A colourful pub sign in Ludlow – the Church Inn
It’s spring cleaning time and a chance to declutter. Which also means clearing out the 2014 summer holiday pictures I took that I haven’t “processed” and blogged about yet. So this is a collection of images of Ludlow, in Shropshire on the Welsh border, taken last August. I dare say the buildings don’t look that different today, but some of the summer flowers would be a bit of a giveaway.
A Ludlow street with one of the typical old timber-framed buildings
Another black-and-white building…
…and one that’s rather faded to grey
This little man is a supporter of…
…this brown-and-white building
There was rather pretty blue and white bunting everywhere…
…and a craft fair
I was drawn to this blue plaque and the heads either side…
Rather Celtic looking man on the left…
…a rather Roman woman on the right
According to the blue plaque placed by the Ludlow Civic Society, this is The Conduit. “This water supply point, given to the town in 1581 by Sir Henry Sidney, was moved here from the High Cross in 1743”.
I love a good old pub sign…
The sign of The Rose & Crown in Ludlow
The sign of Ye Olde Bull Ring Tavern – until I looked it up I thought it said Ye Olde Bull King
We had seen the main church from various directions and were very impressed by the treasures of the interior…
The Parish Church of St Laurence, Ludlow
Figure in a niche
There is some wonderful stained glass inside. The west window is perpendicular in style and filled with Victorian glass, showing the Lords of Ludlow Castle.
The west window above the door, showing the lords of Ludlow Castle
Below, to either side of the door, are more lords of Ludlow Castle…
Richard Duke of York and his son King Edward IV – this Richard was also father of Richard III
Edward Prince of Wales and the unfortunate Arthur, Prince of Wales, Henry VIII’s older brother, who died at the age if 15 in Ludlow Castle on April 2, 1502, and his heart is buried here in the chancel of the church
The crossing – above is the church tower with its eight bells
This painted ceiling dates from the 15th century, I think
I was very impressed by the golden organ – an historic Snetzler organ of 1764, still in its original case. This used to be in a gallery under the tower but was moved here by the Victorians and enlarged.
The impressive organ in Ludlow church…
…so shiny!
The wonderful Jesse window in the Lady Chapel of St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
A closer look – this is Jesse, portrayed as the father of King David and therefore an ancestor of Jesus. Above him in the window are the branches of his family tree
There is so much more in the way of stained glass, both medieval and Victorian, but here are just a couple of windows…
Three Marys – Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary and Mary Cleopas, a less famous Mary who turns up from time to time as a bystander in the New Testament
A subtle Victorian pre-Raphaelite look to this 1888 window in memory of Maria Nightingale
A colourful early 17th century tomb to Edward Walter and his wife Martha
Not sure who the guy in the middle is
A marble memorial to Theophilus Salwey, a director of the Bank of England, who died in 1760…
…love the marble skull
I particularly like this reclining lady, who is “expecting a joyful resurrection”…
…she is Dame Mary Eure, wife of Ralph, 3rd Baron Eure of Ingleby in Yorkshire – she died in 1602 at the age of 55
Viewed from just outside the church was this interesting-looking building…
…the coat of arms of Ludlow
The plaque below is in Latin and dedicated to a merchant called John Hosyer. The building is the Almshouse and he founded it in 1486. But it fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1758 at the expense of the corporation. I assume that’s when the plaque was put up.
I’ll finish with another interesting-looking personage, the prophet Isaiah. But I’m not sure what he is holding…
A woodcarving of Isaiah – not sure if he is holding a saw or a quill pen, or an ancient sort of document?
There were some lovely buildings in Ludlow – but somehow I missed the castle!
The Squirrelbasket 
patron saint of tree fellers?
For a moment there I believed you!
Out of interest I looked up who the patron saint of tree fellers is and found: Saint Hubert of Liege and John Gualbert are both patrons of forest workers. Gummarus is patron of woodcutters.
So now we know.
You think it is a saw then?
All the best 🙂
One of my favourite places- thanks for the trip down memory lane :o)
I have only been there the once, but missed so much that I would definitely like to go again. I don’t think it is too far from us by train for the day…
All the best 🙂
I too enjoyed your pictures of Ludlow we haven’t been there for so long. I have never visited the church. It looks amazing with so many interesting things to see. Sarah x
Although I am not very religious, I do love a good church – the stained glass, the gilding, the woodcarvings and marble statues. It is also a useful refuge when you feel you can’t walk any farther!
All the best 🙂
Oh ! I really enjoyed your pictures. Seeing as I lived so near Ludlow and I loved the place, its history, its beautiful black and white buildings. The craft fairs are always spectacular and if you haven’t been to Ludlow when the food festival is on well that’s a must . And of course when the Re enactors are at Ludlow Castle the place is absolutely brimming with visitors. Oh and my favourite is when the Antique market is there, it used to be every Saturday but I’m not sure about that now. Thanks for sweet memories.
Thank you for your response! I’m afraid some of those things I will never see, as we don’t tend to go to places when they are busy (such as Saturdays and food fairs)!
As for the re-enactors, that takes me back to my couple of days at college helping out as a camp follower with the “Sealed Knot” group. I recall staying up late stitching a lot of simple Roundhead collars.
Thanks for your memories.
All the best 🙂