Another Flitch Custom
A bacon custom, not unlike that of Dunmow, existed at Wichnor, a
little place near Lichfield. It originated in a jocular tenure by
which Sir Philip de Somerville held the Manor from Edward III. In
memory of that tenure a wooden Flitch of Bacon is displayed to this
day above the great fireplace in Wichnor Hall. The oath was to the
following effect--
Hear ye, Sir Philip de Somervile, lord of Whichenoure, maintainer and
giver of this Bacon, that I, A, syth I wedded B, my wyfe, and syth I
had her in my kepying and at wylle, by a Yere and a Daye after our
Marryage, I would not have changed for none other, farer ne fowler,
richer ne pourer, ne for none other descended of gretter lynage,
sleeping ne waking, at noo time, and if the said B were sole and I
sole, I would take her to be my wyfe before all other wymen of the
worlde, of what condytion soevere they be, good or evyle, as helpe me
God, and Seyntys, and this flesh and all fleshes.
The foregoing words are inscribed below the Flitch. There is a
reference to them, in one of Horace Walpole's Letters.
To an applicant who was a "villeyn" corn and a cheese were given in
addition to the Flitch. A horse was also provided to take him beyond
the limits of the Manor, the free tenants of which were to accompany
him with "trompets, tabourets, and other manoir of mynstralcie."
Pennant, who went to "Whichenoure House" in 1780, says the local
Flitch had "remained untouched from the first century of its
institution to the present." He also avers that "the late and
present worthy owners of the Manor were deterred from entering into
the holy state from the dread of not obtaining their own Bacon!" The
present owner of Wichnor, or Wychnor Park, is Mr. T. B. Levett. The
Lord of the Manor is Lord Lichfield. In the Lichfield Road there is
a "Flitch of Bacon" inn as there is in Little Dunmow.
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[Illustration: "FAIR MATILDA", TOMB OF THE LADY JUGA]
"FAIR MATILDA."--This is a photograph show in greater detail the
pathetic face of the effigy traditionally supposed to be that of
Fitzwalter's daughter.
TOMB OF THE LADY JUGA, who founded the Priory in 1104.
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[Illustration: FISH-POND OF THE MONKS, DETAIL OF CARVING]
FISH-POND OF THE MONKS.--Site of one of a remarkable series of fish
ponds--it may also be mill-ponds--which extend from near Priory Place.
DETAIL OF CARVING.--From the choir stalls of the church. Note the
flying pig, conceivably an allusion by some waggish monk to the
Flitch ceremony!
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