Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 2.djvu/291

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Ebbsfleet, Isle of Thanet.—On the "desolate headland" where Augustine and his missionaries from Rome landed in 597, Earl Granville placed a Celtic cross in 1884. It is 18ft. high, and on the side facing the sea bears the following inscription:—

The thirteen hundredth anniversary of Augustine's landing was celebrated at Ebbsfleet, Canterbury, London, &c., in 1897.

Lutterworth.—Just outside the village, at the junction of the Coventry and Hinckley roads, an obelisk was erected to commemorate Wiclif in 1897. On the base are the following inscriptions:—

At a cost of 500l., raised by subscription in 1837, a mural memorial of Wiclif was erected in the church. It is placed at the east end of the north aisle wall, near where he is supposed to have been buried. It is the- work of Sir R. Westmacott, R.A., and consists of an alto-rilievo of white marble, representing various figures—students, priests and others, in an attitude of deep attention around the grand figure of the Reformer, who, with hand uplifted, is in the act of addressing, them. Below is the following inscription:—

the earliest champion of ecclesiastical reformation in England. | He was born in Yorkshire in the year 1324, | in the year 1375 he was presented to the rectory of Lutterworth: | where he died on the 31st of December 1384. | At Oxford he acquired not only the renown of a consummate Schoolman, | but the far more glorious title of Evangelic Doctor. | His whole life was one impetuous struggle against the corruptions | and encroachments of the Papal Court, | and the impostures of its devoted auxiliaries, the Mendicant Fraternities. | His labours in the cause of Scriptural truth were crowned by one immortal achievement, his translation of the Bible into the English tongue. | This mighty work drew on him, indeed, the bitter hatred | of all who were making merchandize of the popular credulity and ignorance: | but he found an abundant reward in the blessings of his countrymen, of every rank and age, | to whom he unfolded the words of Eternal Life. | His mortal remains were interred near this spot: but they were not allowed to rest in peace. | After the lapse of many years, his bones were dragged from the grave and consigned to the flames | and his ashes were cast into the adjoining stream.

Bedford.—On 10 June, 1874, a bronze statue of John Bunyan was unveiled by Lady Augusta Stanley. It was presented to the town by the Duke of Bedford, and stands on St. Peter's Green, a spot where five roads meet. The pedestal is of granite, and on the four sides are placed bronze relievos of scenes in 'The Pilgrim's Progress.' The sculptor was Sir J. E. Boehm, R.A., the head being copied

The three tons of metal used in casting the statue were provided "from bronze cannon and bells recently brought from China." Below the statue appears Bunyan's signature in facsimile, and on the pedestal is inscribed:—