The epitaph simply commemorated John Patye, canon of the prebend of
Cambremer, who died in 1540; but upon the same plate of copper with the
inscription, was also engraved the Virgin, with John Patye at her feet,
kneeling, and apparently in the act of reading from a book placed on a
fald-stool. Behind the priest stood St. John the Baptist, the patron
saint of the prebend, having one hand upon his votary's neck, while with
the other he pointed to a lamb.--In all this, there was still nothing
remarkable: unfortunately, however, the artist, wishing perhaps to add
importance to the saint, had represented him of gigantic stature; and
hence originated the story, which continues to the present day, to
frighten the old women, and to amuse the children of Bayeux.--
Once upon a time, the wicked canons of the cathedral murdered their
bishop; in consequence of which foul deed, they and their successors
for ever, were enjoined, by way of penance, annually to send one of
their number to Rome, there to chaunt the epistle at the midnight
mass. In the course of revolving centuries, this vexatious duty fell
to the turn of the canon of Cambremer, who, to the surprise of the
community, testified neither anxiety nor haste on the
occasion.
Pages:
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324