Randall Davidson (1848-1930) served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1903 until 1928 - the first Archbishop to have resigned the office (he was then 80 years old). His memorial is strictly a cenotaph as he was buried in the cloister garth.

 

What to see (Images 1 and 2):

 

• a reclining bronze effigy of Davidson wearing a cope and giving the blessing, upon a bed of Hoptonwood stone (a cream coloured limestone from Derbyshire with crystalline speckles). The effigy is by the Australian sculptor Cecil Thomas (see also the Coligny cartouche)

• the surrounding coats of arms represent sees where he had served as bishop

 

This figure seems certain to be the last of the modern 'medieval-style' memorials - subsequent Archbishops have generally chosen refurbishment of a chapel (Temple and Fisher) or ashes buried in the cloister with a simple memorial tablet (Ramsey and Coggan).

 

Sources:  see standard cathedral sources

DL