knt. And he had a hearse of wax and penselles and with arms; and he had a harold of armes and a standard and a pennon of armes and a colt armur and a helm targett and sworn mantylls of velvett and a vi dozen skochyons and many morners; and pore men had gowns and a great dolle; and after a great dinner for rich and pore; and the best howse keeper in that countre'
The Rev. Frank Wain reminds us: 'It was no small task to convey the funeral trappings around the country in winter in waggons floundering through mud up to the axles. Do not think that people or churches kept that kind of equipment lying about the place till it was wanted. Indeed, the extract reads very much like notes made with the view to sending in the bill later on'.
In the next issue we will have more about this funeral; in the meantime, enough to remind readers that this Fulke Greville is the one whose restored tomb may be seen in Alcester parish church.
Alcester & District Local History Society