When a civilization ends, it does not leave behind a tombstone. Instead, it leaves stackings of stones (i.e. buildings.) We lose the remembrance of individual people, the things they said, did, and wrote, but we remember what they built because those things endure for much longer. The Ancient Greeks and Romans tell us about themselves through their Classical Architecture. We remember the Medieval period in Europe from its castles and Gothic Cathedrals. We remember the early 20th century from the Art Deco buildings it left behind. The style tells us something about their priorities, what they believed, what they knew, and what their hopes were. In a sense, the buildings a culture leaves behind are a kind of epitaph.
Let’s look through the structural epitaphs of our ancestors.
The Parish of Adwick-le-Street, St. Laurence (Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England)
Architectural style
Location
Adwick le Street, Doncaster, England
Constructed
12th century
This church, nestled in a small village in England, was built originally in the 12th century (though it has been extended and altered over time.) The original Norman-style build is still visible though, particularly its south doorway.
The age and beauty of this old site is worth seeing on its own, but that’s not why the Church is famous (or at least somewhat famous.) The notoriety of this particular church stems from a particular tomb, and a symbol on that tomb that would be synonymous with a country that wouldn’t exist for another two centuries until after the tomb was built.
A little church just outside Doncaster where the Washington family grew up and were buried holds the key to the inspiration behind the famous stars and stripes flag of the United States of America.
In the North Chapel of St Laurence’s Church in Adwick-le-Street is the tomb of James Washington which is decorated with his family coat of arms made up of stars and stripes.
Reverend Ann Walton from the church said: “The stars and stripes from the Washington family crest undoubtedly are the inspiration behind the American flag we all know today.”
St Laurence’s Church in Adwick-Le-Street has a tomb of James Washington in the chapel. The tomb is covered in stars and stripes and the family coat of arms is the inspiration for the USA flag. Pictured is Rev Ann Walton with the tomb. | JPIMedia Resell
The Washington family were also known as Lord and Lady of the Manor of Adwick during the late 16th Century and lived in Ardwick Hall which stood in the Park opposite the church and was the family home for over a century.
Take a good look at that tomb. There they are. The stars and stripes. In the 1500s.
Unfortunately, there isn’t quite as much internet information on this parish church as I’d like, but I’ll show you what I can find:
