E. F. L.
Chaplains to the Forces.
—When was this appointment first made? and where is any list of the successive chaplains to be found?
G.
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,
H. CORVILLE WARDE.
Kidderminster.