Wigan Album
Standish
8 Comments
Photo: Rev David Long
Item #: 27856
It bears the arms and initials of Ralph Standish, and the date it was installed, 1616 - 400 years ago this year.
It says something of the religious/ political atmosphere of the time that the pulpit which the Rector, a staunch anti-papist Puritan, gave to the Parish, should bear the arms of his Roman Catholic Patron.
I see the rat is upright on this one.
I've tried to find out how and why the Standish family took the owl and the rat as their symbol, but could find nothing beyond the idea that the owl is both wise and a fearsome hunter - and rats not very nice. Often heraldic symbols are puns, or 'cant' - as shown by the three dishes on the left, which are stand-ing on end... stand-dishes - geddit? I'm not sure whether there's something like that going on with the owl and the rat.
But, taking it as a simple picture, rather than as hiding something deeper, it shows wisdom and strength in control over nastiness.
The rat started to be depicted with its legs in the air - symbolising a creature which was already dead when the owl came along, or a supine creature surrendering to overwhelming odds - after 1715 when a later Ralph Standish unwisely sided with the wrong side in the Rebellion, and forfeited his lands to the Crown. He was subsequently able to redeem them - but probably never quite felt as in control of his own destiny as he once was.
So, if the rat's legs are in the air, the depiction is post-1715.
On the other hand - the arms of the Stanleys, Earls of Derby, the major power hereabouts, show an Eagle and Child... perhaps there's a reference to that, somehow.
Johno that is not a rat.
Sorry Eddie, it's the owl and the rat. Are you an old workmate of Alf Freemans ?
Johnno i am an old mate of alf freemans,but do i know you.eddie
No you dont know me Eddie, i've known Alf since we were kids, he's ok, could you give me a ring on 01257 422410, best time between 6 and 7, any evening.
Reverend.I will be attending the tour and look forward to seeing parts of the church otherwise off limits. Just as a matter of interest, could you shed any light on the large headstone at the bottom east end of the churchyard, adjacent Baxter Street. I watched it being put in and have noticed its now being populated with names. It doesn't look military, wondered if you knew who the names were ?
Another very interesting and historic carving from St Wilfred's presented by the Rev Long.