The Remembered Read Online Free PDF Page B

and the execution of Joan of Arc on May 30, 1431. It had taken a few weeks for news of her execution to reach Stamford, but when it did, there were great rejoicings. To the English, she was a convicted heretic, but to her countryman, she was the greatest of heros and they always fought with great energy when she rallied them. An English knight passing through Stamford had shared tales of her cunning and strategy. 'She 'eard voices telling 'er whot to do,' he had told them, assuring them that he knew she was a witch. 'If she was nay a witch, God would 'ave saved 'er,' he exclaimed to the large crowd at the public house. For this news and for his bravery, much ale was purchased for him. 'Aye, I saw 'er burned at the stake meself,' he proudly proclaimed. He then related that she was so important to the cause of the French that the English had burned her body thrice to ensure that no one could steal any of it for use as a religious relic. 'Boot, luk 'ere,' said he, 'I 'ave the cross that she cast 'er eyes upon just before she deed.' With that he produced a large brass cross out of a bag that he carried. 'Whot will you give me for it?' His price was too high and since he was traveling north toward Lincoln, he was sure that he would get a great sum for it at the cathedral.

Richard and John wished that they could have been to the burning. They imagined what it must have been like to watch the wood be set ablaze and wondered whether it would smell. 'sume dee we too will fight the 'orrible French,' they proclaimed. Richard and John remained close friends, despite their vastly different stations in life.

Religious piety was always an important part of life in Stamford, as evidenced by the several churches that occupied this market towne. However, despite its importance economically, Stamford still did not have a cathedral. John's father and others hoped that they could influence the Bishop of Lincoln that a truly magnificent edifice in the praise of God should be erected in Stamford.

Most everyone in the village of Easton-on-the-hill and in the towne of Stamford attended religious services on Sunday. Richard preferred to attend with John and often did. He couldn't understand any of the Latin and found the entire experience beyond interest or comprehension. John knew some Latin and occasionally explained some of the ritual to Richard, but mostly they just whispered to each other. Their interest lately was mostly regarding the girls that were in attendance.

John's ancestors had been instrumental in enlarging the All Saints' church in Stamford. It wasn't the largest church in towne, Saint Mary's had that distinction, and it didn't have a steeple, but Richard thought it was a wonderful church. It was the oldest church in all of Stamford, having been first mentioned in the Domesday survey that William the Conqueror had commissioned in 1086.

Richard never had an affinity for farming, but it was in the All Saints' church that the realization solidified within him that he really never would be a farmer. On this particular Sunday, Richard and John were whispering to each other, when suddenly, as the priest spoke he pointed to the west window, Richard looked and was awaken for the first time at the beauty of the glass of the church. The light bursting through the glass brought out the colors and seemed to come from the presence of God. Something in that moment spoke to his heart and he yearned to express his love of God through glass. He knew that he had to do that. He didn't even know what trade it was that did such marvelous work, but he knew that he wanted to do the same. The glaziers who had crafted the windows were true artisans. The great west window held the images of many biblical people, including prophets and The Lord Himself. The colored glass made the images come alive and suddenly the stories started to touch his soul.

'John, luk at the window. I want to make a magnificent window sumdee.'

'Aye, it is a luvly window,'