Coxwold Church 4: Refusing a Coronet

The most imposing funerary monument at North Yorkshire’s Coxwold Church has a hidden meaning. At first, it is just a couple of blokes (father and son) standing around, showing off their nice clothes and excessive periwigs. Bizarrely, one sports Roman attire, the other court dress, demonstrating their rather aspirational outlooks.

The son holds a coronet in his right hand, the crown-like headdress a nobleman would don at royal coronations. He is showing it to his father, who, on account of dying before his own father, never succeeded as Earl nor had opportunity to wear it. Instead, the father is shown with his left hand waving it away, while fat cherubs above him point to another crown, in heaven.

I do not know if old Henry Belasyse obtained paradise, much less a crown therein. We cannot tell if he trusted in Christ’s finished work, or whether he thought his own goodness and piety would suffice. He fought for the King in the civil wars like many reprobates, yet his other son, not shown, married Oliver Cromwell’s daughter. I doubt the great Protector would have allowed his family to marry into some godless tribe, no matter how glittering the pedigree.

This world will offer you honours, riches, fame and recognition, if only you yield to its ways and share its values. Reject its overtures and fine offers; even if it delivers on its promises, they do not last. Seek rather the blessing of heaven, whose rewards and trophies are more desirable, better made and longer lasting.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8