“On Thursday, 17 July, Cassandra (Austen) went into the town (Winchester) on some errand for her sister (Jane) and found, on returning, that she had had an attack of faintness. It passed off slightly, but soon returned, and she suffered greatly, crying out, ‘God, grant me patience, Pray for me oh Pray for me!’
Cassandra asked her if there was anything she wanted. She replied that she wanted nothing but death.
Mr. Lyford came and was able somewhat to relieve her, but by 7 p.m, she was unconscious and lay perfectly still save for a slight movement of her head with each breath.
Cassandra sat by her
for six hours, with a pillow on her lap to support Jane’s head which was nearly off the bed. Then, for two and a half hours, Mary (James Austen’s wife) relieved her. Cassandra came back at 3.30 a.m and an hour later, on Friday, 18 July, Jane Austen died in her sister’s arms” (Marghanita Laski)
Jane Austen was buried in Winchester Cathedral, in the north aisle, on the following Thursday morning, 24 July.
The burial date recorded in the cathedral Burial Register is incorrect: it is given as two days before she actually died!
Eileen Collins
