Chapter 28

Of Adwyn the carpenter.

ANOTHER man, named Adwyn, lived in a town which is called Dunwich on the sea-shore, who was so crippled that he had not the free use either of feet or hands. Indeed, with his calves cleaving to his thighs he could not walk at all, and with his hands bent backward he could do no work; he could scarcely carry food to his mouth with just the tip of his fingers, which, too, the stiffness of his sinews had crippled. In such grievous sickness he had already passed the years of his youth, and had attained to man's estate, but was not yet in control of his limbs. When the story of the miracles of the most blessed apostle reached him he began to raise his sorrowful spirit with a better hope and to promise himself that he would have health if he should be carried thither.

Therefore, because he was far from the said church, he paid the passage money and was set on a ship and, being carried to the church, was set in the hospital of the poor and supported there some time of the alms of the said church. Meanwhile, by the virtue of the apostle he began to revive and his longed-for health began to return bit by bit. And so at first, bent though he was, he made with his hands little things such as distaffs, weights [probably used to weigh bundles of wool for spinning], and other girls' gear. Next, as his steps grew stronger and his limbs enjoyed their natural vigour, he followed the more important works of those who cut logs with axe and hatchet, and not long after practised the craft of carpentry in the same church and throughout the City of London as he had been taught as a boy, blessing God whose eyes are on them that fear Him and on those who hope in His mercy.

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