Walker Monument Approximately 20 Metres South Of Chancel Of Church Of St Andrew

The Walker Monument, located approximately 20 metres south of the chancel of the Church of St Andrew in Leyland, is a raised monumental slab dating from around 1588. It commemorates William Walker, who served as Clerk of the Parish of Leyland and died in 1588. The monument is made of sandstone and features a rectangular slab set on a low stone base.

The surface of the slab displays a unique life-sized primitive figure, created with incised lines that convey a sense of flowing simplicity. Surrounding the figure is a continuous inscription that runs around all four sides, starting at the head and reading:

"HEARE LIETH THE BODIE OF WILLIAM WALKER BATCHELOR OF MUSICKE OF THIS PARISHE OF LEYLAND FOR THE SPACE OF XXV YEARES AND DYED THE XX APRIL 1588."

The name "Walker" is now worn and nearly illegible. Above the figure's head is another inscription that reads:

"Musica Mentis Medicina Maestae," which translates to "Music the Medicine of a Sad Soul." To the left of the head are the initials "B R:C," and below the feet is a Latin phrase:

"Nulla die sine Linea," which can be roughly translated as "No day without a purpose," along with the initials "W.F. Esq," likely referring to William Farington.

Historically, this monument may have connections to Shakespeare, as it is believed that he spent time in the households of the Hoghton and Hesketh families during the 1580s. William Farington of Worden has been suggested as a possible inspiration for the character Malvolio in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," which contains the line "If music be the food of love, play on," echoing the Latin inscription on the monument. It is noted that during an inspection in June 1992, the monument had been disturbed, with the slab turned at right angles and pushed off its base, although it was not defaced.