18. The Red Prendragon Of Wales, a Roman Symbol.

The  Red   Prendragon  Of   Wales,  a  Roman   Symbol.

A devotional statue dedicated to the humble saint Francis of Assisi in the Church

at Higham-Ferrers, Northamptonshire, U.K.

The Franciscan tradition has been very strong in England in the Middle Ages, more so than the Dominican one which rose to pre-eminence in the Continent. Most english theologians ( Grosseteste,  Dun  Scotus, etc.),   de Montfort the Earl of Leicester, the great leader of the Westminster and Oxford Determinations butchered after his defeat at Evesham, the founder of the modern scientific method Sir Francis Bacon were affiliated   to the franciscan  social movement.

St. Alban, in the dress of a high roman official.

Glass-work in the Church at Higham-Ferrers, Northamptonshire, U.K.

(Although of the Anglican Faith, the roman tradition is valued, commemorated and respected in this area of England and reflected by the local people's behaviour and gentility).

St. Columban, in the dress of a roman catholic Bishop.

Glass-work in the Church at Higham-Ferrers in Northamptonshire, U.K.

Although of the Anglican Faith, the roman tradition is valued, commemorated and respected in this part of England somehow contributing to the gentility of behaviour of the local population.

The Syon Cope, located at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

It shows the Arms of the Order of Knights-Templar to which were affiliated

the most representative and powerful families of the Midlands, among which the

de Ferrers, Lord Tutburie, Earl of Derby were perhaps the most powerful  at  the  time   when   the  Sion  Cope   was   produced   and   used  in  worship..

The de Ferrers had by this time married into the bloodline of Robert Bruce

the King of Scotland, who was to offer sanctuary to the Order of the Knights-Templar when their Order was going to be disbanded after the death of Edward I.   This must have been highly unacceptable to the Plantagenets who had been coveting the Earldom of Derby and the honour of Tutburie since the times of King John.

However the whole story cannot be told here.

Central Section of Original Panel drawn by the blogger, a composition from the Bayeux Tapestry and the Syon Cope( a lithurgical priestly vestment with links to the Order of Knights-Templar supported by the powerful families of the Midlands in the times ofKing Edward I [1272-1307] who was married to Eleanor, the sister of Ferdinand III, King of Castille and Leon [ hence the presence of his Arms on the Syon Cope]. The Kingdom of Aragon had not yet been joined to Spain  then.

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A section of a Study by the blogger for a Panel which is a composition based on both the Bayeux Tapestry and the Syon Cope located at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The Bayeux Tapestry.

Frame 56-: Harold's Army is cut to pieces.

(An attentive and close inspection shows both the red Pendragon of Wales and the fallen Golden Dragon of Harold's Anglo-Saxon Army. )

(Note-: This blogger appears to be the first modern viewer to have noticed these details.)

Views of the principal Church at Higham-Ferrers in Eastern Northamptoshire.

The Pendragon, symbol of Wales.

Both the Pendragon of Wales and the alternative Golden Dragon of the Anglo--Saxons led by Harold, are shown in the above scene from the Bayeux Tapestry.

The red Dragon was the ancient sign of a roman legion which had resided for some time in England during the Roman occupation of that island. It was eventually adopted by Arthur the romanised Celtic King and taken over by Wales.

Question-: Does the presence of the Pendragon of Wales biting Harold's squire's lance indicate that a contingent of welsh archers was on William the Conqueror's side?

The original Art Work of the Pendragon shown here has pride of location in the Vestry of the principal Church in Higham-Ferrers, Nottinghamshire, which also shows fairly recent glass-windows ( ca. WWII) portraying St. Albanus as a high-ranking roman Officer and St Columban the Celtic missionary as a Roman Catholic Bishop. It also has a beautiful wooden statue of St. Francis of Assisi.

It was photographed by the amazed blogger during his visit to this town in 2004. This town is also twinned with a german Town.

Good on You oh good-willing people of Higham-Ferrers!

May Jehovah bless you all!

What a contrast to the people of Staffordshire and elsewhere in England for their shameful treatment of Ferrers' monuments and memories!

(Please note-: Double-click on pictures to enlarge.)