Darrell Investigates The Apparition of The Virgin Mary In Evesham

Darrell had heard rumours that there  had been an apparition of  the Virgin Mary in Evesham, not recently, ……. but in the 8th Century ………

……… and that there is a statue in the town centre that depicts the story, well, this just too exciting, and Darrell was determined to find out more, well, it would have looked rude not too!

This is what he found out ………..

“The statue in the Market Place is a representation of the legend surrounding the origins of the town.  It depicts the swineherd Eof (or Eoves) on his knees covering his face at the apparition of the Virgin Mary, whose face is emerging from the canopy of trees.

Eof was an 8th century swineherd employed by Egwin, the third Bishop of Worcester, working in the forest area on the banks of the river, known locally as "homme".  The legend tells us that while Eof was searching for some stray pigs he was confronted by a vision of the Virgin with her two attendants. 

Partly in fear and partly in excitement he went to Worcester to tell Bishop Egwin what he had seen.  Egwin came to the same spot and after a period of prayer, the vision appeared to him in the same form, but this time the Virgin spoke to the Bishop, saying "This is the place I have chosen".   Egwin interpreted this message as an indication that the Virgin required a Church to be built on the spot in her honour and he set about establishing a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, becoming the first Abbot.  This resulted in the development of the town adopting the name of Eoveshomme (Evesham).  

Around the base of the statue you will see the River Avon depicted in the form of ripples of water and fish - but SPOT THE KEY!  The key related to an episode in the life of Egwin (later Saint Egwin) when, because of his strict and uncompromising criticisms of the lack of spirituality in the way the local people were living their lives, the more influential among them started to spread false accusations about him to the Pope and to the King.  Eventually the Pope summoned Egwin to Rome to account for himself. 

Egwin left for Rome, but as a sign of his penitence for any offence he may have caused the people, he locked chains around his ankles, dropping the key into the river in Evesham before he left, saying that he would not believe that his sins had been forgiven unless the chains had been removed. 

On arrival at Rome, one of Egwin's attendants went to catch a fish in the River Tiber for their meal and while it was being prepared for cooking, the key to Egwin's chains was found in the belly of the fish!  Egwin was exonerated by the Pope and he returned triumphant to resume his position as Abbot of the Abbey he had founded here at Evesham.”

How exciting and holy is all that?  Evesham just keeps on getting betterer and betterer!!!!