_John of Horsill._--Could either of your correspondents favour me with
an account of this worthy? Tradition states he held the manors of
Ribbesford and Highlington, near Bewdley (Worcestershire), about the
twelfth century. Several legends, approaching very near to facts, are
extant in this neighbourhood concerning him; one of the best
authenticated is as follows:
Hunting one day near the Severn, he started a fine buck, which took the
direction of the river; fearing to lose it, he discharged an arrow,
which, piercing it through, continued its flight, and struck a salmon,
which had (as is customary with such fish in shallow streams) leaped
from the surface of the water, with so much force as to transfix it.
This being thought a very extraordinary shot (as indeed it was), a stone
carving representing it was fixed over the west door of Ribbesford
Church, then in course of erection. A description of this carving is, I
believe, in Nash's _History of Worcestershire_, but without any mention
of the legend. The carving merely shows a rude human figure with a bow,
and a salmon transfixed with an arrow before it. A few facts concerning
this "John of Horsill" would be hailed with much pleasure by your well
wisher,