Peace and Tranquillity

Whilst staying with my Mum for the week I decided to take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather and take a trip up to Berkeley in Gloucestershire to visit the 13th century church of St Mary the Virgin. I read about the church recently and couldn't believe that I've visited Berkeley many times but had always missed this gem. It is situated next to the Edward Jenner Museum and Jenner himself, the discoverer of vaccination, is buried inside in his family vault by the altar.

Inside, the walls are covered with paintings. There are lots of patterns and designs, some of them almost contemporary looking. They are very lovely and a feast of inspiration. I should have had my sketchbook with me as well as my camera!

There are heads carved into each of the many pillars. On one are these two ladies' heads close together surmounted by a toad. This is a sermon in stone to teach that gossip is like the poisonous tongue of a toad and the colouring is mediaeval.

I wondered if this one represented a 'scold' or was a lesson in keeping your counsel. Perhaps it is another head cautioning against gossip or 'idle talk'.

Outside in the churchyard there are some wonderful tombstones, the best being a table tomb to Dicky Pearce, the last jester buried in England. He was the Earl of Suffolk's jester, killed in revels at Berkeley Castle in 1728 and his epitaph was written by Jonathan Swift of 'Gulliver's Travels' fame.

The words on the tomb say ' Here lies the Earl of Suffolk's fool. Men called him Dicky Pearce. His folly served to make folks laugh. When wit and mirth were scarce. Poor Dick alas is dead and gone....'