Chapter 13

Of Wolmer, crippled and there healed.

A CERTAIN sick man, Wolmer by name, oppressed with a grievous and long-standing disease, appeared wretched and pitiable to all that beheld him, for his feet hung destitute of natural vigour, his legs clave to his thighs, part of his fingers was twisted back to his hand. Supporting himself as best he could on two little stools he dragged behind him the heavy weight of his body. Domestic poverty followed to increase his trouble, so that, to a man who had strength neither to work nor to walk, the necessaries for a livelihood were wanting, and the double misery both of poverty and sickness affected him. And this calamity became the more grievous the longer it continued. For he was oppressed for about thirty years by this so great weakness and, either creeping somehow or other himself, or carried by the help of others, he used to sit in the church of the blessed apostle Paul in London, there asking alms of those that entered. Which having been done, now the acceptable time and year of blessing had come in which Rahere had laid the foundations of his most holy temple, and the fame of the new work -- as it were a most pleasant odour -- was spread abroad by the lips of all the people, so that it could in no wise escape him. And he, beside himself with a divine inspiration, conceived a pious longing in his mind to be carried to that place, to implore there divine help. And, having been carried thither by his friends in a basket, he fell prostrate before the altar, and offered up his humble prayers to heaven, urging upon the high and dreadful Judge the glorious merits of the blessed apostle, by which he might merit to obtain both forgiveness of his sins and health of body. And without delay that fount of pity which is open to cleanse the menstruous woman and the sinner, was present at his calling and made a stream of health and grace to flow forth from itself. Forthwith, the crookedness of his whole body being little by little loosened, his limbs -- hitherto condemned to earth -- stretch themselves upwards, and now, being set in their natural order, he was seen to go forth as a new man.

Hereupon what a great cry from those present was raised to the stars, what tears were shed for joy, what praises were offered to the Lord for so amazing a miracle, can be better conceived by a devout mind than expressed in words. The matter was forthwith published through the whole city and by its widespread report greatly kindled men of both orders, clerics and laymen. Thereupon noble matrons of the city watched there with nightly vigils, clergy and people rushing in crowds with great devotion of mind and readiness of heart thronged the place, and by their constant visitation made it and its founder famous.

 

The Book of the Foundation of St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield Rendered into Modern English from the original Latin version preserved in the British Museum, numbered Vespasian B. IX, by Mr. Humphrey H. King and Mr. William Barnard for use in the Records of St. Bartholomew's Priory by E.A. Webb.

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