page_title: George Cary (1611-1680)
hierarchical_section_title: George Cary (1611-1680)
caption_attribution_description: English: Mural monument to Dr. George Cary (1608-1680), Dean of Exeter. Clovelly Church, Devon, north wall of choir. Erected by his eldest son Sir George Cary (1654-1685), the armorials of the latter of whose two wives appear on the top of the monument. (Prince, John, (1643–1723) The Worthies of Devon, 1810 edition, London, p.190 incorrectly states it was erected by his second son William Cary (c.1661-1710)). Inscribed as follows in Latin (transcribed from monument 2015; transcript, with date of death mis-transcribed, given in Prince, p.191): Georgius Cary S(acrae) T(heologiae) P(rofessor) Decanus B(eat)i Petri Exon(iensis), vir omnibus dignitatibus major quem ipsa latebra licet ei solum in deliciis non potuit abscondere. Nemo magis invitus cepit nemo magis adornavit cathedram ut lux e tenebris sic illustravit ecclesiam. In omnibus concionibus, hospitiis, conciliis antecelluit. Pectore, lingua calamo, praepotens. In justa causa nemini cedens; in injusta abhorrens lites. Fratribus in ecclesiae negotiis nunquam sese opposuit nisi rationibus et in his semper victor. Erga regem iniquissimis temporibus infractae fidelitatis: post reditum erat ei a sacris. Caelestem vero non aulicam petiit gratiam, quae tamen nolentem sequebatur, nam bis vocante Carolo Secundo, bis humillime respondit: Nolo Episcopari. Obiit die Purificationis B(eatae) Virginis A(nn)o Aet(atis) (suae) 72, A(nn)o Dom(ini) 1680". Translated as: "George Cary, Professor of Sacred Theology, Dean of the Blessed St Peter of Exeter, a man greater in all things worthy than concealment can hide... No man more against his will took possession of, no man more beautified a cathedral; As light out of shadow, thus he lit up the Church. In all assemblies, guest-chambers and councils he distinguished himself. In his heart, tongue and pen, (he was) exceedingly mighty. In a just cause ceding to no man; in an unjust (cause) abhorring strife. In affairs of business he never opposed himself to his brothers in the Church, unless for (good) reasons, and in those always the victor. Towards the king in the most evil times (he was) of unbroken fidelity. Afterwards to him was given back ((?)by those things which are holy). Indeed he sought heavenly grace, not grace in the court of kings, which nevertheless against his wishes followed him, for at the two-fold call of Charles II twice he replied in the greatest humility: "I am unwilling to wear the Bishop's Mitre" (lit: "to be bishoped"). He died on the day of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, in the year of his age 72, in the year of Our Lord 1680". The arms of his eldest son Sir George Cary (1654-1685), who erected the monument, are shown above: at dexter Azure, a chevron between three mullets pierced or (Davie of Canon Teign, Christow); at sinister: Or, a lion reguardant sable langued gules (Jenkyn of Cornwall).
context_page_description: Doctor George Cary, Professor of Sacred Theology, lord of the manor of Clovelly, Devon, was Dean of Exeter between 1663 and 1680. He was also Rector of Clovelly and of Shobrooke in Devon and Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles II. He was one of the Worthies of Devon of John Prince.
context_section_description: Doctor George Cary (1611–1680), Professor of Sacred Theology, lord of the manor of Clovelly, Devon, was Dean of Exeter between 1663 and 1680 (amongst other duties responsible for the maintenance and decoration of Exeter Cathedral). He was also Rector of Clovelly and of Shobrooke in Devon and  Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles II. He was one of the Worthies of Devon of John Prince (died 1723).
caption: Mural monument to Dr. George Cary (1611–1680), Dean of Exeter, Clovelly Church
exif: {}