Matthew Godwin Memorial
Photo by Peter Smith, Newbery Smith Photography
The Latin inscription on Matthew Godwin’s memorial records that he was seventeen years and five months old when he died on 12 January 1586. It also declares that he was a pious, gentle and clever youth and expert musician who gained a degree in music, and had been in charge of music at Canterbury and Exeter cathedrals. Although this claim seems far-fetched for a teenager, history bears it out.
Matthew was baptised in August 1659, shortly after his birth. His father, Thomas Godwin, was Dean of Canterbury Cathedral and in February 1584 appointed Matthew as ‘organist and master of the children’ alongside the elderly William Selby. At this time Matthew was still studying for his music degree at Oxford University. He graduated in July 1585.
On 13 May 1586, Matthew became organist of Exeter Cathedral. His death in the following January is recorded as 1586 because at that time the year changed on 25 March.
The abbreviation G.M. FR identifies who set up the memorial. G stands for Godwin, M may stand for maior (elder) or for Matthew, and FR for frater (brother). This records that it was provided by Matthew’s brother. That brother was Francis (born 1562) who became Subdean of Exeter Cathedral only five months after Matthew’s death.
Photo by Peter Smith, Newbery Smith Photography
Above the inscription is the Godwin coat of arms with a tiny bird added at the top. This is a martlet, the heraldic symbol used by the fourth son of a family. Matthew was the fourth son of Thomas Godwin.
The figure of Matthew kneeling before an altar is surrounded by musical instruments which are a reminder that a variety of instruments were used to accompany services. Above the altar is a small organ. Notice the main keys are black and the small ones white which was the usual arrangement in the 16th century. Behind Matthew are two lutes, a cornett and a natural trumpet. Above the figure of Matthew is a cloud containing winged heads, representing souls of the dead moving from earth to heaven.
This is probably the first wall memorial erected in Exeter Cathedral and the earliest to a church musician in Britain. It was initially in the chapel of St John the Evangelist which may suggest that Matthew was buried there, although the location of his grave is unknown and may not be in Exeter.
These details supplement information provided in the cathedral on the stand Memorial to Matthew.