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the center a curious monument to Sir
Francis Vere, a gentleman of the first re-
putation for learning and bravery, who
particularly distinguished himself at the
battle of Newport, in which he command-
ed in front under Prince Maurice, in the
service of the States, against the Spaniards.
This great warrior was 30 years in the
Dutch service, and in 20 of them com-
manded the auxiliary troops of England.
He died on the 28th of August 1608, in
the 54th year of his age. His monument
is a table supported by four knights kneel-
ing, on which lie the several parts of a
complete suit of armour, and underneath
the effigies of Sir Francis, lying, as if un-
dressed, in a loose gown, on a quilt of ala-
baster. On the base is a short Latin in-
scription in gold letters, shewing to whom
it belongs; that he was nephew to the
Earl of Oxford, and Governor of Ports-
mouth and the Brille, and that his dis-
consolate widow consecrated this monu-
ment to his memory.
Close to the wall is a monument of Sir
George Hollis, nephew to Sir Francis Vere,
and a Major General under him. On the
pedestal is represented the siege of a town
in relief, where the principal figure is a
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General on horseback holding a battoon,
and having one eye blemished, perhaps al-
luding to the siege of Newport, in which
Sir George also gained great honour, and
had a horse killed under him. On each
side of this pedestal sits a Pallas, lament-
ing the death of the great warrior, who
is represented above in the Roman habit,
standing erect upon a lofty altar, with a
cherub supporting the plinth on which he
stands. Sir George died in January 1626.
An ingenious author speaking of this mo-
nument, says, that Sir George was the
first erect figure set up in the Abbey;
" an attitude, says he, which I am far
" from discommending, for 'tis my opi-
" nion, statues should always represent life
" and action: 'tis peculiarly adapted to
" heroes, who ought never to be supposed
" at rest, and should have their charac-
" ters represented as strong as possible:
" this before us is bold and manly, though
" not chaste and elegant: 'tis finely ele-
" vated too, and the mourning Pallases,
" at the base of it, are both well fancied
" and well applied."
Near Sir Francis's tomb is that of Au-
bery de Vere, the last Earl of Oxford of
that name, and Lieutenant General of
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