Jane Austen's Grave

Jane Austen

In those times it was not the custom for women to attend funerals, so her sister Cassandra stayed in College Street with Mary Lloyd. Her brothers Edward, Henry and Frank were in attendance and her nephew James-Edward represented her eldest brother James, who was at home in Steventon ill, while her other brother, Charles, was too far away in Eastbourne to attend the funeral.

Jane Austen died at College Street in Winchester early in the morning of Friday, 18th July 1817 aged 41 years. It is thought she died of Addison's disease.
She was buried in Winchester Cathedral, a week later on Thursday, 24th July, just before morning prayer.

The house in College St.

Her grave is situated in the north aisle of Winchester Cathedral close to the font. The inscription reads:-
Jane Austen's Grave In Memory of
JANE AUSTEN
youngest daughter of the late
Rev GEORGE AUSTEN.
formerly Rector of Steventon in this County
she departed this Life on the 18th July, 1817
aged 41, after a long illness supported with
the patience and the hopes of a Christian.

The benevolence of her heart,
the sweetness of her temperment
the extraordinary endowments of her mind
obtained the regard of all who knew her and
the warmest love of her intimate connections

Their grief is in proportion to their affection
they know their loss to be irreparable
but in their deepest affliction they are consoled
by a firm though humble hope that her charity,
devotion, faith and purity have rendered
her soul acceptable in the sight of her
REDEEMER

Adjacent to the grave, situated on the north wall of the cathedral, is a memorial to Jane Austen. This was paid for by the proceeds of her first biography, written by her nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh.
The inscription reads:-
Memorial to Jane Austen

Above the wall memorial is a memorial window in stained glass erected in 1900 and paid for by public subscription. Showing King David with his harp, it is the work of C. E. Kempe, the famous stained glass artist.

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First Posted Feb 2000
Copyright © G Dutton 2000.
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