St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Memorials

The Facts

There are memorials all over the Cathedral to people who have contributed to the life of the church, town and county.

The most striking memorial is that of the Right Honourable James Reynolds, who represented Bury St Edmunds in parliament and was the chief baron of the Exchequer from 1730 to 1738. The memorial to the other side of the font is to James’ first wife, Mary, who died in 1736.

An unassuming plaque on the wall of the south aisle, with text in Latin, gives the names of three children who died in infancy or childhood and the Reverend John Blemell. John was married to Martha, daughter of Bartholomew Gosnold who sailed to the New World and founded the first English speaking settlement there called James town.

The north aisle of the Cathedral contains many monuments and memorials to boys from King Edward VI Grammar School who have died in various conflicts. This aisle was used by the school for many years almost as a school chapel.

Reynolds Memorial Close Up
Reynolds Statue Rotated
North aisle

Latin –

Often memorials are written in Latin. Have a go at translating this phrase which appears on the organ case ‘Jubilate Domino Omnius Terra’

Did you know…?

  • Mrs Reynolds tomb, though plainer than her husband’s, shows that she was from a more aristocratic family as her coat of arms is ‘grander’
  • Several Georgian tombs lay hidden from sight under the floorboards.

If you’d like a more in-depth tour, Cathedral Tours are available! Please speak to a welcomer to find out more details.