Edward of Woodstock, the Prince of Wales, “the Black Prince,” died in 1376. He was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, and left instructions that this inscription be carved on the sides of his tomb:

“You who pass silently by here where this body rests, listen to what I would say to you if I could speak. Such as you are, I once was; you will become such as I am. I did not think much about death while I was alive. On earth I had great riches which I held in high state. And land, mansions and great treasure, hangings, horses, silver and gold. But now I am poor and wretched as I lie here in the dust. My fine appearance is all gone, my flesh is all decayed; my mansion meagre and narrow. You would not believe that it is I if you were to see me now. You would never think this was any man, so totally changed am I. For God, pray to the king in heaven, that he may have mercy on my soul.”