To those who come far and wide
Let this be your guide
Pauper, I was born, and raised to high office
Now what I am, but mere food for worms
For centuries pilgrims have come
To pay homage at my tomb

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Time goes so fast, it does not last
My message I speak, beyond the grave remains
Naked we enter this world
And bare we depart
What is life, a vapor?
Here for a little while, then gone

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Here I rest, this is my grave
Look into your mirror
To those who walk by, behold the cross
There you will find your only hope
Wealth, riches, power nor works, profit
Only Christ’s redeeming blood, saves

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May I cause you to ponder?
What comes after we pass?
Set your mind on the eternal, not temporal
Do not lose your soul, for earthly pleasures
Build and ground your treasures, above,
And enter that Kingdom of divine love

Nathan A. Hughes

Henry Chichele was Archbishop of Canterbury between April 1414 and April 1443. He is buried in Canterbury Cathedral in a “cadaver tomb” between the upper choir and the choir ambulatory, adjacent to the north-east transept. The gateway from the transept into the choir is called “Chichele Gate”. If you visit his final resting place at the Cathedral you will see a brightly colourful tomb which depicts his naked corpse on the lower level. On the upper level Chichele is depicted in his ecclesiastical vesture. On the tomb you will read some words in Latin. When translated into English the inscription reads, “I was pauper-born, then to primate raised. Now I am cut down and served up for worms. Behold my grave.”