An entombed butler

Another very frosty start. I warmed up a bit in St Mary's, Ewelme. Here stands the magnificent altar tomb of Thomas Chaucer, son of the poet Geoffrey. Thomas was a courtier serving under five Kings of England (from Richard II to Henry VI). he was appointed as Chief Butler for life, a role which seems mainly to have involved  arranging the catering for  coronation banquets. He also attended fifteen parliaments as Knight of Oxfordshire  and was Speaker of the House five times. He managed to squeeze the siege of Harfleur into his busy schedule, but got a sick note for the Battle of Agincourt. All in all a busy and very well connected chap, no wonder his tomb is encrusted with heraldic shields. I left wondering whether the young Thomas had read, as I did, his father's Tales?