Brass Rubbing: Thomas Rolf

From Bontell: The habit of this learned sergeant closely resembles the academic costume of ecclesiastics worn in his times. He has on his head a coif, and from beneath his hood appear two small lappets or bands. The inscription is a remarkable example of the singular rhyming Latin in such repute in the Middle Ages. -Source Unknown. From the exhibition catalog English Brass Rubbings, at the Botetourt Gallery and Museum, Swem Library, College of William and Mary: "Gosfield--Sir Thomas Rolf, 1435. Sergeant-at-law, in robes of office with coif. The nave and the east window of St. Catherine's church were built by him and his wife in 1435. INSCRIPTION: To find the date you take one M, four hundred's and four X's; The month was that of June of which the day was seven and twenty. A sergeant learned in law, here Thomas Rolf doth rest By sickness overcome: to him may Christ give perfect peace. His wealth he spent upon the poor, in mending broken roads, In help to men in prison, in dowers to grateful maids, Among his brethern of the law he shone a brilliant flower; May he, death overcome, now live to Thee, O Christ in heaven. Do thou St. Katherine-star in heaven-assist thy pleading client. Beloved patroness, be near with healing dose for Thomas."

Cairns, Kathleen H. An Exhibition of Brass Rubbings from the Collection of Kathleen H. Cairns, December 5, 1971 - January 14, 1972. Botetourt Gallery and Museum, Swem Library, College of William and Mary. Catalog #10. Felgate, T.M. Knights on Suffolk Brasses. East Anglian Magazine Ltd. Ipswich, Sufflok 1976. Spinke, Winifred. A Memento from Old England. Bury St. Edmunds, n.d. Bontell, Rev. Charles. Monumental Brasses of England (1849), p. 46.