In Norwich, Norfolk last Saturday members of an ancient guild were on parade, wearing colourful tabards and black felt hats, and carrying banners with depiction of the cross of St George.
The master stonemasons and their current apprentices of the Guild of St Stephen and St George set off from St Clement's church in Norwich and called at Norwich Castle and the Guildhall as part of their procession on foot through the ancient city.
Their particular guild has a history going back over one thousand years, its antecedent having been founded in the eleventh century!
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| Cheese for a 1:12 scale dollshouse of any period |
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| Miniature food, cheese and ale snack suitable for a stonemason |
And what would that skilled craftsman and his apprentice stonemason eat for their meal halfway through the long working day? MedievalMorsels would suggest it was most likely
rye or
mixed grain bread and
cheese !
And plenty of ale (small beer) to refresh and revive and rehydrate after hours of labour - dusty and physical work it must have been. The same today as always.
Saint Stephen was the Patron Saint of stonemasons. I suppose there is a clue in the name of the Guild come to think of it! A disciple of Christ he was martyred for blasphemy by stoning, which may be the main
reason he was adopted as patron saint by this guilded profession. His feast day is 26th December, mentioned in the Christmas Carol "Good King Wencleslas". In several European countries this remains a public holiday, but is more commonly known as "Boxing Day"in England. I'm pleased about that (it being a holiday I mean) because it's a special day for me - it just happens to be my birthday!
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