As you can see in this photo of his tomb, he is depicted holding the offending ball in his left hand, and, with his right, cupping his head, where the fatal missile struck.
The idea would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Of course, the year of poor John’s death was 1460, and the balls then were made of wood (true), and medicine isn’t what it is now… but still.
I thought it best to mention this fact on the day that the Wimbledon tournament gets under way.
The Stanley memorial is in St Peter's Church at Elford, which you should visit if you get the chance. It’s a large and amazing church with many more monuments.
Link: St Peter's Church / This post has been featured on Taphophile Tragics the cemtery-enthusiasts' website
