P is for PARKES, a Coventry Gladiator

My offering for ABC Wednesday:  It's Halloween and what could be better than a gravestone, a real gravestone, in memory of a real gladiator by the name of John Parkes.  

the inscription reads:
“To the memory of John Parkes, a native of this city he was a man of mild disposition. A gladiator by profession, who after having fought 350 battles in the principal parts of Europe with honor and applause, at length quit the stage sheathed his sword and with Christian resignation submitted to the grand victor in the 52nd year of his life Anno 1733”.

A Gladiator you say?  The BBC put together a wonderful paper telling us all about John Parkes....have a look HERE.

Walkway to Old and New Coventry Cathedral
John Parkes memorial to the left

For more 'P' photographs follow the link to ABC WEDNESDAY and Happy Halloween !!!