LesleyScoble.com

I wrote THE WROUGHT IRON GATE in response to the #RagTagDailyPrompt Thursday: Wrought Iron.

The Wrought Iron Gate

The Wrought Iron Gate 

Behind the black wrought iron gate
Stands Saint-Bartholomew-the-Great
It was built in AD eleven hundred and twenty three
(that’s a long time ago, between you and me)

Rahere,
A prebendary of St Paul’s 
A canon of the clergy
Became unwell in the twelfth century 
with the lurgy
He had a vision while he was ill 
God spoke to him on Ludgate Hill
And told him to build a church and hospital,
If he did,  he’d save him from the plague
(I don’t know the details, they are vague)

Rahere agreed to build His church
(well you would)
But where to build? 
He’d need to search.

He found a plot of land in Smithfield
a small cemetery 
(in the annals of history)
but, it was royal land
He had to ask the king
(which was no easy thing)
Henry the First gave his royal permission
for Rahere to set about his holy mission
The contract signed and sealed
God delivered his part of the deal,
and the canon was thereby healed

Rahere now lies here
in a tomb 
of stone 
in the nave;
His grave
Is next the pews
for praying on the knees
below gothic galleries 
in St Bartholomew’s

I kneel to pray
At a pew
What can I say?
It was a silly thing to do.
Rahere! 
Can you hear me please?
Can you help me here?
My knees are not as supple as they were.
I cannot get up,
I cannot arise
I’m in surprise 
I’m feeling fraught 
My tension wrought
This was not my intention
Or my thought
when I came here 
to revere Rahere,
Today.


Lesley Clare Scoble, July 2023

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A little bit about St Barts

I am not religious, but I live close by to St Barts and sometimes visit there for the calm mystery it possesses. The history seeps from its very stones. There is also a ghost that walks with loud footsteps that echo at night. The caretaker who lives on site says so, so it must be true.

Hospital & Church Founder
Rahere founded St Bartholomew’s Church and Hospital in London. He lived during the 12th century and some believe that he was a courtier in the court of King Henry 1. The legend is that Rahere fell ill while on a pilgrimage to Rome (In the poem I use artistic license to locate his conversation with God on Ludgate Hill). Rahere vowed to God that he would establish a hospital if he recovered.
Upon his return to London, Rahere fulfilled his vow by founding the Priory in 1123.

St Bartholomew’s Fair*(see Post Post Script)
Rahere also established the St Bartholomew Fair (St Barts Church stands in the street, Cloth Fair). Bartholomew’s Fair was an annual event for trade and entertainment (shame that the fair doesn’t continue today).

The NHS
The hospital still operates today as a top National Health Service (NHS) hospital St Barts. The hospital is one of the oldest hospitals operating today (no pun intended). It stands as a symbol of Rahere’s philanthropy and dedication to helping the sick and suffering.

photos from my walk around the church

Sculpture of St Bartholomew by Damien Hirst

Post Post Script

The Return of St Bartholomew’s Fair

In my notes, I wrote what a shame it was that the St Bartholomew’s Fair no longer existed. Since writing this, I received this letter which states that the fair that dates back to the 12th century (and was last held in 1855) is returning. How about that as a coincidence?

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Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright, (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.