Christian antiquities -- Great Britain; Folklore -- Great Britain; Great Britain -- Social life and customs; Manners and customs
A small bridge-chapel at Derby, dedicated to St. Mary of the Brigg, links
the past with the present. It most probably dates back to the fourteenth
century. Rev. J. Charles Cox, LL.D., in his "Churches of Derbyshire,"
traces with care the history of this old-time building. He says: "St.
Mary's Bridge--by which access was gained from Nottingham and the south
into the town of Derby, through whose streets lay one of the most
important thoroughfares from London to the north--must, in mediaeval days,
have been of considerable importance. It is pleasant to think of the busy
burgesses or men-at-arms turning aside into the Chapel of Our Lady for a
brief silent prayer, before crossing the Derwent, and plunging into the
forests that stretched out before them on the other side of the river."
There would, doubtless, be a gatehouse, built for defence and for levying
tolls, etc. On the chapel or gatehouse were placed the heads and quarters
of the priests who were martyred at Derby, on July 25th, 1588, when the
Jesuits were making determined efforts to win England back to Rome. "Two
resolute Catholic gentlemen" stole and buried the remains. Here have
worshipped the persecuted Presbyterians of Derby. About a century ago it
was turned into dwelling-houses, and later was used as a carpenter's shop.
In 1873, a Bishop's license was obtained, and once more it was used as a
house of prayer. We give, by the courtesy of Mr. Richard Keene, a view of
the chapel, from an interesting book published by him, in 1881, under the
title of "All about Derby," by Edward Bradbury and Richard Keene. The
picture is from the pencil of the late Llewellynn Jewitt, F.S.A., the
eminent antiquary.
Prior to the Reformation, the Chamberlains of Derby rendered annually to
the monks of the Priory of St. James two pounds of wax, for the privilege
of passing over St. James' Bridge.
[Illustration: OUR LADY'S CHAPEL, ROTHERHAM BRIDGE.]
On the old bridge at Rotherham, which spans the river Don, is still
standing the chapel of "Our Lady."
"The sacred taper's light is gone."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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