Wanton, Nicholas

In Latin: On band flanking hourglass: The glory of human life is now only of as much value as dust. Main panel: here lies Nicholas Wanton, Esq., and of Joan his wife, only daughter and heiress of John Laxton, the brother and heir of William Laxton, Knight, who through all his life was eminent for the immaculate probity of his manners, for the sanctity of his religion, for his bodily chastity, and for his peaceableness and tranquillity. He was just, holy and pure towards all men. Such was his quietitude, and such his application to the study of virtue, that he passed his life in contemplation, superior to the temptations of the world and  the cares of wedlock, that by this means, having spent his days in comfort, he might finish them in peace, and finally obtain everlasting consolation. He died the 2nd of March, A.D. 1617. Whoever sees me and my brother Lying here by one another Let him think that nough can save Him or his friends from the grave. Bottom left panel: Near this tomb is buried William Wanton, second son of the aforesaid Thomas Wanton, and brother to the said Nicholas, who died the 23rd December, 1577. Bottom right panel: John Layer, Esq. heir and nephew of Nicholas Wanton, erected this monument to testify his love for, and preserve the memory of, his deceased uncle. [Translation courtesy of York Minster Records, adapted.]