Writing on the Wall

Do take a careful look at the east end of St Lawrence Church in St Lawrence Street. The flushwork frieze has been restored, a worthy accompaniment to the work done on the whole church and its valuable new use as a cafe. The frieze dating from a will of 1488 is a fascinating and touching piece of medieval history right in the middle of town, because the chancel was built largely at the expense of John Baldwyn, a draper, who left a wife, Joan, but no children. Alongside symbolic panels, including the shears of his trade, the inscription reads:

Pray for John Baldwyn and Jone hys wyf and for all christen sowles