Archive for September, 2023

Visiting the home of Mary Jones

Recently I visited the home of Mary Jones (1784-1864) in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, Wales.

As mentioned in a previous post I have visited places associated with the story of Mary Jones and her Bible over the past few years.

My intrigue in this historic story is continuing to broaden.

On this leg of my journey we returned to Bala and to the grave of Thomas Charles eventually making our way to the home of Mary Jones.

It was from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant that Mary worked and saved for around six years to buy her Bible. From this house (known locally as Tyn-y-ddol) Mary set off on her voyage to walk around 26 miles across the Welsh countryside to get her Welsh Bible from Thomas Charles. The story is legendary!

For me however, visiting this house is like being on a Protestant pilgrimage. It’s a beautiful little place and there’s a local church where the parents of Mary Jones are buried. Contrary to the published Sunday school versions of the story Mary’s father had died long before she got her Bible. Jacob Jones died in “1789” and his gravestone confirms this. At that time Mary Jones would have been about 4 years old.

Nevertheless the story is true in it’s essence and it’s impact on history is incredible.

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The Sentencing of George Marsh

Chester Cathedral © 2013 Simon Peter Sutherland

In 2015 Chester Cathedral put on a series of “scheduled short re-enactments” of the trial of George Marsh. These took place in the Consistory Court between 10th – 12th September.

The play was called “The Sentencing of George Marsh” and was performed exactly eight years ago.

At the Cathedral that day one of the ministers prayed a long prayer and remembered Marsh and all those who have suffered for the sake of the gospel, and for all those who are still suffering for the sake of the gospel. The minister read out the Lords Prayer and the re-enactment began. The beat of the drum sounded and the actors walked up the central aisle. As the telling of the story began the narrator explained how George Marsh was born in Deane and how he was accused of heresy. It was the Bishop of this very Cathedral (George Cotes) who had Marsh executed.

The Sentencing of George Marsh did not re-enact the burning and Marsh kept his Book in his hand throughout the trial.

It was a fitting re-enactment in memory of Marsh and I viewed it as a real breakthrough. To my knowledge no such acknowledgement had ever been done before. For me, to hear the prayer and watch the re-enactment was very significant and showed me how the Church of England can recant its failings in future years. It was a hopeful moment.

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