A Bishop and a Saint Walked Into a Pub...

We were thrilled when the Would family offered FOCH these splendid fellows to add to our growing collection.

They are two of four carved stone heads that were removed from the old Wheatsheaf Inn in Bargate when it was demolished by Messrs F.A. Would Ltd in 1947. 

An original 1947 newspaper report that came with the heads provides more information about them and includes an assertion from Mr A.E. Wade, principal of the Grimsby School of Art, that they were late 14th century. He theorised that they were originally from Wellow Abbey, which was established in Norman times and survived until the Reformation. If so, they are indeed an exciting acquisition for us and we would love to discover more about their history.  In terms of distance, they didn't move far from the Abbey's site in the vicinity of Abbey Drive, but where were they for more than three centuries during the period between the dissolution of the monasteries in Henry VIII's reign and their reappearance at the Wheatsheaf pub in the late nineteenth century?

A Telegraph reader wrote at the time that "It is a matter of historical interest that they should be carefully preserved and available for public inspection and appreciation." Well, the Would family have done their job in preserving them and before too long we hope to be able to put them on display for the public to inspect and appreciate.

Click here to see more photographs of these.

Visit Rod Collins' website to view some research into the history of Wellow Abbey.