This afternoon we motored over to Sudbury to do our fortnightly 'big shop'. It's an interesting town in South Suffolk on the Essex border. It's probably rather bigger than Highdale, and the town has obviously been an important place in it's day. You'll get the idea when I tell you that there are THREE medieval churches in Sudbury - All Saints Church, St. Peter's Church and the 'Mother Church' of Sudbury, Saint Gregory's. Simon Theobald of Sudbury, who was born circa 1316, and became Bishop of London for some years, witnessed the peasant's Revolt on the 14th of June, 1381, and (rather ill advisedly as it turned out) took refuge, together with King Richard II in the Tower of London, where Simon was beheaded by a lynch mob. His mummified head was eventually returned to Saint Gregory's Church in Sudbury (which, from Simon's point of view probably didn't help much). The head is still there, though - it is kept in a glass case in Saint Gregory's Church, where it can still be seen - by request. If you are of a nervous disposition, I suggest you don't bother. I think he was probably no beauty at best, and six and a half centuries mummified don't appear to have improved things much.
Sudbury, as you can see, is well worth a visit though. The above building, which backs onto the river, is one of my favourites.
There are a great many half timbered buildings which are well worthy of inspection.
The above Church is Saint Gregory's where the head is kept.
Sorry to have been a bit macabre this time. Good night - Sleep well. You don't HAVE to go and look at him.
2 comments:
I was admiring the carved timbers on the gatehouse of the Dominican Friary ~ and then I thought 'Blimey they were doing all-right if this is just the gate-house.'
I couldn't resolve the date on the blue plaque, any ideas Mike?
Good Morning Crowbard. From memory the date on the blue plaque is, I think 1286; but this refers to the date of the foundation of the Dominican Friary. Just been checking that date on Google, and it varies a bit, but prior to 1247 is accepted. However the carved arch over the gateway (now filled in) illustrated, appears to me to be of a date somewhere in the 1400s. Not really my specific pigeon though, so I am open to correction.
Regards, Mike.
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