This rather grim effigy is one of the oldest monuments in Lichfield Cathedral, dating back to the end of the 15th century. The tomb-figure is that of Thomas Heywode, a dean of the cathedral, who seems to have been also responsible for maintaining its library.
Quite what the original figure looked like, I guess we may never know. The monument, despite its great age, is not much talked about in the guides; and the actual piece itself is decayed, and almost tucked away, behind the North Door. However, I can quite believe that the good Dean had no problem being represented in a skeletal way - they were not so squeamish about the processes of death in those days.
It certainly does look ancient.
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