At the churches of Leigh and Rouse Lench, above the doors, exteriorly,
is in each case a niche containing a figure--one of the Saviour, and
the other supposed to be of St. Peter. These examples of figures are
of rare occurrence in consequence of the destruction of all such
representations and images at the Reformation, and subsequently by the
Puritans. Above the western window of St. John's church, Bromsgrove,
are three figures of the full size of life, said to represent St.
Peter, St. Paul, and the Blessed Virgin. They are in a good state
of preservation, although they have no doubt been there 450 years,
and very likely escaped mutilation at the Reformation from the
great height they are from the ground; for the window is one of the
highest, if not _the_ highest, of all the western church windows in
the county. On the south wall of Eastham church are two rudely carved
bas-relievos, representing apparently the two signs of the zodiac, Leo
and Sagittarius, and on the wall of the chancel arch, facing the nave,
are two similar carvings--the one of the lamb and cross; and the other,
two lions' bodies united in one head. It is said the church belonged to
the Knights Templars, and hence these devices. The lamb and cross was
one of the ensigns of that body, but how do the other devices apply?
Are there any other similar relics in the county?
THE FIRST WORCESTER PRINTER.
John Oswen, of Worcester, who flourished about the middle of the
sixteenth century, was appointed by Edward VI, the printer of all books
for the service of the churches in Wales and the Marches, and he first
printed the New Testament here. Mr. Eaton, of this city, has one of
Oswen's books in his possession; it is entitled "The Godly sayings
of the old auncient faithful fathers upon the sacrament of the body
and blood of Christ. Imprinted the xi day of Oct. 1550, at Worcester,
by Jhon Oswen. They be also to sell at Shrewsbury." Are there any
other specimens of his printing existing in this city? Oswen printed
twenty-one books here.
KING CHARLES'S STAFF.
At the British Archæological Association's meeting in the Isle of
Wight, August, 1865, it was stated, in a paper contributed by Mr. H. S.
Cuming, that the gold-headed staff which Charles I leaned on during
his trial, and the head of which breaking off suddenly, made a great
impression on the King, as a bad omen, was in the possession of a lady
residing at Worcester. In the "Gentlemen's Magazine" for January, 1846,
the cane was said to be in the possession of Mr. Cooke, of Newclose,
Isle of Wight. Which account is correct, or has the relic (like many
others) miraculously multiplied? The writer would be glad to be
informed if it is in Worcester, and where it may be seen.
GIANTS.
In the churchyard of Ripple is a gravestone bearing the following
distich:
"As you passe by, behold my length,
But never glory in your strength."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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