Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday, 15 October 2023

The crucifix of Bl. Edward Oldcorne


The Catholic Herald has an article about a current exhibition at Bar Convent in York which includes a crucifix that belonged to Bl.Edward Oldcorne SJ, and which appears to be the sole surviving secondary relic from those Catholics rounded up in the wake of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. The exhibition closes on November 16th.

Although mainly associated with his ministry and death in Worcestershire Oldcorne was born in York, so the loan of the crucifix to the museum in the city is especially appropriate.

 
The Wikipedia account of the life of Bl. Edward can be viewed at Edward Oldcorne

There is another biography, with additional information, together with a painted portrait of Bl. Edward, on the website of the Society of Jesus at Blessed Edward Oldcorne

There is also more about him and of his base at the Habington family home Hindlip Hall in the latter part of the posts in Church Tramp : Wanderings Through Old Churches and Beyond
 
Wikipedia has a history of Hindlip Hall - the old house was famed for its priest holes created by St Nicholas Owen - and which can be read at Hindlip Hall

South East View of Henlip House Hindlip
The former house at Hindlip Hall in 1776 but unfortunately destroyed by fire in the early nineteenth century

Image: B B Williams - antique-prints-maps.co.uk 

After the executions of Fr Garnet and Fr Oldcorne there appeared what was perceived as a miraculous pattern resembling an imperial crown in the grass at the Hall, presumably indicating their crown as martyrs.


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