"Her chains became the silken bands of delight, and freedom itself was misery."
She was a beautiful and wealthy Spanish lady.
He was Sir John Bolle
an
Elizabethan adventurer and army officer.
In some versions of the tale, she was his prisoner,
(in Cadiz)
whom he treated with chivalrous courtesy,
as was his nature.
(Another version says that he was
a prisoner of the Spanish.)
(Another version says that he was
a prisoner of the Spanish.)
Before long, she found herself falling in love with him
and
begged that he take her away with him.
and
begged that he take her away with him.
Gently, he broke the news to her that he was already married
to a woman in Lincolnshire
and would not break his marriage vows.
"I in England have already A sweet woman for my wife;
I will not falsify my vow for gold or gain
Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain."
She showered Sir John and his wife with gifts of
gold,
gold,
jewels and embroidery.
Then,
Then,
her heart broken, she became a nun
and
spent the rest of her days in sorrow.
spent the rest of her days in sorrow.
...or so the story goes.
She was
Donna Leonora Oviedo.
There is a very lengthy ballad written about it
"The Spanish Lady's Love."
The museum in Louth, Lincolnshire
have a copy of a portrait of Donna Leonora,
have a copy of a portrait of Donna Leonora,
along
with a sumptuous red silk bedspread
with a sumptuous red silk bedspread
which she gave to Sir John and his wife.
Why on earth am I warbling on about this?
A couple of days I walked across the fields and along the quiet lanes
to this little church set deep in the countryside.
The estate and the church belonged to Sir John Bolle.
The Manor house is just to the right, beyond the trees.
Sir John died in 1606, aged 44.
It is said that the Spanish Lady's ghost appears at Sir John's other home, in Louth.
Why on earth am I warbling on about this?
A couple of days I walked across the fields and along the quiet lanes
to this little church set deep in the countryside.
The estate and the church belonged to Sir John Bolle.
The Manor house is just to the right, beyond the trees.
Sir John died in 1606, aged 44.
It is said that the Spanish Lady's ghost appears at Sir John's other home, in Louth.
Fascinating story. But why would the ghost appear in England if she lived in Spain?
ReplyDeleteAh, but her heart belonged to Sir John and she wanted to be near him... who knows? But it does make for a very unexpected and romantic tale associated with one of the smallest of our country churches.
DeleteOhhhhh, lovely story...
ReplyDeletePerhaps she grows tired of seeking him there, and comes here, now and then? One can hope....
There is the story of the ghost of A Lady In Green, who has appeared, in a very old local building, which is now a restaurant. I have tried to "speak" to her, but so far, no luck.
ReplyDeleteThought the sightings were in a room, which is now an upstairs Ladies Room. Talking with a long time employee, he told me the sightings were on the old stairway, up to 2nd floor. So next time, I'll have to linger there!!!!
Trouble is, the ambiance is perfect, but the food is a bit underwhelming.
But! There is the Lady In Green ghost!!!!
Good luck, Luna. I hope she is benign, and a good conversationalist! It is a shame the food isn't up to much, perhaps there will be a change of chef.
ReplyDeleteI have often been into the church to look at the alabaster monuments, but I have neglected the museum, that must be rectified.
That is an interesting looking church, is he buried there
ReplyDeleteApparently so, Bill. It is in dire need of some tlc, but like so many of these wonderful old buildings, it is slipping into decay.
Delete